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Bending 4mm steel rod by 90 degrees

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John Munroe27/03/2016 10:08:44
50 forum posts

Hi

I'm trying to bend a 4mm steel rod by 90 degrees with just simple tools. The radius should be just around 5mm. Could a [wire bender like this](http://www.micromark.com/RS/SR/Product/60346_R.jpg) be used to bend rods?

Thanks

JasonB27/03/2016 10:11:13
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Hold it in your vice sticking upwards with a bit of 10mm rod (assume 5mm internal radius) between it and one of the jaws then bend it down over the 10mm rod. If you hold a block of wood against the 4mm stock as you bend it the bend will be at the point you want it and not a long slow bend.

Can't get much simpler than that and in true Blue Peter Fassion her eis one I bent earlier

 

Edited By JasonB on 27/03/2016 10:14:02

Bizibilder27/03/2016 10:24:00
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173 forum posts
8 photos

Leave the bit to be bent as long as possible to help - trying to bend a tiddly bit of steel rod is not easy!! Cut to length after bending.

John Munroe27/03/2016 10:26:25
50 forum posts

@JasonB Thanks. How about a wire bender? Will that be able to manipulate 4mm rods?

John Munroe27/03/2016 10:32:46
50 forum posts

@JasonB Do you mean something like this

where red is the 10mm and blue is the stock. Do I put a block of wood against the stock and just keep hammering on the wood?

Thanks

John Munroe27/03/2016 10:33:42
50 forum posts

@Bizibilder Yeah, that was my thought too.

Neil Wyatt27/03/2016 10:48:47
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19226 forum posts
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A wire bender should specify it's max diameter of bend and stock.

As Jason demonstrates, small diameter rod is easy yo bend neatly with care, it's tube that is the challenge.

Neil

Paul Lousick27/03/2016 12:30:52
2276 forum posts
801 photos

Heat red hot with a gas torch, quickly clamp in a vice and bend or bend over an anvil or solid block of steel before it cools.  Use a longer piece of rod and hold with gloved hand or by a pair of pliers. You can easily bend rod up to 10 or 12mm dia by hand when it is hot.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 27/03/2016 12:33:28

John McNamara27/03/2016 13:09:45
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1377 forum posts
133 photos

I agree with Paul Lousick, A hot bend is far less likely to cause stress fracturing that is often created when cold bending steel to a sharp corner.

JasonB27/03/2016 13:16:41
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25215 forum posts
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Is 5mm internal rad on 4mm rod that sharp a sharp corner?

I just do it cold at those diameters, block of wood held against the right hand side of your drawing and bend it down by hand, give it a whack if you need to.

If you have a lot to do then something like this will make life quicker

JasonB27/03/2016 17:48:07
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Here you go

Not too shabby for a 1 handed effort

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