Bending Stainless steel rods

Scary Des · 24 March 2005, 15:49

Does anyone know what is the smallest radius you can cold form in a 10mm stainless steel rod

I am thinking about making an extension to one of my hand rails to offer some protection to the electronics

I’ll post some picture if I go ahead

Des

jwalker · 24 March 2005, 15:57

Depends what state the steel is in. Have you no source of heat?

Scary Des · 24 March 2005, 16:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Depends what state the steel is in. Have you no source of heat?

I assume rod comes half/hard but I haven’t checked. I have limited heat, propane, but don’t think that would do much. Des

jwalker · 24 March 2005, 16:16

Depends whether it is cold rolled, drawn, free machining etc. If you've got a decent torch and you make a wee hearth from some bricks, propane will get it up to red heat. Position the bricks to reflect the heat back onto the work rather than just bounce it away. Even if you just raise it dull red and allow it to cool as slowly as possible you'll normalise it and maybe even get it annealed. You should then be able to get it to go around a piece of 20 bar, particularly if you don't make the bend quite a right angle.

I bet Jono is here shortly.... His sensors will be itching just now.

Scary Des · 24 March 2005, 16:25

20mm would be fine, never thought about a hearth because I have been spoilt in the past with loads of heat from oxyacetylene. I’ll give it a go

Des

Jono · 24 March 2005, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

...I bet Jono is here shortly.... His sensors will be itching just now.

I saw that JW!

yeah, 20mm Rad no probs, form it cold with a big vice and a large hammer start slowly by just using brute force to start the bend, then close it up with a couple of "taps" until it is pleasing to the eye.......

..oh and if you break it don't blame me... I use a big press

jwalker · 24 March 2005, 18:58

I you've got a nice big vice, give it a squeeze to start it off.
Use a piece of tube on the handle if you are brave. I've broken a couple of vices before now so as Jono said.

Rogue Wave · 24 March 2005, 19:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

Depends whether it is cold rolled, drawn, free machining etc. If you've got a decent torch and you make a wee hearth from some bricks, propane will get it up to red heat. Position the bricks to reflect the heat back onto the work rather than just bounce it away. Even if you just raise it dull red and allow it to cool as slowly as possible you'll normalise it and maybe even get it annealed. You should then be able to get it to go around a piece of 20 bar, particularly if you don't make the bend quite a right angle.

I bet Jono is here shortly.... His sensors will be itching just now.

JW knows his stuff cos he built a tractor Cab once!

WE got a decent Vice and a Gas Axe on the tug if you need to you are welcome to use them