Pipe bending.

Wanting to build a pipe bender that can handle 2 inch sch 40 pipe. 2 3/8 OD. Using hydraulic cylinder powered by my iron worker.

for pipe you can get or copy the Harbor Freight dies.

Need a design for a heavy bender and we're to get a cheap die. Need to be able to knock out 90 degree bends quickly of 2 inch sch. 40 pipe. Just need one that can handle abuse.

Did you see this one on the main page

http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/h...cds-tube-38496

Thanks. Have not seen that one yet. I've looked at these and similar ones. Problem is all the benders I see always use tube. I'm curious if it works as easily with 2 inch ID pipe

30+ years ago I helped design the Hydrabend exhaust pipe bender which was similar to the Hooth and Worth benders with several exceptions I believe that Ben-Pac now sells a bender almost identical to the one we built. these are what are termed as twin gate benders where the die and tube or pipe is forced between 2 gates forcing them open. We tested each and every bender we made with 2 1/2" sch 80 black seamless pipe. Our large model had a single gate which revolved around the fixed die much like a hand held brake tubing bender. On these we offered a system by which a mandrel ball could be inserted in the tube or pipe allowing a much tighter bend radius. in the case of annealed 1020 DOM tubing a bend radius as tight as 1.75 x the diameter could be achieved.
The biggest problem with the Harbor Freight style pipe benders is the 2 rollers on either side of the die those should be replaced with bar type dies that have machined groves the diameter of the pipe or tubing being bent theit lengths should be at least 3 times the diameter of the work piece and hardened

Here are a couple of my bender designs in progress
one is to be capable of 4" OD tubing or pipe the other to be 1 1/2 " OD tubing
Attachment 8512
Attachment 8513