bishbosh Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Now that I have finished all the jobs on the 90 and will have plenty of time on my hands going forwards :hysterical: I am looking at a new project. So, rather than faff about with minor modifications, I am going to build a tube framed buggy. To achieve this, I wil need to bend lots of stainless steel 10mm tube, yes, that's right I did say 10mm. What I didn't say is that it will be 1/5 scale and eventually radio controlled So, will a brake pipe bender be man enough? I supose for less than a tenner delivered it is probably worth a punt... Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landmannnn Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 My central heating usues 10mm copper pipe, proper plumbers pipe benders are available for this size. I guess the challenge is the tight radius bends you will need and stopping the pipe kinking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lrfarmer Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 Now that I have finished all the jobs on the 90 and will have plenty of time on my hands going forwards :hysterical: I am looking at a new project. So, rather than faff about with minor modifications, I am going to build a tube framed buggy. To achieve this, I wil need to bend lots of stainless steel 10mm tube, yes, that's right I did say 10mm. What I didn't say is that it will be 1/5 scale and eventually radio controlled So, will a brake pipe bender be man enough? I supose for less than a tenner delivered it is probably worth a punt... Any ideas? cant think a brake pipe bender will be man auff but a plumers pipe bender (copper pipe)may take it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted February 20, 2010 Share Posted February 20, 2010 A plumber pipe bender is likely to kink/ripple it on the inside I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Make a bender to suit, if you can. Maybe this will help, just rescale the design for 10mm pipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 If it's only 3ft long, does it matter if the tubes are slightly rippled? Apart from the aesthetics (aka p*sstaking) it would probably be strong enough with the tubes cut at 45' and butt welded at right angles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted February 21, 2010 Author Share Posted February 21, 2010 Thanks for the suggestions all. No lathe here so making one will be a challenge. Turbo - mitred joints? I don't think so! I think the right tool for the job is THIS ONE but it is not cheap..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Why not use 10mm solid bar? easy to bend in a smooth rad and wrinkle free, and no need for expensive tools... ....unless you are looking to make a super light rock crawler -RC- to enter the King Of The Toffee Hammers next year Steveb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Attryde Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 The swagelok tool will give absolutely perfect bends (I used to use one for installing specialist gas lines using 316 stainless.) As you say pricey. It may pay to do a search for one made by Parker as they used to be cheaper and nearly as good. Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 solid 10mm stainless bar is going to weigh alot!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitmole Posted February 21, 2010 Share Posted February 21, 2010 Hi, have got one of those tube benders, seen a bit of use now but still works ok, welcome to borrow it if you want, am only over in Bath. Have you thought of maybe using ali tube? ss will be a bit of a pig to weld up in that size/wallthickness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Wightman Posted February 22, 2010 Share Posted February 22, 2010 Hi, have got one of those tube benders, seen a bit of use now but still works ok, welcome to borrow it if you want, am only over in Bath. Have you thought of maybe using ali tube? ss will be a bit of a pig to weld up in that size/wallthickness. So ally in that size/wall thickness is easier to weld than stainless steel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitmole Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 yeah loads easier!! What I mean is that ali tube could lend itself to a lot more ways of connecting into a chassis,for the same or less weight you will get a thicker wall and it will bend much easier,and have a smaller id which can be tapped and a bolt used to make a joint, or if required, will respond quite nicely to using one of the lumiweld type joints. If I was going to tig it up i would opt for ali just because the wall would be thicker and the weld on that size could be dressed easily afterwards, ss will draw oxide through from the back if not purged and look carp very easily, besides being harder to bend without rippling the wall. Of course ss could always be brazed together. Just trying to offer an alternative line of thinking and a tube bender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted February 23, 2010 Author Share Posted February 23, 2010 Hi, have got one of those tube benders, seen a bit of use now but still works ok, welcome to borrow it if you want, am only over in Bath. Have you thought of maybe using ali tube? ss will be a bit of a pig to weld up in that size/wallthickness. Ohhh! Thanks very much! Is it for 10mm tube? If so, a forum relay would be great..... On the welding front..... well I've got to learn sometime! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveG Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Bish, surely you can bend it around your knee?? For tighter radius bends you could use your ankle or a small childs knee! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitmole Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Bish, pm sent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticbadger Posted February 23, 2010 Share Posted February 23, 2010 Hi Bish, what scale / axles / motor are you planning? Sounds like a fun idea! I've broken standard plumbing type pipe benders trying to bend 10mm mild steel tube before, so you'll need one of the professional/industrial machines linked above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted February 24, 2010 Author Share Posted February 24, 2010 Well, after a bit of "research" (i.e. listening to a grown up! ) I think I might pursue ali - brazing or lumiweld would give me the chance to stick it all together. Besides, the stainless tube was going to cost me £50!! PB - axles - not sure. There is a 1/5 scale 'yota setup available from the states but not exactly cheap! So not really an option unless my ship comes in. Alternatives are going independent and lifting parts from HPI / FG buggies, which would solve a lot of geometry / propshaft issues but doesn't really inspire me! Last, but probably the most interesting is convincing, let's say, an "interested party" to fabricate some. I don't think it will take much convincing to get him on board! (You know who you are!!! :D ) Engine wise it will probably be a 26cc chainsaw stylee motor, although I haven't ruled out electric yet. At one stage I was seeing if I could make a winch motor work!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 if its going to be scale, you can't go wrong with RC4WD stuff. Top quality. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishbosh Posted February 24, 2010 Author Share Posted February 24, 2010 I may not go wrong Ross, but I'd certainly go hungry!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 I know what you mean!! . Can't think of the size of them, but Tamiya Clod buster axles might be worth a look. But they are motor on axle type. I would not rule out electric yet.. some great 'leccy systems out there . This place is a fountain of knowledge for RC offroading: http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plasticbadger Posted February 24, 2010 Share Posted February 24, 2010 That RC4WD website has got some seriously nice bits on it, I could definately spend more on there than I have in mind for buying my next project truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveG Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Bish sounds like you are building of of these... or the all weather version.. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbocharger Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 Ok, more helpful suggestion. At this scale and stress I'd seriously consider adhesive bonding instead of brazing or welding? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted February 25, 2010 Share Posted February 25, 2010 1/5th scale is going to need some pretty expensive, and specialised adhesives! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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