Brass is a metal that’s easy to work with. In its tube form, you can shape it to your heart’s content and create specific furniture and fixture parts with it. Naturally, when you’re working with brass tubes, the first thing you’ll want to learn is how to bend it properly to achieve the shapes you want. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to bend brass tubes to achieve the best results.
The Tools
You’re going to need machines that will help you bend the brass tubing. Your main tool will be a bender with the correct bending die. Dies come in various sizes, so it’s important for you to know the right size of die for your needs. Other tools you’re going to need include
- metal cutting saw
- funnel
- sand
- tube caps
- welding equipment
Pre-Bending Steps
Before you start bending, you need to have the applicable bender die. This is absolutely critical to a good bend, because without the correct die, the tube will squish and be unusable. The die is supposed to hold the tube 180 degrees to prevent it from shrinking or stretching. If the die makes contact for only a fraction of that number, the result is an improper bend.
Your tube needs to be lengthier than what you need because you need to account for cutting and bend clearances. Longer is definitely better than shorter, because you can always cut a longer tube, but you can’t add to a short one that’s of insufficient size than what you need.
The Bending Process
Begin the bending process by welding a cap to one end of the tube, then start filling the tube with sand. Pound the tube on a solid flat object to make the sand settle. Keep filling and pounding the tube with sand to pack it tighter. Next, weld another cap on the open end of the tube. Once that’s done, you’re now ready to bend your tube on the die. If you have a drag style bender, keep the die oiled to prolong its usable life.
After bending your tube on the die, inspect the bend. If it’s to your satisfaction, you may proceed to cut off the caps with your metal cutting saw then drain the sand into a container so you can reuse it.
Ready to bend brass tubing? Order your tubing material from established brass tube material supplier such as Rotax Metals. They have a wide array of brass tube sizes and other copper products for you to choose from.
Source:
Bending Thin Wall Tubing for Bicycles and Furniture – Poor Man’s Mandrel Bender, Instructables.com
