Bender is kinking the tube

[GRMhick]

I finally got a bender. The cheapie manual bener from Mtech suppily, with the 5.5" 1.75" die. ANyway, I went to go try it out and see how I do bending tube, and I got it to the point that it kinks the tube like the muffler tubing you see at the auto parts store. WTF is going on. The tube I am practicing with is 1.75" .095 (I think thats the thickness, it may be .065). Is the tubing too thin?? What could I be doing wrong?

[stomper4x4]

minnimun wall thickness for a 1.75x 5.5" die i belive is .095"

Is it wrinkling the tube or is it just a small distortion around the inside of the bend from start to end??? If its the latter then it normal......

[GRMhick]

Its wrinkling the tubing. Let me go measure the tube and see fi I can get a pic of it. The yard in gilroy wants close to $70 a stick for .120 new, so I need to get this down.

[GRMhick]

ok, first piece I bent was .065. That bend didnt even look like it was bent in a profesional bender. Scond piece was of .095 which is what this pic of of (uploading now)

[GRMhick]

http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/628000-628999/628132_29_full.jpg

[TheRipper]

I am not sure what the bender look's like.But if it is one of those types that bends straight up the center I would assume it is the thickness.The .120 wall should bend a lot nicer.You might ask the guys at your steel yard if they have a short piece they will sell so you can test.If not buy a stick of herew to check with.Also double check your tubing size to make sure they did not give you the wrong size tube.I had the steel yard try to do that to me one day.Also lube the side the tube slides in.Is it fitting very tightly in the die?If not that is your problem.If you do use any herew try to keep the seam to the inside of the bend.

[TheRipper]

Just realized what bender you have the model 3.It has to be the thickness or tubing.

[Scout Dude]

Are you placing the follower die in the correct hole position? My 1.75 x 6.5 clr uses hole 7 I think...you should be around 5 or 6.

[jeeplord]

You're just going to have to suck it up and practice on the .120 wall. After your second bend you'll be a pro.

[bluesman2a]

You're just going to have to suck it up and practice on the .120 wall. After your second bend you'll be a pro.

Yeah, on your THIRD bend then you can start waxing philosophical about "more triangulation"... :flipoff2:

[GRMhick]

Ya, I am oiling it with 3 in 1 oil. Follower is in the right hole (but is there supposeted to be something under it to hold it in place?) etc. I guess I will just have to try with some .120. OF all places, I found that wicked fab is 2/3reds the price of my local steel yard. Go figure.

[TRD]

Use wheelbearing grease on the thinner shit. It does make a difference!

[Trick-Tools.com]

Let me try and help, I assume you are bending mild steel or DOM, right? .065 will not work, the spec on your die set is for .095 wall and heavier. You should be able to use .095 without a problem. Make sure you lube the followbar good, use a heavy paste lube that has a high shear strength ($9.95 a pint, lasts a long time). Then make sure your tube is not slipping in the clamp. Also, confirm that your inserts in the followbar are placed in there correct spots, one has a taper to it. You should be able to get it working nicely!