Welding Tips and Tricks

Could anyone recommend, a good roll bender?

I want to make a cannon of sorts.

I had round bar. I got 80 3/8 thick, 8 foot long bars and 80 of a thicker size.

I tried using a cheap Harbor Freight tube bender. I mean, it did bend. But, since the thing moves that holds the metal, it was uneven. Also, the two ends were flat. haha Plus, I can only bend to a point.

I do not have an air compressor. So, I could not get one that uses those. I don't want to spend thousands of dollars. I am getting the new Cintiq Pro 32, and Eric Johnson sig. guitar and a Paul Gilbert sig. guitar. haha So, spending less on the bender would be great.

I could make my own I guess. But, just wanted to see what was out there.

Even high end expensive rollers or benders will leave the small part at the end flat.

That is true. However, I watched a video with Kevin C on youtube. He rolled something, took it out, welded the two ends and them put it back in the machine and rolled again. Thus, making a perfect circle. But, that thing costs thousands of dollars. haha

There are several ways you can do the same thing. As long as the roller you have is capable of the bend, it’s just a matter of getting the part back on to the roller after it’s welded. If you just want it close then you can scribe a mark on your roller adjustment to make sure you get it set almost the same as you put it back in/or togeather with the part in it.

Don't know what your budget is, here is some I have looked at, from $ to $$$

Harbor Freight with SWAG enhancements

Pro-Tools

Baileigh

When you look at these they all seem to be the same unit (by design)

Thanks for the information.

I like those. They are small.

I am going to try a few things first. haha

I have to get some washers, so the freaking rollers don't move all over the place.

I just ordered a JET SR-2236 36 inch Slip Roll.

The thing is expensive and huge. haha But, it will allow me to work with bar as well as sheets.

I wonder, can I get different sized link rods? That would allow me to bend sizes other than that with which I can as it comes.

I am going to do a setup video and show myself using it. haha If they sell them on Amazon, I will post it there. If not, youtube it is.

But, I will still need a way to bend the 1/2 inch stuff.