Bending stainless steel rod

[dedee]

Supposing I could get hold off some short lengths of 5mm diameter stainless steel rod. How easy would it be to bend? Over a distance of about 12" I would only need the apex of the curve to rise about 1".

If I were to cut the curve in the middle of a block of wood & then place the rod between the two pieces and clamp together would that produce a curved rod or a spring?

Would brass bend more easily than stainless steel?

If bending stainless rod is possible (in a simple home workshop) where can I obtain a short length ie about 1m?

Andy



Andy

 

[ike]

If I were to cut the curve in the middle of a block of wood & then place the rod between the two pieces and clamp together would that produce a curved rod or a spring?

You can easily bend it just by hand to the desired curve.

Would brass bend more easily than stainless steel?

Yes.

where can I obtain a short length ie about 1m?

Don't know about mail order, but could try your Yellow pages for metal/steel stockholders for starters.

cheers,

Ike

 

[Alf]

Dunno about the length, or price compared to elsewhere, but FES has it.

Cheers, Alf

 

[ike]

You can easily bend it just by hand to the desired curve.

P'raps I should elaborate that I would use the wooden former, clamping the rod at one end and then just wrapping the rod around it. The former radius needs to be a bit less than the deired radius to allow for some springback.

cheers

IKe

 

[dedee]

Thanks Ike, as the prices from FES (thanks Alf) are not expensive for the quantities I require it is worth a go.

Andy

 

[Waka]

Andy

Is this you're curve for the comp?

 

[jasonB]

Stainless comes in different grades, go for grade 304 which is made for bending, it also has the advantage of the best surface finish, I used it on my table and bench and got a nice satin finish by spinning it in the lath and sanding with 320g silicon carbide. 5mm will be no problem to bend

I get mine from Surrey Stainless Steels ltd 020 8684 9596, they are just round the corner from Ikea/B&Q in Croydon.

Jason

 

[dedee]

Is this you're curve for the comp?

Maybe .... not telling.... :roll: :wink:

Jason, Thanks

 

[Hitch]

Bending in a former will be the best bet, with a radius slightly tighter than required.
Just bending over something with a large rad, you won't get an even curve all along the length, right to the ends.


If you want a very smooth and even dull polish a piece of scotchbrite and a little t-cut will work a dream. For grained, as Jason said.

 

[WonderWoman]

If your looking for rods try www.modellersmate.co.uk

 

[dedee]

Hitch, thanks. My requirements are for two pieces of identical shape. I hope that by cutting a curve in the middle of a block of wood, thereby making a press, that I should be able to achieve this. All I need to do is cut an accurate curve on the jigsaw.

Sometimes I wish that I did not lay awake at night thinking up this ideas :lol:


Andy

 

[Hitch]

If the developed (straight) length is 300mm, make your formers slightly longer, say 350, then bend, trim back the excess after, or you might still get small flats on the end, unless you can exert quite a force!

 

[jasonB]

Dedee you will get a more accurate former if you use a router and tremmel to swing a suitable arc, if you use a 5mm dia bit you will get a suitable male & female former in one go.

And make sure you use a hard wood.

Jason

 

[dedee]

Thanks guys, I can see this is going to be fun. I have had to order a 3m length so I will have plenty to play with.

Andy