bender is plumbed and working

[andyr354]

Got the thing setup.

a 50yr old pump salvaged from a DC power unit, a 1.5 hp motor off an auger, spool valve off an old piece of farm equipment, a resavour off I don't know what, and some new hoses and couplers.

Got $60 in the hydro part of it and it works great. Still need to mount the valve it is just sitting there at the moment.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/andyr354/trailkrawlin/toylet/PICT2945.jpg

[guidolyons]

That's the ticket! All from "recycled" parts. Now, if I just had some cool junk like that laying around to build mine :D

[TheBandit]

Looks like a good use of here-and-there parts, but are those water pipe elbows? I don't think those are rated to hydraulic working pressures!

[andyr354]

Never even thought about it I guess. Out here in farmer country they get used for that all the time. haven't had any problems yet.

They are the only type of elbows and Ts the farm supply store stocks.

[jeepnmatt]

post some pics of the pump and motor "assembly"

[Gabe88]

I'm sure you have a complete write up thread about how you did all this somewhere hiden in this huge site?......

[andyr354]

beter pic of the motor and pump.
The block on the back of the pump with the lever on top is a single acting valve that I am not using. This pump was pulled from an old power unit that operated the hoist on a early 50s gmc farm truck.

I need to wire a switch into the motor wiring and get it buttoned up, I am not condoning exposed wirenuts for safety.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v323/andyr354/trailkrawlin/toylet/PICT2944.jpg

[andyr354]

one tip... if you are beginning bender and start with a hydro... don't forget to take the followbar out before you retract the cylinder. I now need to buy a new followbar. It still works, but the front die is somewhat crooked (old style bar)

Also, I have read the bending 101 here on the site but it does not cover things such as preparing the tube to bend. Should I be using lube on the tube when bending.

For the few test bends I made I used some WD40 and a rag to clean all the oil and grit off the tube and then stuck it in and bent it.

Also does anybody have the little magnetic degree pointer that tricktools sells? How do you like it?

[andyr354]

I'm sure you have a complete write up thread about how you did all this somewhere hiden in this huge site?......

Not really. I bought the bender as it sets but with no hydro pump.

Plumbing up the hydrualics is no big trick. Just lucky enough to have everything I needed laying around except two 2' hoses, some fittings, and the coupler between the motor and pump.

I did order a filter to put in the return line as well as a pressure guage to put on the port on the valve going to the back side of the cylinder.