17 replies to this topic

[snolde]

This idea came form tying to bend the tuning fork rails for a retro can-am chassis.

I marked angle and length measurements on my  wire bending jig.

 

 

 

Used one of these Harbor Freight things and a scratch awl to mark up the bender.

Length marks are 1/4 inch apart ( the vertical marks to the right of the steel post)

 

 

30 degrees shown here

 

This simple mod made bending a little easier and faster.

 

 

[Tex]

good job.... work smarter, not harder.....

[Eddie Fleming]

Are there any good wire benders available today?

[snolde]

Eddie,

Mine is an RGEO that I think works well, only one I have ever used so nothing to compare it with.

It does get the job done.

[Eddie Fleming]

I am not at all sure I need one Scott but for some things it could be handy.

 

And for sure it would be a new toy to play with.

[snolde]

I am not at all sure I need one Scott but for some things it could be handy.

 

And for sure it would be a new toy to play with.

the best thing that it is for is putting multiple bends in the same wire, like tuning fork rails.

The bender makes it easier to keep the wire flat when it is bent, and to duplicate the bends for additional rails.

[Richie]

PSC makes a wire bender as well

[Eddie Fleming]

I did find the PSC one earlier. 

 

It is good up to .062 and that should be heavy enough. I can count the times I have bent .078 on one hand and have several fingers to spare.

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[snolde]

I did find the PSC one earlier. 

 

It is good up to .062 and that should be heavy enough. I can count the times I have bent .078 on one hand and have several fingers to spare.

Here is a good look at the RGEO bender

http://slotblog.net/...ender-tutorial/

[Eddie Fleming]

Is the RGeo available?

[snolde]

Is the RGeo available?

Yes, checked at Professor Motor and PCH parts express and they have them in stock or ASCR can order one for you

[MSwiss]

Eddie,
You are too recent on the Retro scene to remember the short lived jaildoor craze which lead me to request Geary / Backtrack to come up with a bending jig.

It was first incorporated in the building jig and then later offered as a separate plate.

It was once a popular item, but has petered out.

I think what disappointed many was the inability to do more like bend in 2 different directions.

IOW, a 90 bend, and then a short perpendicular 90.

http://slotblog.net/...e +bending +jig

[Eddie Fleming]

Mike I was out of slots from the early 90s until 2014. I got back in just as Retro Hawks were taking over. So I missed the Jail door thing, unless you count the 1960s.

 

Most of my building is done with one bend per wire.

 

I do like to try new tools and the benders look interesting for making repetitive or mirror parts with multiple bends. I am not at all sure I need a bender but I like window shopping too. 

 

Thanks for the link.

[Bill from NH]

Separate plates are more useful.  When incorporated with a chassis jig, if you're building on the jig, then have to remake, rebend, or make another piece, you first have to clear your chassis build off the jig before you can use the bender. I have both the 2-in-1 jig & a plated bender. I don't think either can bend larger than .063" dia. That's when the 10" linesmen pliers come out.

[MSwiss]

Mike I was out of slots from the early 90s until 2014. I got back in just as Retro Hawks were taking over. So I missed the Jail door thing, unless you count the 1960s.
 
Most of my building is done with one bend per wire.
 
I do like to try new tools and the benders look interesting for making repetitive or mirror parts with multiple bends. I am not at all sure I need a bender but I like window shopping too. 
 
Thanks for the link.

I spent a little bit of time trying to figure out how to make the bending plate I marketed for Geary more versatile, and it just didn't seem possible.

Speaking of multiple bending, coincidentally, last night my wife mentioned how my stepson texted her, mentioning a how a good friend of his, from grammar and high school, was moving to our town.

She googled the address and her eyes popped out at the real estate listing for the house.

I asked what he does and she thought his family owns a small business.

Eric confirmed that with a subsequent text.

The company sounded vaguely familiar and I Googled it.

It turns out they were a neighbor of ours at the last location Koford Eng. was at, before being bought out.

[Richie]

Even trying oil etc I just can't get a wire bender to bend exactly qhere I need it. Played with where to start the bend etc...has just never worked out. User error i'm sure.

[snolde]

Even trying oil etc I just can't get a wire bender to bend exactly qhere I need it. Played with where to start the bend etc...has just never worked out. User error i'm sure.

 

Bend both rails at the same time,

 

Put two rails as if you were going to make a multi rail main rail.

I am using Chigagoland plated .055 wire.

 

Only solder at the ends of the two rails, make sure the wire is flat on the block when they are tacked together, I flipped my building jig over and drilled a couple of 1/16 holes to put pins in for alignment purposes.

 

Put the assembly on your bending jig edge wise, one on top of another.

Your warranty may be voided!!! 

 

Bend the wire to whatever angle you need, 45 deg. in this case.

 

Flip the whole thing over and measure out the distance you need between the two bends.

 

Bend the wire again with another 45 deg. angle

 

 

And there you go, might need to tweak the rails to make them perfect.

 

[Richie]

Thanks Scott! I appreciate that!