I think bent square tubing looks cool, but I'm not sure if I could justify the costs of a square tube die set without having a few ideas for what I could do with it. What kinds of projects have you done or would suggest for bending square tube? If anyone has pictures, I would love to see them. :)

Maybe this post should be warmed up with another question. Pro-tools lists their 1.5" square die set for up to 0.083 wall. What would happen if you used it for 0.120 wall? Will it break the die/bender or will it just result in a poor quality bend?

I've done a number of projects with mine... Flat fenders, bumpers, etc. It looks more distinctive than round tube for some things, looks like shit for others. On my JD-2 I've bent exclusively .120 wall. no problems.

projects:
Desk
flat fenders
bumpers
http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=bluesman2a&album_id=185218

http://www.printroom.com/ViewAlbum.asp?userid=bluesman2a&album_id=143878

I really like the square tube & diamond plate on those flat fenders bluesman. Looks good.

if you have lathe access, just make your own sq tube dies..... or you can
even just stack plates to make dies..... 1" plate cut in a circle, then a 1/2"
plate above and below.....

or even aluminum for the center forming die...

--Sherpa

Maybe this post should be warmed up with another question. Pro-tools lists their 1.5" square die set for up to 0.083 wall. What would happen if you used it for 0.120 wall? Will it break the die/bender or will it just result in a poor quality bend?

I think the .083 is a minimum wall thickness so it doesn't collapse.

if you have lathe access, just make your own sq tube dies..... or you can
even just stack plates to make dies..... 1" plate cut in a circle, then a 1/2"
plate above and below.....

or even aluminum for the center forming die...

--Sherpa

Sherpa -

Got a pic? I have a lathe, and think I understand, but not sure - I would love to do this for a bed project I have been waiting on.

Jim

I've done a number of projects with mine... Flat fenders, bumpers, etc. It looks more distinctive than round tube for some things, looks like shit for others.

Thank you for the pictures. It's great to get a visual on some things you can do with bent square tube.

Any others???

I think the .083 is a minimum wall thickness so it doesn't collapse.

You are absolutly correct. The bender should not have a problem with the .120 wall. and the .120 wall will actually look better (as far as bending deformation) then the .083 wall.

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http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/btez-animated-1.gif

i've built roof racks from 16g 3/4" sq. look good IMO.

Anyone here actually have the 1" or 1.5" protools square dies? I have wanted to get the 1" for a while for doing thing like rad mounts and battery trays, seat mounts.

I really like the look of the flat surface. Is there much twist to the tubing after the bend?

If someone was to get a square tube die, what would be the best size to get and why?

ttt - Still consdering a square tube die set.

if you have lathe access, just make your own sq tube dies..... or you can
even just stack plates to make dies..... 1" plate cut in a circle, then a 1/2"
plate above and below.....

or even aluminum for the center forming die...

--Sherpa


I think there is something to this idea, to add to this you one can use round free weights, maybe the 10 lb. ones would work for the diameter. Maybe I'll do something within the next year. Here is another idea, going with the stacking concept. Maybe you could make it so that that stacks can be taken off and on so that you could use different size square tubing with one die set. For the following block you can probably use the four sides of the block for four different sizes of square tubing, you should be able to at least get two. Just thinking for efficiency.
By the way those are definately some good looking fenders . Good job on something different. :smokin:

Bringing this back from the dead..........here's a "lumber" rack I'm working on for my beater F250. I wanted to do sq tube because it's different, and there still seems to be some mystique around bending square, even tho by all accounts it's easier to work with than round.

I'm not posting this to say "look how cool my shit it is" because I'm still fumbling my way through tube bending; this is merely an example of something built w bent sq tube. The rack is certainly not finished, but most if not all of the sq tube bends are in place, thus its relevance to the thread is complete.