aluminum rod inside styrene tube

[peteski]

As far as solder being "saggy", if using solid core solder (no flux) and at a diameter large enough for 1:24 exhaust headers, the solder wire will be more than stiff enough to hold its shape, especially the more recent lead-free plumber's solder.

[BK9300]

1 hour ago, SpeedAndViolence said:

Do you have personal experience with this?  I've tried Googling 'hobby tubing bender' and numerous other terms, but I'm not finding much. 

I do not have any experience with this tool, but I have one ordered and think it will work quite well.  It's advertised as being able to bend quite small diameter rods/wire.  I also want to try it out on small diameter, aluminum tubing and styrene tubing, with smaller brass support rod inside the tube, to see how/if the bending turns out.  It will still be useful for wire and brass rod, I'm hoping.

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, SpeedAndViolence said:

Do you have personal experience with this?  I've tried Googling 'hobby tubing bender' and numerous other terms, but I'm not finding much. 

 

7 minutes ago, BK9300 said:

I do not have any experience with this tool, but I have one ordered and think it will work quite well.  It's advertised as being able to bend quite small diameter rods/wire.  I also want to try it out on small diameter, aluminum tubing and styrene tubing, with smaller brass support rod inside the tube, to see how/if the bending turns out.  It will still be useful for wire and brass rod, I'm hoping.

Here’s a video of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHYbNhLImJg

[SpeedAndViolence]

My main goal is to be able to bend styrene rod to make roll cages, and solder for exhaust tubes. 

[peteski]

You did say "rod". Unlike metal (aluminum copper or tin) rods , polystyrene rod when bent will not retain the formed shape. It will try to flex back to its original shape. A "rod" by definition is solid material(not a hollow tube).

But a polystyrene tube with a metal rod inserted in it would retain its formed shape much better.

[Straightliner59]

10 hours ago, SpeedAndViolence said:

My main goal is to be able to bend styrene rod to make roll cages, and solder for exhaust tubes. 

Plastruct's ABS, or the stuff in the Ebay link I posted above work great for roll cages, etc. (they're the same material). Just work it slowly to shape with your fingers--their warmth will help with the process. For headers, I would recommend aluminum armature wire. It comes in several gauges, it bends easily, and it's much lighter than solder. I posted the interior of my Super Gas Vega, above. I built that cage using the ABS. I drill and pin the joints. I built the headers for this Porsche from armature wire. I don't recall the gauge, but it's .062". It's uniformly sized, as to diameter, and round, as well. Hope this helps.

[SpeedAndViolence]

7 hours ago, Straightliner59 said:

Plastruct's ABS, or the stuff in the Ebay link I posted above work great for roll cages, etc. (they're the same material). Just work it slowly to shape with your fingers--their warmth will help with the process. For headers, I would recommend aluminum armature wire. It comes in several gauges, it bends easily, and it's much lighter than solder. I posted the interior of my Super Gas Vega, above. I built that cage using the ABS. I drill and pin the joints. I built the headers for this Porsche from armature wire. I don't recall the gauge, but it's .062". It's uniformly sized, as to diameter, and round, as well. Hope this helps.

I actually saved the photo of the roll cage because it actually goes right along with the project I'm working on at the moment. I also appreciate the tip on the armature wire. 😁Thanks Daniel! 

Edited November 8 by SpeedAndViolence

[Straightliner59]

19 minutes ago, SpeedAndViolence said:

.062mm? 

Glad to help! .062". Roughly 1/16". I think you'll like it.

[sidcharles]

this is a wire bender:

https://www.amazon.com/Singring-Manual-Desktop-Workbench-Bending/dp/B0B3GVCRP7/ref=sr_1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zO76cczo0JAN2azZv6zy8MsdtfwEbpDrwVxjPZV_z_hB9SZ7X0-7Wd8wL3mn1LK5DCuHTei0FLGUjDg1iZZ8Z14hKijYdflPHWSfpFuhzvEiM1Xgy9pQ3LE3I4-KrLcYXwiCtXDC93c6HtAEgkxAf5zV62r5vCDfSYXoQuE-qM8KeQ5uvIovFXv-LsS5tYXYV4TPfgIH4oq56GYI-gIaNKquSW_0stHI1H0vradSHW5jOgmi6tPuqvOJtmuD5KLrYiiTZ50N9aGIpfiHPtAOtE7IQ7z9t7Vj19opXf2zVGA.QQ3kZhRIhzbOSWA69-i0GYQ8FvWvK4bWCw2Qe8F69Xk&dib_tag=se&keywords=wire+bender&qid=1762621787&sr=8-10

these are tubing benders:

https://www.amazon.com/Eoppen-Spring-Tubing-Benders-Aluminum/dp/B0DFY7DTQ4/ref=sr_1_11?crid=9EHELSVAZRB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qsNqtWfR8xg846rmXC1N1PBqXskPUuKt5bJ3IifY_--bl5URZ9KaEaRulTZ1nFP2RNs0JQ-eSCdyAIGy-KPxHy2EN8tKx7t8wrzeoyYWLI1b3wmJAnO_Yj_tPUC6AXRWj0Q_7e9fHxrqxqN61CsBukYCUS16oj0YIDLsroW4ydnNXVrV14vKZI_TpCrZpjXw1CNM7zjlDZvBNbB6ixoJc9CNBSQWUJ1ajmUl_-QEMhorwgwjAJDTp9bJAiA9qHeuy_eXZ-9YTgF1Gn05XPM9lWfl8fQV3rBswLuDj54PR20.vcjWT9FHaBo8cM6tH91lExa-hfSaoU-2nkArhnJMjW4&dib_tag=se&keywords=tubing%2Bbender&qid=1762621858&sprefix=tubing%2Bbender%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-11&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Wostore-Handles-Aluminum-Stainless-Awesome/dp/B07LDY3V82/ref=sr_1_23?crid=9EHELSVAZRB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qsNqtWfR8xg846rmXC1N1PBqXskPUuKt5bJ3IifY_--bl5URZ9KaEaRulTZ1nFP2RNs0JQ-eSCdyAIGy-KPxHy2EN8tKx7t8wrzeoyYWLI1b3wmJAnO_Yj_tPUC6AXRWj0Q_7e9fHxrqxqN61CsBukYCUS16oj0YIDLsroW4ydnNXVrV14vKZI_TpCrZpjXw1CNM7zjlDZvBNbB6ixoJc9CNBSQWUJ1ajmUl_-QEMhorwgwjAJDTp9bJAiA9qHeuy_eXZ-9YTgF1Gn05XPM9lWfl8fQV3rBswLuDj54PR20.vcjWT9FHaBo8cM6tH91lExa-hfSaoU-2nkArhnJMjW4&dib_tag=se&keywords=tubing%2Bbender&qid=1762621897&sprefix=tubing%2Bbender%2Caps%2C259&sr=8-23&th=1

 

tube needs 360 degree support from either within or out. old model railroader trick is to pack brass tubing with sand to make gradual bends. had a 50% success rate.

rod is a bit more forgiving = usually will not kink or collapse

[fiatboy]

Thank you for posting photos of some really great builds.  

[fiatboy]

Also, thanks for giving up so many Tricks and Secrets.