Stainless tubing

BruceB · 22 August 2008, 22:38

I am trying to get two seat backs made and don't much like the prices I am being quoted or the timescales. (£125 each, and they are very simple designs)
In the event of the last one I have to give me a price that is too expensive where would I be able to buy the correct 7/8 or 1" tube? I have a bending machine that can do this and can make all the brackets just leaving me to get it welded together.
I would two lengths around 2.2m each. Not sure of material spec other than 316L for bending ability which is why I am not sure where to buy.
Anybody know where I can get my hands on some?

codprawn · 22 August 2008, 22:42

What sort of bender do you have? Many types are not suitable despite what they claim as I found out to my cost!!!

BruceB · 22 August 2008, 23:23

Conduit bender with 25mm formers.
I have come across problems with bending stainless before whcih is why I need a spec or place to order.

martini · 22 August 2008, 23:40

316L is 316L pretty much. You might be best getting hold of a small off cut 1st and putting it through your bender, theres every chance you wont be happy with the result. The heaviest gauge that you can physically bend in your machine will probably give the best result. I would expect to pay around 15-20 quid per metre for polished tube

Downhilldai · 23 August 2008, 00:15

I've tried using a conduit bender on 1" OD 316 tube and it struggled, so I got it done by a chap with a mandrel bender - really tidy job, although the conduit bender made a pretty neat bend too.
Let me know if you need the details of the supplier.

Hightower · 23 August 2008, 10:22

I bent a couple of seat backs up for Slim Tim's boat on a conduit bender using an extension pole on the handle for a bit of extea leverage. The tube did flatten out a little, but didn't colapse, if you could get a form so that the tube is surrounded, you should fair better.

A photo of one of the seat backs http://rib.net/forum/showpost.php?p=...&postcount=117

Good luck

alystra · 25 August 2008, 14:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I am trying to get two seat backs made and don't much like the prices I am being quoted or the timescales. (£125 each, and they are very simple designs)
In the event of the last one I have to give me a price that is too expensive where would I be able to buy the correct 7/8 or 1" tube? I have a bending machine that can do this and can make all the brackets just leaving me to get it welded together.
I would two lengths around 2.2m each. Not sure of material spec other than 316L for bending ability which is why I am not sure where to buy.
Anybody know where I can get my hands on some?

Bruce,

Ardfern Yacht Centre stock lengths of SS tube. I got the bits for my tent supports from them. Might be worth giving them a call.

Bigmuz7 · 25 August 2008, 15:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

I've tried using a conduit bender on 1" OD 316 tube and it struggled, so I got it done by a chap with a mandrel bender - really tidy job, although the conduit bender made a pretty neat bend too.
Let me know if you need the details of the supplier.

Why is mandrel bending preferable in some cases?, and what exactly is it? I hear guys who make car exhausts talk a lot about it, and that it is a superior job for that purpose

Hightower · 25 August 2008, 19:57

I think a mandrel is a coiled spring that is inserted up the middle of the tube before bending takes place. Stops the pipe from deforming and is simply pulled out after use.

nugent · 25 August 2008, 21:06

proper bender mandrel style,, why are pics not attaching lol

nugent · 25 August 2008, 21:15

codprawn · 25 August 2008, 21:44

This is a mandrel bender in action - no coiled spring inside!!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...17327683443249

Bigmuz7 · 25 August 2008, 22:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

This is a mandrel bender in action - no coiled spring inside!!!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...17327683443249

Ok I saw the photos .. I watched the bad American sales vid .. and guess what .. I'm none the wiser

Ok .. I'll take a wild guess, the tube is kept in a former that prevents in wrinkling.. but I've seen some bending that reduces the tube diameter at the bent areas though. Is mandrel bending supposed to keep the tube diameter the same all the way round the bend as the straights

or what ?,

Downhilldai · 25 August 2008, 22:08

Yes - a lot of custom exhaust systems are bent using a compression bender which gives the effect of reducing the tube diameter throughout the bend. A mandrel bender will produce better results.

alystra · 25 August 2008, 23:42

Erm!.... It's interesting, but the guy just wants to know where he can buy some stainless tube. Does anyone else but me know?

Hightower · 26 August 2008, 00:28

Oh I see....The American word Mandrel, not the English one

bedajim · 26 August 2008, 08:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by alystra

Erm!.... It's interesting, but the guy just wants to know where he can buy some stainless tube. Does anyone else but me know?

RS do stainless conduit, which may fit a conduit bender

Andy Gee · 26 August 2008, 08:12

Bruce,
Try these guys, next day delivery in Scotland http://www.aalco.co.uk/range/stainless.html
Cheers
Andy

BruceB · 26 August 2008, 23:27

I had a word with Ardfern and they actually tried bending a bit without success. So it looks like it will need to go somewhere that the bend can be rolled rather than bent.
Still looking for a reasonable price and delivery time as well as someone who will actually make them, only two places have even said they could do it out of around 6-8 firms called.

bedajim · 27 August 2008, 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceB

I had a word with Ardfern and they actually tried bending a bit without success. So it looks like it will need to go somewhere that the bend can be rolled rather than bent.
Still looking for a reasonable price and delivery time as well as someone who will actually make them, only two places have even said they could do it out of around 6-8 firms called.

Mine came from here and they had stock on the shelf

http://www.marinefabrications.co.uk/

Jim