V Vs. U

[CMunger]

Just wondering aloud and wanting some feedback from people. The "assumptions" with question marks are what I think, interested in your experiences. I've noticed pretty decent consistency within one brand of 60d's on the shape, but different metals have yielded different shapes, but at the range I've got, I can't really tell by feel. I've read that the V is a telltale sign about the hardness of the metal, but I want to verify that before I rank my metals.

6" Grade 5 - V

5" Grade 5 - sharper V?

6" Grade 8 - sharper yet V

6" Grade 9 - sharpest V out there?

1/4" hrs - U, with the shorter the sharper

1/4" crs - sharper U, shorter the sharper again

Now when you get into larger 5/16" steel, is HRS more U than Red, with FBBC more V'd than Red?

Do any of you multi-technique benders (UH, DO, Reverse) notice any differences on the same steel with different techniques?

Thanks.

[foggymountainmuscle]

If I am interpreting your observations right, you are saying the harder and shorter a piece is, the more of a V shape it takes on. The thicker something is, definately the more U it takes on. I would venture a hypothesis that the more metal that is moved or warped, the more of a U shape it takes. Now I think another interesting question to ask is, what are the effects on the shape of a smooth bend vs a bend that was completed in stages. I would guess, based on my previous statement, a bend done in stages will produce a more V shaped bend.

Now as for multiple styles, I did some 60d timber ties DO, DU, old terminator style, verticle style, and slim style. I'm not sure it made a difference because they are finished off in the same manner, a crush down. If I had to make a decision I'd say the DO looks the most like a V. I think this may have to do with the amount of area that the force is applied over. With slim style the pressure is pretty spread out, with DO it feels like your force is concentrated in the center of the nail.

[Tylerm]

I noticed a difference in a U or a V shape the other day when bending 6" x 1/4" grade 2 bolts, I think it was. I did a couple of them, they felt hard and I realized I wasn't exploding into it. After I started just letting them have it full force, they looked noticeably more V'd than the previous ones. I was bending them DO

[GatorGrip]

In my experience the HRS up to 5/16 in both round and square dimensions seem to bend in a consistent U shape even down to 5 inches, where as the CRS from 3/16 to 1/4 so far seems to have a sharper bend to it like a V . So I think as far as steel stock goes HRS being softer will bend in a U and CRS being harder appears to bend more of aV shape at least in my experience the theory has truth in it.

NOW GO GET BENT ! ha ha

[GatorGrip]

I forgot to attach this in my original message but

CHECK PUT THE GALLERY FOR A VISUAL "1 Month Anniversary Bending Board"

This is my PR board of the 1st of every new bend in CRS or HRS and listed by their lengths. NOTICE that anything shiny which is CRS and anything dark in color is HRS , study the bends you will quickly notice the U vs V shapes.

Hope this helps buddy.