Air over hydraulic tubing bender build

**aaxiss** · 04-15-2011, 06:00 AM

ok this project is doable with a drill press. you just have to steo uo in increments to the big bits. I have the pictures on my phone will try posting to this thread later from my phone. The step drills are nice for the starter holes but you need HSS 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4. 7/8, 1" 1-1/8, 1-1/4,1-3/8 . I stepped up in that order doing the 7/8 in holes today and had no problem. I will tell ya, my buddies new delta Drill press got a workout today and the 3/4 hp motor inst enough IMO. Need a 1 hp motor drill press Min I think. My Bits are sharp and I stalled the motor quite a few times with the 7/8 bit. I am also goint to buy a cheap drip cooler for the bit . something like this with a low vol cheapo pump from HF, a catch pan under the press table and a filter so the pump isn't sucking metal shavings.

I plan to make four of everything next time so I can sell them , got 2 sold to friends already. .... ok now to try the pics with the phone. brb... maybe lol

Attachment 1638 Attachment 1639

ok if this worked pictures should be above this text :p what a pain, had to upload to picassa the dl on this pc then re-up then to forum rofl

**SeanMurphy265** · 04-19-2011, 12:49 AM

How's the build going? I'm looking forward to see how this turns out. I've been going over the free plans by Pro-Tools, still debating on the ones for Got Trikes.

**aaxiss** · 04-19-2011, 04:55 AM

Not as fast as I had hoped unfortunately, got the upright parts that hold the follower die (bottom) Drilled and Most of the metal cut . just waiting for my Powertig to arrive so I can make use of the spot weld feature rather than using stick to spot weld it up. cut all the small square pieces of 1/2 I needed to make the ram support but I cheated on them ( Used the mill again hehe ). don't have my band saw yet and didn't want the noise of the chop saw trying to cut 1/2 x 3" plate. had to dig out the coolant feed unit and hook it up but after that I could just let it rip on the mill as fast as I could crank the index wheel.

Soon as my Powertig is here I will be posting and making progress daily... sorry for the delay on this one.

**Wookie** · 04-19-2011, 09:01 PM

cool they released the prints for this i think i just have to make one or a few of these pro tools benders

**acourtjester** · 05-26-2012, 04:18 PM

HI
Here are a few mods I did when I built my Gettrikes Bender.
First I use a roller under the tubing it worked much better then the slide block and no grease needed. Next is a clamp that I put on the tubing so I can bend beyond the degrees of the die. I did not like the Pro-tools clamping mechanism so I ordered my dies with out them and made my own type (see Pictures).
The Gottrikes bender is just a better design and its portability is a big plus.

Have fun
Tom