Bending PE

I built a fancy thing a couple of years ago out of K&S sheet stainless and aluminum stock, with a piece of angle aluminum for the top part. I hardly ever use it- only for the biggest pieces.

Otherwise I use a strip of thin metal on top of a piece of particle board. I have a couple of small screwdrivers from a cheap set that are too weak to actually use on screws.  They make great bending tools, though, to hold down the piece (these are conventional ends, not phillips).  I use a #11 X-acto for the actual bending tool.

The piece of thin metal is merely to raise the piece enough to easily get the edge of the blade under the PE piece.

It's amazing what we can put together...With a few bucks(hopefully, I'm poor), a little practice, 5 - 10 bucks beats 40 - 60 bucks for a p/e jig...

I use an old 4X4 bathroom tile as the cutting surface, two razor blades and tweezers to bend and manipulate. Small dowels for round shapes and most important, my optivisor from Harbor Freight that cost me under $5.

Great call, Phil! There's a Dollar Tree on my way to & from work...

HSteve

Ditto, but I use a piece of window glass to bend on...Don't forget to tape the edges - found that one out the hard way. total investment, a box of razor blades, bought a new kit with the cash I saved on a hold 'n' fold...

For a couple of bucks, you may be able to find one of those tempered glass pot stands at your local Dollar Store. Very flat, bevelled edges and little vinyl feet so it doesn't slide around on your workbench. The one I found is about 10" x 7" so it's a handy size. Add a 5-pack of single-edge razor blades - total cost about $3.00.

oceano75

For straight bends I just use 2 razor blades, one to hold the piece still and one to slide under and bend up.  Another technique is to use a razor blade and styrofoam egg container.  Lay the PE on the styrofoam and gently pres down with the razor blade.  This gives an initial bend that you can then adjust to any angle.  For round bends I just use various dimensions of drill bits (already mentioned) or dowels.

Ditto, but I use a piece of window glass to bend on...Don't forget to tape the edges - found that one out the hard way. total investment, a box of razor blades, bought a new kit with the cash I saved on a hold 'n' fold...

For straight bends I just use 2 razor blades, one to hold the piece still and one to slide under and bend up.  Another technique is to use a razor blade and styrofoam egg container.  Lay the PE on the styrofoam and gently pres down with the razor blade.  This gives an initial bend that you can then adjust to any angle.  For round bends I just use various dimensions of drill bits (already mentioned) or dowels.

Glue Mark

They mention PE tools for circular pieces. Is there a big need for that? 

There really isn't a large call for a dedicated round bend tool.    Go to the hardware  store and buy a set of drill bits.   They have myriad applications around the house in drilling holes and their shanks can be used to form round bends.

I knew the inventor of the Hold and Fold.    Spent a couple of evenings in the bar at IPMS conventions talking about how he came up with it.     The tool is good but just having the tool in your toolbox won't make you a better PE bender.     You need to be able to think spatially.  You need to practice, then practice some more.   You'll waste a lot of brass - and here is where those drill shanks come in handy.  Use them to roll the bent parts flat again

Glue Mark

Thanks, B. I like that MM one. More length for the same price as the SS. May get that. They mention PE tools for circular pieces. Is there a big need for that?  R.

Don't know really. I haven't had much occasion to bend anything other than the occasional flat PE pieces (I have the SS HNF 5.5).

Thanks, B. I like that MM one. More length for the same price as the SS. May get that. They mention PE tools for circular pieces. Is there a big need for that?  R.

Glue Mark

Hi Everyone-

Was wondering what your favorite technique or tool is for bending PE parts, including the larger ones like ship's masts and railings. I looked at some flat edged tools today in a hardware store today and had some ideas,  but feel like I'm guessing w/out any experience.

Thanks!

Rusty

For flat parts take a look at the Hold-N-Fold:

http://thesmallshop.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

Micromark has a similar tool:

http://www.micromark.com/ETCH-MATE-3C,8737.html

MM has several other tools designed for bending things other than flat PE parts.

you can buy bending bars, but I have never seen the need. I use a couple of scraps of 1/32'' steel strip. Pretty much anything straight, flat an stiff could be used. the pieces I used were offcuts from a lab workshop departent and had been machined so I knew I had a 90' edge to them.

Will