Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - bench bender

I just got a Harbour freight bench bender for bending flat steel stock. I figured out how to make a right angle bend and it works great but it's kinda complicated. Lots of dies and stuff but not very useful directions. I'm thinking that it's gonna be real useful once I figure it out. Does anyone have links to any how-to info on this thing? I'm sure it's a knock off of a popular brand.
Here's a link:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44094

I got one too. Sorry, no help from me. Look, see, feel type tool. I've bent some stuff, but got'ta go by the seat of the pants after that.

hoffman,

I have the same one in a floor model that I haven't taken out of the box yet.

<img src="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/31900-31999/31980-t.gif">
Image credit: harborfreight.com

I might open it up soon and when I do I'll see if there are any instructions.

It does have text instructions for making letters. I guess I need to go through them and figure out how to make common bends. I made a few brackets and it sure beats hammering stuff in a vice.

I bend a lot of copper tube in a bender and there are reference marks on the bender that tell you where to position the pipe.

There is an "L" on the bender that shows the bottom af a bend.
If you need to have a piece fit in a 12" space you mark 12" on the pipe and line this mark up with the "L" on the bender.
When you then make a 90 deg bend in the pipe, the piece will be 12" to the bottom of the bend.
There are other markings but this one is the most usefull.

The metal bender will work the same way and the instructions should have this info.
If not, you can make some practice bends and make your own reference points.

I also have one. I have used it for three years and it is great. I too wish I had a better user's manual for it. I have made all sorts of computer security devices and lockdowns for the college where I am employed. I am lucky to have a steel supplier nearby that will sell short lengths and small lots. I made security bars for my shop for less than $5.00 a window. If you find a third-party manual please post its availability. Good luck.

Curiosity got the better of me and I dug mine out of the corner and opened the box to find a 37 page manual.
It explains the operation fairly well and even has lengths to cut rod to make specific sized U bolts.
In addition there are instructions for what I really need :rolleyes:................ to be able to form every letter of the alphabet.

I found this (http://www.toolsplus1.com/images/set2.jpg) online but they want a pile of money for it:

<img src="http://www.toolsplus1.com/images/set2.jpg">
Image credit: toolsplus1.com


Funny thing, I noticed the same bender sell from $99.00 to $879.00! (http://www.cansaw.com/html/products/tools/lockdown/bender.htm) :eek:

The extra $800 is for the instructions :D I broke down and READ the instructions and discovered that this is a pretty neat rig.
Me like pictures...
I did make a couple of brackets that didn't suffer from the old "one leg is longer than the other" or a funky radius that I always get when bending stock in a vice.
You outta fire yours up and bend some stuff Greg.

Ya, I actually bough it to make a bunch of 3" u-bolts but after I did I found some u-bolts on sale for cheap.

I have most of the material to build an 8" x 20' tilting car hauler and even scrounged a 12v hydraulic power pack instead of a jack to do the lifting.
I'm sure I'll find something to bend when I get at it.

Like this:

<img src="http://www.hhtrailer.com/pictures/speedloadermx.jpg">
Image credit; hhtrailer.com