Bending steel

[Dave]

Hi Gang

Fuselage is coming along nicely but am now done with the easy stuff. I need to bend the 4130 tubing to form the shapes for the vertical fin, rudder, horizontal stab, etc. Does anyone have any suggestions or "this worked good for me" tips? For example, is it best to heat the tubing? Should I try to fill the tubing with sand to prevent kinking?

I have bent tubing in the past and it came out OK, but not as nice as I would like. There has to be a better way.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Dave

[splischke]

I bent all my empennage tubes, including the 3/4" stabilizer leading edge, cold using primitive methods (form blocks and a conduit bender). No tubes were filled to prevent kinking. The secret is to make many little bends to form a smooth continuous large bend. Go slow and check the shape often. Piece of cake. Below are some thumbnails from my picture gallery at www.thehatz.com



-Scott

[Dave]

Thanks for the advise Scott. Your tubes look great. I helped a buddy bend tubes for a Super Cub he is building and he insisted on heating the tubes. We got them bent but were not the prettiest thing I have seen. Your method looks like a winner.

Dave