I'm just about done with the trailer. There are a few finish welds needed, some grinding, paint, and taillights. I had another go using the sand method to bend a back hoop. It was sort of ok but I say uncle. I ordered some steel and had it dropped at H&L Metals. Ray, the owner for the last eight years, is a cool guy. This place has been bending steel for big name digger builders forever. He will be bending it this week so I hope to see it at my place sometime the following week. I've spent to long screwing around with this, it's time to get busy.
If you get the chance try using water instead of sand (you can't compress water !), if you use sand (the finer the better) you have to put in an inch or two pack it very well, and repeat till it's full. The trailer came out nice.
That would be an interesting trick. How do you heat the tube enough to bend it without boiling the water and creating a steam bomb?
You don't heat the tube (it's not good to heat the tubing with sand in it either). To use water weld one end shut, fill with water, use a expandable freeze plug on the other end, put a strap over the plug with a couple small welds to hold it, use a long piece if tubing that can slip over the one you're bending, and bend away.
School me. If you don't heat the tube what do you bend it with? If you are using something like a Hossfeld (spelling?) or anything else with dies you don't need the sand. BTW, thanks for the kind words guys!
Huh.... brings back memories. Kerry, don't you carry extra freeze plugs with you? Yes, indeed!! Keep going - I can't wait to see it on the track! Malcolm
Kerry that looks awesome, i agree with Kiwi Kev your future does look bright! Did you get my e-mail regarding the manifold? I received it the other day... STOKED!
Yep, just hadn't gotten around to responding. Glad it found a good home. Now get building! Just a few Malcom. In fact I picked up 10 more in anticipation of the bending so I've got a good supply. ;-)
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