Mandrel Bends? - diy Softtop bows

[joyRidaz]

Was curious if anyone has the ability to do about 10 mandrel bends on 1" tube? I can provide payment in cash, beer, or barter.

I have aspirations to make softop bows this winter for my 40. In theory I have the side pieces and top pieces that frame the hard doors, arriving shortly. Now I have to figure out the bows following Pin_head's diy. Online the prefab bends are quite pricy and I am not finding some of the more obscure bends.

All bends on 1" 16 gauge steel tube, here's what I'm trying to have done.
- 2 inch 90 degree elbow (6 total)
- 35 degree (2 total)
- 55 degree (2 total)

Or if anyone has a good shop or guy that isn't terribly expensive please let me know.

Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[NCFJ]

Here is a quick and easy method
Klein Tools 1 in. Conduit Bender and Handle-56205 - The Home Depot

 

[Mtbcoach]

Why the need for mandrel bends, usually only "needed" for tubing used for air flow.

I have a JD squared bender and a 1" die, 180 degree, 3" center-center radius and can bend from 0.058-solid steel and aluminum. Ramon and I used it to build his seat rails for his FJ40, made some very nice bends.

Not sure where you are located, I'm in Cary (Raleigh) and might be able to help you out...

 

[joyRidaz]

Not sure if he benefit of mandrel bending but that's specifically what the diy write up called for. Maybe for strength or to prevent kinks, not sure. I'm a newb at this sort of thing.

PinHead mentioned that he tried making the bends but the tube collapsed, which is why I assume he suggested the mandrel prebent tube.

 

[JohnVee]

I have one of the hand benders that Stan linked to. Feel free to take it and try. Lemme clean 10+yrs of dust off it first.

IDEA! Use it to bend up some heep racks or bumpers or some crap like that. Sell them to morons. Use the cash to buy Real Steel bows. Wait......never mind...PVC won't work in it.

 

[joyRidaz]

Cool, thanks @JohnVee / @NCFJ. I'll plan to try using that conduit bender first before anything else. If that fails I'll plan to be in touch with @Mtbcoach.

I've read that packing the tube with sand might minimize the kinks.

As for being too cheap to buy reel steel, I figured I'd rather save that coin so I can get the softtop quicker

 

[JohnVee]

Text me after 10am tmrw to remind me while I'm down in the hole of my basement.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Not sure if he benefit of mandrel bending but that's specifically what the diy write up called for. Maybe for strength or to prevent kinks, not sure. I'm a newb at this sort of thing.

PinHead mentioned that he tried making the bends but the tube collapsed, which is why I assume he suggested the mandrel prebent tube.

Again, the benefit is zero compression of the tubing at the bend, allowing unrestricted airflow as used in headers, exhaust and intake, not as much a strength issue. I can't imagine strength being an issue supporting the soft top using 1x0.060" tubing Doing a quick search, I could not find a source for 1" mandrel bent tubing or dies for a machine capable of doing mandrel bends. With no disprespect to Pinhead, I think he is using the term in error.

I had zero kinks doing Ramon's seat rails in his FJ40, again, don't know what bender Pinhead used or why he had kinks. I can assure you in that your best chance at getting kinks is using a conduit bender. Yet, I've got no dog in this fight, good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[NCFJ]

I suggested the conduit bender because it is a cheap easy way to bend tube if you do not have a mandrel bender at your disposal. I cant see bending bows being all that critical

 

[joyRidaz]

Pretty fired up, got a box of goodies in the mail for my future diy bows project.

Both the side-posts and the rail pieces that go above the doors, look to be in decent shape. I do have one dent that will need to be worked. I feel I got a pretty good deal on these so I expected some work.

I was happy to discover that the side posts seem compatible with my late model 40, so I don't need to have them angled.

More pics and progress to come in a few months.

In theory, here is the diy that I hope to follow as best I can:

DIY OEM soft top bows

 

[Cirbo]

I have the same bending ability that Mtbcoach mentioned, but I'm located in Fort Mill, if that helps.

jC