AboutDave Expertise machine tool setup and operation,selection and use of cutting tools, welding and metalfabrication methods, machining of plastics and metals,cad/cam,cnc,workholding and all related questions regarding metalworking and finishing
Experience over 25 years experience as a class a machinist in both job shop and r&d
environments.
Expert: Dave Date: 6/6/2006 Subject: Bending Aliminum Tube
Question Thanks very much for the reply!
I wanted to bend up some bars for my road bike, they were stolen a while back. Here is what they look like: http://images.rei.com/media/713914_321Prd.jpg
The pipe is about 1 inch do those bends look serious enough that I should anneal the metal?
Is annealing expensive?
Is there a particular type of aluminum you would recommend that will bend without cracking but would be string enough to hold the bend under pressure?
-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi Dave,
I am doing a small project that requires me to bend up some 1 inch 6061 aliminum pipe. I talked to some of the local shops around here and no one seemed to have the tools to do the job.
I'm thinking about buying something like this:
Will this work do you think? Are there better tools I should be looking at? Is bending aliminum pipe that hard?
Any info you can give would be a great help!
Thanks!
Answer -
I think that will work. Bending the pipe is not that hard.
You may have to anneal the pipe first to stop it from splitting. It all depends on the type of aluminum and how much
of a bend you make.
You could also ask an electrician. Some of them may
have that type of pipe bender.
Answer I would just try bending the pipe. Those bends don't look to bad. Ask a local electricial to give you a hand with the bending.
You can get pipe here www.mcmastercarr.com . Look for
General Purpose Aluminum Tubing Alloy 6061
Catalog page 124
It is seamless and bendable. As far as annealing goes its more than I want to type but a good welding shop shop be able to do it for short money. But you should not need it.
