I'm glad you are still happy with this tool after a year, for me the option of using a vise to bend brass rods was what drove me to buy this tool, I wanted to avoid leaving dent marks on my brass workpieces, other than that, I find this tool useful so far but need to learn how to manipulate all the different dies to achieve the final forms I have in mind. being a left handed also has not been a major factor or an issue to use this tool .
@@metalplasticelectronics354 1/8"- 3/16" brass rods, BTW, I followed your tip on adding a copper washer/spacer to get rid of the slop in the handle, did that before the first use, helped a lot, thanks.
I noticed right away that you are using the bender "left handed". It's the first bender I have seen used this way. Most that I have seen pull from the right. So my question is this: Is this bender designed to be used Left, Right, or Both? It would seem that some design features may only work, or work well, if it is designed to be pulled from one side or the other. Thanks
I’m pretty sure I’m using it from the wrong side. The clamp is tapered a little on the right side. So the bending pin is a bit closer to the clamped edge of the bar from the left side. I’ve tried it from both sides and it seems to work about the same.
Just curious: for what are those little holes around the border of the base plate? I count seven or eight of them... 🤔 (I mean those little holes around the center of rotation of the lever.)
I too have one of these, I find it great for bigger stuff but Im struggling with say 3mm brass rod, trying to make small hooks or loops in the end with the mandrills supplied has got me beat
That little thing seems like it's pretty handy for doing small-ish work like that. You're right - it's better than locking something in a vise and hitting it with a hammer. You could probably make yourself different pieces on the mill to get the performance out of it that you want. i,e,, that 'fixed jaw' of the clamp that sits on that pin. Might be worth it if you're always working with small stuff like that. And then when you need to do something bigger, just put the OEM part back on.
I've thought about making a thinner block. I don't really have anything to machine steel, so would have to be done all by hand. But a block with a 1/4 inch wide nose on it, would be handy to have. If only there were more time in the day.
@@metalplasticelectronics354 I replaced the handle on mine with thicker stock, as well as drilling the pivot pin hole to fit the pin more snugly. The pin block was salvaged from the original handle and welded onto the new one. I really like the thing though!
@@metalplasticelectronics354 I made mine out of 1/4”x1” flat bar and reamed the hole to fit. Don’t recall what size that was though. I’m sure these things vary from one to the other, so that might not work on your specific tool. Mine still has a bit of slop, and it’s on my “when I get to it” list to take a piece of 5/16”x1” and mill it down to an exact fit. Another mod I did was due to the round dies lifting up off the bed and allowing small rod to go under the die. I like to make bends with the stock laying flat on the bed. My fix was cutting off a long 1/2” bolt that had a long unthreaded section on it. The cut length was enough to go through the die and down into the base well below the set screw. With the bolt head sitting on top of the die and the set screw tightened, I no longer have lift up issues!
I would think that thin of metal would bend easily. The smallest diameter pin is about 0.2 inches. The radius on the angle blocks is maybe 0.08 inches. With the dies that come with the bender that would be about the smallest radius of bend.
I got mine from Amazon. a.co/d/7LULvpz All they have of it right now is a used listing. And the used one is more than I paid for the new one. I think most of the cheap mini benders are about the same.
bought this tool because of your vid. looks great for bending bus bars
I'm glad you are still happy with this tool after a year, for me the option of using a vise to bend brass rods was what drove me to buy this tool, I wanted to avoid leaving dent marks on my brass workpieces, other than that, I find this tool useful so far but need to learn how to manipulate all the different dies to achieve the final forms I have in mind. being a left handed also has not been a major factor or an issue to use this tool .
what diameter rod are you bending?
@@metalplasticelectronics354 1/8"- 3/16" brass rods, BTW, I followed your tip on adding a copper washer/spacer to get rid of the slop in the handle, did that before the first use, helped a lot, thanks.
The bender has it's place, but keep in mind that it has a lot of slop in the pin fitment and such.
Thank you, good sir!
Very welcome! I just used mine a couple of weeks ago. It is nice to have on hand.
I noticed right away that you are using the bender "left handed". It's the first bender I have seen used this way. Most that I have seen pull from the right. So my question is this: Is this bender designed to be used Left, Right, or Both? It would seem that some design features may only work, or work well, if it is designed to be pulled from one side or the other.
Thanks
I’m pretty sure I’m using it from the wrong side. The clamp is tapered a little on the right side. So the bending pin is a bit closer to the clamped edge of the bar from the left side. I’ve tried it from both sides and it seems to work about the same.
Got it for $30 here in India. Very happy with it.
Yea, it's a great tool to have on hand.
Just curious: for what are those little holes around the border of the base plate? I count seven or eight of them... 🤔
(I mean those little holes around the center of rotation of the lever.)
For a limit pin, I've never used it. I guess it could be useful.
I too have one of these, I find it great for bigger stuff but Im struggling with say 3mm brass rod, trying to make small hooks or loops in the end with the mandrills supplied has got me beat
What is the maximum diameter round stock you can bend with it ?
@@nichterreichbar787 Actually Im not sure my guess would be 6mm I think 4 would be my max
@@campbellmorrison8540 ok thanks than i will search for a bigger one
How come your using the adjustable wrench with the bender? I just bought the same bender just wondering any tips would help
The thin handle will twist a bit. So by putting the wrench on it, I can limit the twisting.
That little thing seems like it's pretty handy for doing small-ish work like that. You're right - it's better than locking something in a vise and hitting it with a hammer.
You could probably make yourself different pieces on the mill to get the performance out of it that you want. i,e,, that 'fixed jaw' of the clamp that sits on that pin. Might be worth it if you're always working with small stuff like that. And then when you need to do something bigger, just put the OEM part back on.
I've thought about making a thinner block. I don't really have anything to machine steel, so would have to be done all by hand. But a block with a 1/4 inch wide nose on it, would be handy to have. If only there were more time in the day.
Great video & review. Do you have a link for the bender?
I think this is it: a.co/d/4OGJ22t
@@metalplasticelectronics354 thanks!
I noticed in this vid, you are using a crescent wrench when using the handle. Is that to stop the handle from racking/turning?
Yes, I’m able to keep the bending pin a little straighter using the wrench.
@@metalplasticelectronics354 I replaced the handle on mine with thicker stock, as well as drilling the pivot pin hole to fit the pin more snugly. The pin block was salvaged from the original handle and welded onto the new one. I really like the thing though!
Did you find some bar stock that fit well? I was thinking about trying a spacer on the body, see if I could make a ¼ inch thick handle work.
@@metalplasticelectronics354 I made mine out of 1/4”x1” flat bar and reamed the hole to fit. Don’t recall what size that was though. I’m sure these things vary from one to the other, so that might not work on your specific tool. Mine still has a bit of slop, and it’s on my “when I get to it” list to take a piece of 5/16”x1” and mill it down to an exact fit. Another mod I did was due to the round dies lifting up off the bed and allowing small rod to go under the die. I like to make bends with the stock laying flat on the bed. My fix was cutting off a long 1/2” bolt that had a long unthreaded section on it. The cut length was enough to go through the die and down into the base well below the set screw. With the bolt head sitting on top of the die and the set screw tightened, I no longer have lift up issues!
@@tomt9543 Thanks
Why the crescent wrench? Torque?
The handle will twist a bit. Just used the wrench to help keep it straight. Seem to help a bit.
okay thanks. That makes sense the more I look at the video
It's not a precision tool by any means, but it sure comes in handy quite often.
Thanks for taking the time to make a video and post. I will likely end up with one
Is it possible to bend 24 gauge bar 90 deg. with a very small radius?
I would think that thin of metal would bend easily. The smallest diameter pin is about 0.2 inches. The radius on the angle blocks is maybe 0.08 inches. With the dies that come with the bender that would be about the smallest radius of bend.
@@metalplasticelectronics354 Thank you!
Do you have assembly instructions? Thanks.
I don’t. If I can get back in the shop the first of the week I’ll try and see if it can make a spiral.
I did a test to see if spirals can be made. Here is a link to the video ruclips.net/video/K30SAuUwyEc/видео.html . Maybe it will help some.
Where do you can buy this from? Thanks
I got mine from Amazon. a.co/d/7LULvpz All they have of it right now is a used listing. And the used one is more than I paid for the new one. I think most of the cheap mini benders are about the same.
@@metalplasticelectronics354 awesome thank you.