First Try At Bending

[Fissure]

After allot of reading through past threads I gave bending a try - now I don't want to stop!

Thank's to all the good info here I had what I thought was a fair game plan. I went to Lowes and got some 3/16" and 1/4" zinc coated cold rolled steel. First try was a 6" length of 3/16" - it looked easy, so I didn't even bother with the shop rags - I think my grandmother could bend that! Next A 5" length and then 4" length, both real easy - I was feeling pretty good right about then!

I had the red nail in sight, so it was on to a 6" length of 1/4". That's about when my illusions of grandeur came crashing down. I gave it all I had, and put maybe a 15 degree kink in it - it kicked my butt. I went to a 7" length of 1/4" and managed about a 45 degree bend, I was thoroughly unimpressed with myself.

I planned on waiting 3 or 4 days before trying again - I managed to wait 2. I gave the 7" length of 1/4" another go, same result, about 45 degrees.I then went back to the 3/16".I cut a 3 1/2" length and managed to bend it into a U. Not real hard to bend - just hard to get a grip on to.

Now for the noobie questions:

Does the zinc coating affect the CR steel at all? Harder, easier or no difference to bend?

I can't go any shorter with the 3/16" and can't get the 7" length of 1/4".Do I try 3/16" square stock or maybe Hot Rolled 1/4" (is there even much difference in CR and HR at this diameter?) or something else?

I didn't expect the 7" piece of 1/4" to be that much tougher the the 3 1/2" length of 3/16" - it's a huge step up.

I"ll try to keep my future posts shorter!

[reubi]

Hi Fissure,

I am glad you gave bending a try, now it will be hard to stop

Did you read the article on "un-braced bending" by Grag Amidon and Dave Morton? If not, and if you are unable to locate it, please email me.

The biggest single advice from this article is: "explode on the bar", that means, apply _all_ your force instantly. Try to bend it in one single movement.

Now to your problem: the hardest part of the bend should be the kink (the first few degree of the bent). Since you did bent it to 45 degree already, the rest should be easy, just a matter of practie and (maybe) upper body strength. Viewed this way, your problem isn't a problem at all

I expect you to bend that 7" x 1/4 ín your next workout, please report your results.

Greetings,

Gerrit

After allot of reading through past threads I gave bending a try - now I don't want to stop!

Thank's to all the good info here I had what I thought was a fair game plan. I went to Lowes and got some 3/16" and 1/4" zinc coated cold rolled steel. First try was a 6" length of 3/16" - it looked easy, so I didn't even bother with the shop rags - I think my grandmother could bend that! Next A 5" length and then 4" length, both real easy - I was feeling pretty good right about then!

I had the red nail in sight, so it was on to a 6" length of 1/4". That's about when my illusions of grandeur came crashing down. I gave it all I had, and put maybe a 15 degree kink in it - it kicked my butt. I went to a 7" length of 1/4" and managed about a 45 degree bend, I was thoroughly unimpressed with myself.

I planned on waiting 3 or 4 days before trying again - I managed to wait 2. I gave the 7" length of 1/4" another go, same result, about 45 degrees.I then went back to the 3/16".I cut a 3 1/2" length and managed to bend it into a U. Not real hard to bend - just hard to get a grip on to.

Now for the noobie questions:

Does the zinc coating affect the CR steel at all? Harder, easier or no difference to bend?

I can't go any shorter with the 3/16" and can't get the 7" length of 1/4".Do I try 3/16" square stock or maybe Hot Rolled 1/4" (is there even much difference in CR and HR at this diameter?) or something else?

I didn't expect the 7" piece of 1/4" to be that much tougher the the 3 1/2" length of 3/16" - it's a huge step up.

I"ll try to keep my future posts shorter!

←

[stranger]

you might just be better at short bends. crs is harder then hrs and i would suggest trying 3./16 square and 1/4 hrs round hot first then cold.

[smp76]

The only thing I can pass on to you and I say pass on because it was once offered to me is to hit some volume on some decent stock you can get (10) pieces done with relative difficulty to make it challenging. This is the stock you should practice form and explosiveness. Good luck man, and take your time. It will come, rest will be your friend.

-Sean

[John Beatty]

3/16 square, to grade 2 bolts, to 1/4 round CRS

[Fissure]

Thank's for all of your advice. I'm looking forward to my next session - I'll keep at it and see what happens.

[Left Side]

Try and get your hands on some 1/4" HRS, hot rolled is definately easier than cold rolled, even at that diameter.

Also go to your hardware store and pick up some spiral nails, you know; the 6" long nails, with spirals all the way down. Also called ardox nails. Get the non-galvanized ones to start. These really helped me to get the 1/4CRS bars.

Have fun and don't bend too often, listen to your body, though I know it's hard to stop.

[Fissure]

I did pick up a yard of 1/4" HRS at Lowes today. I couldn't find any 3/16" square stock however.

I managed to keep from cutting up the 1/4HRS and trying it today, as I've done alot of grippers/bending/lever work already this week. I'm trying not to jump in with to high a volume as far as the bending goes - but I've got a feeling that I'll be at it tomorrow.

Next time I'm at the store I'll look for the nails you mentioned , Left Side - thanks for the help.

[porky]

I did pick up a yard of 1/4" HRS at Lowes today. I couldn't find any 3/16" square stock however.

I managed to keep from cutting up the 1/4HRS and trying it today, as I've done alot of grippers/bending/lever work already this week. I'm trying not to jump in with to high a volume as far as the bending goes - but I've got a feeling that I'll be at it tomorrow.

Next time I'm at the store I'll look for the nails you mentioned , Left Side - thanks for the help.

←

stop going to lowes.

look in ur phone book under steel distributors and find some that are close.

phone them up and find out who sells the cheapest 1/4'' HRS per length, usually 12 foot lengths u buy it in.

and u can get whatever else you need frm there too. they will have all kinds of steel.

and it will be really cheap.

[Left Side]

I did pick up a yard of 1/4" HRS at Lowes today. I couldn't find any 3/16" square stock however.

I managed to keep from cutting up the 1/4HRS and trying it today, as I've done alot of grippers/bending/lever work already this week. I'm trying not to jump in with to high a volume as far as the bending goes - but I've got a feeling that I'll be at it tomorrow.

Next time I'm at the store I'll look for the nails you mentioned , Left Side - thanks for the help.

←

Any time man.