05-11-2024, 12:03 PM
Another bending die. I dont have a bender for 1/2" or 5/8" tubing, and want to make custom hardline for the VintageAir A/C going in the '61 Impala. The heater core on the VA unit uses the same #10 ends as A/C connections so cant just clamp on a hose. So I bought some pre-swaged lengths of tubing. Even if I had a bender, you can never get your bend close enough to the end anyway. So 3D printing to the rescue.
But of course I messed up...after bending the 180 degree piece shown...I could not get it out of the die...duh!!!
Trying to carefully unbend it enough to get it out and it still kinked a bit. So lesson learned...print the die in two pieces (top and bottom) so you can remove the finished piece if doing full radius bends.
And dont mind the swiss cheese base...its the same piece from the previous bender shown earlier, because I hate "wasting", even if it does come out of the scrap bin.
But of course I messed up...after bending the 180 degree piece shown...I could not get it out of the die...duh!!!
Trying to carefully unbend it enough to get it out and it still kinked a bit. So lesson learned...print the die in two pieces (top and bottom) so you can remove the finished piece if doing full radius bends.
And dont mind the swiss cheese base...its the same piece from the previous bender shown earlier, because I hate "wasting", even if it does come out of the scrap bin.
Retired old guy finally living the dream and enjoying life to the fullest!!!