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Zimzim
Junior Member
Joined: 17 Sep 2008
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject: Accurate pipe bending |
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Hi guys,
i bought an Irwin Hilmor GLM pipe bender and there's no reference in the manual as to what the guide markings on the former are. The guide on this site uses a different system (from what I can tell) and the only other document I could find on the net (Bills pipe bending notes or something) showed some lines but it didn't work in the same way as the markings on my pipe benders.
I can't figure out what I'm supposed to be aligning with the lines. Is it the pipe (and if so which bit) or the handle (and again, which bit). I know this sounds stupid, I bend it to what looks around 90 degree and it still doesn't make much sense! You'd think at that point something would be obviously lined up and you could see it but I'm still not getting it.
I took a photo, linked below, maybe someone can enlighten me before I waste any more pipe!
At almost 90 degrees it looks as though it's supposed to work by when the third line (I think they're 30, 45 and 90 from what I can find on the net) just touches the copper pipe. However, if that's what it's supposed to be then (a) it doesn't feel very accurate and (b) I'm not always hitting 90 degrees -- and why is it at a jaunty angle? When the tip of that line touches you'd think the guide line would be inline (straight) with the pipe or something.
It all feels a bit mickey mouse. I'm sure when someone points out what I'm actually supposed to be doing it will all make sense!
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thescruff
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 5720
Location: Bath
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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The best advice I can give is file the lines off or forget them and start to train the eyes.
If you over bend slightly you can pull it back with your hands, bend a piece of pipe using a square or bevel at different angle, and very soon you will be doing it just by sight alone.
Practice off-sets, getting the second bend inline with the first, look down the center of the pipe, and the same with getting the second bend parallel with the first.
Then practice different off-sets, for a 25mm offset bend the pipe down 25mm, turn it round keeping the center of the throat in the hook.
for 50mm offsets make the first bend 50mm.
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Scruff |
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Hoovie
Devon DIYer
Joined: 27 Jul 2007
Posts: 8042
Location: East Devon
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| Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject: |
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I think you are right about the markings, but I also reckon thescruffs advice is better 
practice with some offcuts and you will soon get a feeling for it. What you can do while you are getting your eye in for the angles is make a few bends with offcuts and then have them to hand to compare directly with the pipe in the benders if you need to check if you have gone far enough
practice makes perfect - don't expect exact results first time round.
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I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?"
She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose. |
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justlead1
Junior Member
Joined: 11 Sep 2008
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject: pipe bending |
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| Hi. Keep your eye on you tube. I have the facilities to produce a video on this topic. It will not happen for a couple of weeks as i am off on holiday. But it will happen soon. Good Luck |
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thescruff
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 5720
Location: Bath
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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Look forward to the video Justlead
Have a good holiday.
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Scruff |
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9756
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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LovelyBoy
Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Wigan
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| Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2008 10:08 am Post subject: |
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Zimzim
You could try here:
http://www.ukcopperboard.co.uk/copperclub.shtml
When I did my tech cert level 2 last year, the tutor relied more on intuition and experience for pipe bending. some of us students (me included) needed a more cookbook approach.
Good luck
LB.
PS A folding ruler comes in handy too! |
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LovelyBoy
Member
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 57
Location: Wigan
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Iggy13
Junior Member
Joined: 29 Oct 2006
Posts: 33
Location: lincoln
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| Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject: |
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I've been plumber for a number of years and the only quick and effective method is practice but in your position try the information in the link below.
http://www.iphe.org.uk/student/pipebend.pdf |
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