cz metal bender

Just a final note on heavier work

I used the 90 degree mandrel and the smooth ratchet end with the roundbar grooves

Start by pinning the workpiece in the clamping section and getting the work snug and straight

Use the ratchet on the furthest practical point from the bending point possible and gently get the bend going, keep working on it until it starts bending

Put a little oil on the working face of the workpiece and gradually work the main face around the mandrel with the ratchet

The left hand job is 4x30mm B&Q flatbar which I will now use as a mini crowbar

The right hand job is B&Q square rolled steel, 6.67mm on the side and 10mm across the diagonal

I wouldn't use this unit for a production run... but it can do handy stuff

Brian,

Where in the Frost Catalogue is it? I cant find it anywhere

Regards

Paul

.

Just a wild guess, Paul ...

This is probably the item

MichaelG.

Thank you Michael your'e a star

£42 with shipping from Frosts

Mmmn - I paid a bit more than that for the one that's just been delivered here - and mine's in a plastic box too (that metal one does look a wee bit nicer).

I've also just seen the "review" (link posted above by Ady1).... I wasn't planning to abuse (e.g. stretch) it, so hopefully it will be OK. It did take the shine off things a bit though... I think I'll just go to bed now (sniff)

IanT

That Frost one looks like it may be an uprated version of the one I have, it has much higher capacities compared to the one I have, 6 x 50 flatbar and 16mm roundbar

Different box too

They must do a light and a heavier version, and the light version is over a tenner more...

Edit:

The instructions on mine say "metal bender kit"

The instructions on the Frost item say "Groz Metal Bender"

Looks like they are from different sources

Edited By Ady1 on 03/01/2015 01:56:36

Now you're just trying to cheer me up (aren't you?)

IanT

Dammit guys! I`ve just had to buy one of those!!!!!!!

The bottom line is (Ian etc) the main casting is made of an aluminium type casting on all these kits.

If you want a really good tough lifetime use higher capacity versatile bending unit then you will need to fabricate/weld your own "castings" from bits of steel using the original as a guide

I would also put a roller option on the end of the ratchet

This kit takes a lot of the mystery out of building your own metal forming tools

Edited By Ady1 on 03/01/2015 11:45:04

Yes, the monies spent - so provided I don't break it - there's not a problem.

(and I'm not planning to bend anything too big!)

I'm sure it will be fine...

IanT

Edited By IanT on 03/01/2015 19:58:06

Gentlemen,

I've just been looking at the Frost bender with the aim of ordering one and I've just spotted a little problem with the description, when you find the item it states 50mm x 6mm, if you scroll down to the description this dimension drops to 40mm x 4mm, I have just rung frosts and they say the latter is correct and will modify the listing of 50mm x 6mm.

Martin P

Now that is a bit annoying. Having just ordered one!

Hate to see a grown man cry. Tell you what I'll take it off your hands for half price. ain't I nice.

Cheer up Rod - you paid less than me and got a nice metal box to put it in too!

IanT

Bazyle - Could I interest you in renting one? Only £38 a day!!!!!!

The ADY1 article from 1991 say`s "to be concluded" . Was it ever?

I bought mine a lot of yrs ago, the main spindle/feed lever was allways rough to operate on the rack & I eventually sussed that it was out of mesh, so I set it up in the mill & bored the 2 arms out & turned bronze bushes up & it's nice & smooth now [as well as being better for wear than the alloy] , I've made all sorts with it, a really usefull tool.

Graham T

Graham - Yes on my todu list also. I was told that there are some additional parts that can be made. Over and above simple, non standard rolls. But wondered what they might be. Hence my interest in the follow up article.

As ADY1 says above "the main casting is aluminium" yes they do break!

The Groz copy sold by at one time by Axminster is very poorly made from poor quality materials - the steel box mine came in is the best bit of the whole arrangement. If you fancy one of these, I would suggest trying to get a German original - they do come up on Ebay from time to time.

Nigel B