I think I’m in love… with a metal bender :-)

[BikepeteParticipant @bikepete]

[BikepeteParticipant @bikepete]

Watch this and tell me you don't want one:

A whole lot of versatility and (in contrast to most sheet metal machines) it takes up very little space – it could live on the front of a work bench semi-permanently without getting in the way…

And even better, the inventor has posted a superb, clear write-up for anyone wanting to build their own! Click here. All looks do-able, and the electronics aren't too complicated either…

Think it's just stolen top spot on the projects 'to do' list…

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Two hours have elapsed, more than 250 people have looked at this posting and I'm surprised there are no comment yet.

I think its very impressive and within its capabilities is very useful tool. As my grandaughter would say the hinges are 'awesome'!.

What a breath of fresh air it is to see a designer selling a commercial product and freely giving so much design information away.

Yes I want one.

Ian P

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Clever stuff

And … being one that likes patent information:

**LINK**

MichaelG.

[john swift 1Participant @johnswift1]

I watched the video a while ago after a post here or possibly madmodder . net

I'm not a sheet metal worker but the magnabend bender looks like it will be a usefull

alternative for DIY metalworkers here

John

[SpurryParticipant @spurry]

Very neat tool. I wonder how much it costs….?

Pete

[Steven VineParticipant @stevenvine79904]

Posted by Spurry on 17/03/2016 23:09:18:

Very neat tool. I wonder how much it costs….?

Pete

The 650e was quoted at $3850AUD, about £2033. Gulp.

Steve

[Clive FosterParticipant @clivefoster55965]

The hinges are indeed awesome and will take some careful engineering to replicate. Hafta be a lot better at 3D visualisation than I to figure exactly how to get the right pivot and rotation on the upper joint. Basic prinicples are pretty clear but calculating the detail dimensions to make it work is a whole nother thing.

The bend angle stop system on the handles is excellent too. Good example of lateral thinking and much better than the usual protractor thingy.

Clive.

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Very clever, extremely well thought out. Although it's not cheap the price isn't outrageous, when the price of a conventional folder is considered.

Well done Mr Magna-Bend, the best of luck!!

cheers

Bill

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

[JAParticipant @ja]

Very impressive and I also want one …….. If only I had a nice clean workshop.

I fear that all the steel debris, lost small nuts and bolts etc in my workshop would migrate to the residual magnetism of the clamp and hinder its use. When in use I guess the clamping strip would act like a keeper and the strong magnetic field from the electromagnet would not be a problem. However, I would think the steel core of the magnet would retain some magnetism after use, but I may be wrong. Even so a demagnetizing system could be easily built in.

Sorry, I feel I have been a wet blanket.

JA

[BikepeteParticipant @bikepete]

JA, re residual magnetism – that's addressed by the inventor at some length here. Seems the circuit delivers a 'reverse pulse' to get rid of it…

[JAParticipant @ja]

Posted by Bikepete on 18/03/2016 09:18:51:

JA, re residual magnetism – that's addressed by the inventor at some length here. Seems the circuit delivers a 'reverse pulse' to get rid of it…

Thanks. I read the main article before going to bed and wrote the above on getting up.

JA

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

I quite like how neatly it can bend to offset angles.

The angle scale is a must.

Michael W

Edited By Michael Walters on 18/03/2016 11:08:25

[frank brownParticipant @frankbrown22225]

I can't see how you would bend up a tray. You need fingers to go inside the first two bent sides.. Selection of shorter clamps?

Frank

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Posted by frank brown on 18/03/2016 11:55:52:

I can't see how you would bend up a tray. You need fingers to go inside the first two bent sides.. Selection of shorter clamps?

Frank

If you watch the video, at about 4 mins in you will see their solution to this.

[Philip TruemanParticipant @philiptrueman]

**LINK**

I have a Magnabend 1250E I bought it about 10 years ago and use it a lot. I manufacture traliers for gliders and i use it for all the small bends. I have even used it to fold the long edge of a 2500mm sheet but i had to re position it 5 times to get a 90 degree bend. It bends up to 1.6mm galvanised steel and short pieces of 3mm mild steel. I nearly bought a 3200 model on e bay but i ended up buying a plain 2500mm sheet metal bender which weighs nearly 1 ton.

There is not a lot that you cannot bend with the magnabend. It is very accurate at folding. I had a few problems with a couple of the resisters but the release mechanism problem is solved now.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

There is a later type of bed design for these benders. Fabricated and possibly (very) slightly reduced magnetic field.

Also a fresh design for the hinges, making them easily constructed by any competent hobbyist.

I’ve got a pile of bits suitable for making one – but not the copper – and intended starting earlier than now. I might make a start by the end of the year, but that will be dependent on increasing my workshop area, which is not looking good!

[Philip TruemanParticipant @philiptrueman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LFNo6zW-Iw

Here is a link to an engineer who is making some magnetic benders just like the magnabend.

 

 

Edited By Philip Trueman on 20/07/2021 07:40:07

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Posted by not done it yet on 20/07/2021 07:22:25:

There is a later type of bed design for these benders. Fabricated and possibly (very) slightly reduced magnetic field.

Also a fresh design for the hinges, making them easily constructed by any competent hobbyist.

I’ve got a pile of bits suitable for making one – but not the copper – and intended starting earlier than now. I might make a start by the end of the year, but that will be dependent on increasing my workshop area, which is not looking good!

Do you have a link for the hinges and the later bed design please?

Gray

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Do you have a link for the hinges and the later bed design please?

Googling “Magnabend handyman” will throw up several facets of the easier build.

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by Bikepete on 17/03/2016 20:37:11:

Watch this and tell me you don't want one:………

OK, I don't want one. Haven't got space

[Keith HaleParticipant @keithhale68713]

Is that all it does?

My wife has got one made in the mid+40's and she reckons that her's is far more versatile. It cuts grass, trims hedges, makes tea, and carries shopping. The list is endless!

Like Duncan, haven't got space for another one!

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

Not much use if you suffer with back problems, impressed with the deep channel that can be bent as a swan neck tool has its limitations.

Bob

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