Custom tube bending dies JD2

[KirkBurner]

I am a noob when it comes to bending, but I understand that the dies I have for my bender is standard.

Anyone here with experience in creating custom dies? I am basically looking to create some Motorcycle handlebars.
so It will be 1 inch or 25mm tubing. but I want "sharper" bends.

So I have to have a shorter radius

How sharp can it be before the pipe collapses on me? anyone got experience in this field?

I use a JD2 bender.

 

[turtleman321]

it all depends on bend radius, wall thickness and material.

I will say for me a 1.5 inch 4.5" radius die has issues sometimes when i try and bend 0.065" wall tubing on my JD2. but sometimes its fine. depends on the batch of material.

 

[dr_clyde]

I've bent a LOT of tube with a JD2 Bender. They're pretty accurate in what they rate the bender for. They sell a variety of dies, and the narrowest radius die they sell for a given size generally is about the limit before you start running into problems.

You can make custom dies, but you probably won't have a lot of luck.

 

[cannuck]

Beyond a certain point even the best open die will allow the OD to collapse. Wall thickness and bend radius as each decreases makes wall failure more likely. I have had some luck with compacting blast media and plugging off the tube, but nowhere near as successful as using a mandrel bender.

 

[will335i]

^sand works too, or any fine grain media that you can pack in and then get back out after you have completed your bends.

 

[gmcgeo]

I have tried sand, never worked out well for me.