Bending 4mm steel rod by 90 degrees

[John MunroeParticipant @johnmunroe13164]

Hi

I'm trying to bend a 4mm steel rod by 90 degrees with just simple tools. The radius should be just around 5mm. Could a [wire bender like this](http://www.micromark.com/RS/SR/Product/60346_R.jpg) be used to bend rods?

Thanks

[John MunroeParticipant @johnmunroe13164]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Hold it in your vice sticking upwards with a bit of 10mm rod (assume 5mm internal radius) between it and one of the jaws then bend it down over the 10mm rod. If you hold a block of wood against the 4mm stock as you bend it the bend will be at the point you want it and not a long slow bend.

Can't get much simpler than that and in true Blue Peter Fassion her eis one I bent earlier

 

Edited By JasonB on 27/03/2016 10:14:02

[BizibilderParticipant @bizibilder]

Leave the bit to be bent as long as possible to help – trying to bend a tiddly bit of steel rod is not easy!! Cut to length after bending.

[John MunroeParticipant @johnmunroe13164]

@JasonB Thanks. How about a wire bender? Will that be able to manipulate 4mm rods?

[John MunroeParticipant @johnmunroe13164]

@JasonB Do you mean something like this

where red is the 10mm and blue is the stock. Do I put a block of wood against the stock and just keep hammering on the wood?

Thanks

[John MunroeParticipant @johnmunroe13164]

@Bizibilder Yeah, that was my thought too.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

A wire bender should specify it's max diameter of bend and stock.

As Jason demonstrates, small diameter rod is easy yo bend neatly with care, it's tube that is the challenge.

Neil

[Paul LousickParticipant @paullousick59116]

Heat red hot with a gas torch, quickly clamp in a vice and bend or bend over an anvil or solid block of steel before it cools.  Use a longer piece of rod and hold with gloved hand or by a pair of pliers. You can easily bend rod up to 10 or 12mm dia by hand when it is hot.

Edited By Paul Lousick on 27/03/2016 12:33:28

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

I agree with Paul Lousick, A hot bend is far less likely to cause stress fracturing that is often created when cold bending steel to a sharp corner.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Is 5mm internal rad on 4mm rod that sharp a sharp corner?

I just do it cold at those diameters, block of wood held against the right hand side of your drawing and bend it down by hand, give it a whack if you need to.

If you have a lot to do then something like this will make life quicker

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Here you go

Not too shabby for a 1 handed effort

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