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I need to consistently bend a copper wire like "ᴨ" to make multiple grab handles. I know some folks use the bending comb section of the Brass-Assist to do that kind of job, but it's way too expensive ($70). Is there a cheap alternative?
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bend around a small needle nose or duckbill pliers. Or a piece of rectangular evergreen strip.
I second the needle nose pliers suggestion. The little gripping ridges in the mouth of the jaws are perfect for grasping the wire in a consistent spot for bending the same lengths.
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Drive small brads into a piece of particle board to make wire bending jigs. If you will make several parts from any one jig, save it. For one-offs, jigs are cheap enough to pitch afterwards.
Don Stauffer in Minnesota
Hi;
I use standard pliers or flat nose pliers .The teeth hold the wire and then if it is so , the pliers body width gives me the length . So , perfect hand grabs etc. You can use ANY size pliers for this depending on the size you need .
I just tried the plier method. It worked like a charm.
Chrisk-k I just tried the plier method. It worked like a charm.
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ChrisK
m doing the same thing on a 1/350 scale ship for " permanent ladder steps" that are welded to the structures. ( There's a bunch of em ) I found a small square jawed pair of pliers in the jewlery section at Michales craft store that has 3 different square graduations . I just hold the wire in the appropriate section . bend ,bend, and snip.
quick, easy and cheap with the 40 % off coupon.
I'm finally retired. Now time I got, money I don't.
The advantage of a jig is that it helps keep parts in one plane. Ones made with several bends with pliers can end up looking like an Escher print.
I purchased a Resistor Lead Forming Tool to make my grab handles, they can he had for about $5. Search for "Resistor Lead Forming Tool" with your favorite search engine, or look on that auction site.
Another method I have used specifically for grab irons is to use a strip of basswood of the proper width and thickness. I use soft wire and wrap it around three sides (one wide side and the two short sides). This makes sort of a wide U shape. I then cut with diagonal cutters held against the rear, the side with no wire wrapped around. This method makes quite a few irons pretty quickly but only one size, not very versatile.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0095p?FVPROFIL=&FVSEARCH=Z+bender
A whole range of price and feature wire benders.
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