Making a bending iron...

Dusepo

Dusepo

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I have a piece of aluminium pipe, and can get a copper one the same no problem. Thanks to the government, I can't get hold of the right type of lightbulb anymore. Good for the environment, bad for luthiers. The energy saving ones never get hot enough. What could I use as an alternative hear source? Would a soldering iron inside the pipe work? I'm concerned about the dangers of using a blowtorch.
 
Others have also used those heating elements you buy to start your charcoal fire, and I have read of several successful uses of heat guns or hair dryers as a heat source. Fortunately, we can still buy 100W light bulbs in some stores in the US (for now), and I picked a few packages up at Home Depot last year for safe keeping.
 
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The electric heat gun sounds like a much better (and safer) alternative. Found a cheap one in Argos and got it. Will let you know how it goes. :)
 
I have used both an electric heat gun and a plumber's torch. I like the torch better because it is much quieter and uses less energy. The heating element in a heat gun uses a lot of electricity. The torch seems safe and quiet at a very low flame and provides plenty of heat...but I still have a fire extenguisher close by whenever I am using either heat source.
 

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Ken W said:
I have used both an electric heat gun and a plumber's torch. I like the torch better because it is much quieter and uses less energy. The heating element in a heat gun uses a lot of electricity. The torch seems safe and quiet at a very low flame and provides plenty of heat...but I still have a fire extenguisher close by whenever I am using either heat source.
Click to expand...

I think the secret to using the propane torch safely is putting it in a good holder, as you have done with that clamp.

By the way, I had trouble finding a good aluminum tube around here. I found several stainless steel ones that were originally kitchen devices of one type or another. The other day, I was in a thrift store looking, and I found a stash of aluminum bats for $4 each. They are the standard bat size of 2 1/4" diameter, and fairly thick. They should make good pipes when you cut the handles off, but I haven't tried to make one with them yet. Since they already have the big end closed, you don't need to add a baffle, but only drill a few holes in the end for the air.
 
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Here's my bending pipe. Just a 1-1/4" water pipe with a heatgun. There's a hole in the board to let the hot air out. Clever how they made the gun to fit the pipe connector exactly :p
 

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I've ben using a propane torch for a while for guitar sides for a while and it works great and really has been pretty safe.
 
I've got a pair of 250w cartrdge heaters set into a 2" dia solid aluminium round bar. It heats up quickly and retains the heat well. I can switch it off completely and continue working for a while, then turn it back on for a few seconds here and there to top up the heat..
 
I use a 2 1/2" galvy pipe mounted in a bench vise and a propane torch when I need to hand bend. I made a cap from the lower half of a soda can and punched a few holes in to and slipped it over the end of the pipe. It helps to contain the heat and keeps me from burning the lint in my belly button.
 
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I use a 40mm dia piece of alloy tube (Copper, brass, iron,or stainless steel,works just as good)...It came off a golf Cart steering column ..some of the bends I require are pretty tight..So I squashed the pipe in the vise (vice) a bit to give it an oval shape....it works for me:).
 
Without being in any way immodest, this might help...



Although most people who visit here know of my videos it might help to also know that I have covered practically every aspect of building. Also Dusepo, as you are in the UK you can always buy some time in my workshop and I'll help you with your problems...
 
SweetWaterBlue said:
I think the secret to using the propane torch safely is putting it in a good holder, as you have done with that clamp.

By the way, I had trouble finding a good aluminum tube around here. I found several stainless steel ones that were originally kitchen devices of one type or another. The other day, I was in a thrift store looking, and I found a stash of aluminum bats for $4 each. They are the standard bat size of 2 1/4" diameter, and fairly thick. They should make good pipes when you cut the handles off, but I haven't tried to make one with them yet. Since they already have the big end closed, you don't need to add a baffle, but only drill a few holes in the end for the air.
Click to expand...

I used to manage a chandlery that sold sailboat hardware. I can't tell you how many alumimum spinaker pole cut offs of every size up to 4" or 5" diameter went in the trash. I didn't grab any. Stupid..
 
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