Stainless tubing

[BruceB]

I am trying to get two seat backs made and don't much like the prices I am being quoted or the timescales. (£125 each, and they are very simple designs)
In the event of the last one I have to give me a price that is too expensive where would I be able to buy the correct 7/8 or 1" tube? I have a bending machine that can do this and can make all the brackets just leaving me to get it welded together.
I would two lengths around 2.2m each. Not sure of material spec other than 316L for bending ability which is why I am not sure where to buy.
Anybody know where I can get my hands on some?

[codprawn]

What sort of bender do you have? Many types are not suitable despite what they claim as I found out to my cost!!!

[BruceB]

Conduit bender with 25mm formers.
I have come across problems with bending stainless before whcih is why I need a spec or place to order.

[martini]

316L is 316L pretty much. You might be best getting hold of a small off cut 1st and putting it through your bender, theres every chance you wont be happy with the result. The heaviest gauge that you can physically bend in your machine will probably give the best result. I would expect to pay around 15-20 quid per metre for polished tube

[Downhilldai]

I've tried using a conduit bender on 1" OD 316 tube and it struggled, so I got it done by a chap with a mandrel bender - really tidy job, although the conduit bender made a pretty neat bend too.
Let me know if you need the details of the supplier.

[Hightower]

I bent a couple of seat backs up for Slim Tim's boat on a conduit bender using an extension pole on the handle for a bit of extea leverage. The tube did flatten out a little, but didn't colapse, if you could get a form so that the tube is surrounded, you should fair better.

A photo of one of the seat backs http://rib.net/forum/showpost.php?p=...&postcount=117


Good luck

[alystra]

Originally Posted by BruceB

I am trying to get two seat backs made and don't much like the prices I am being quoted or the timescales. (£125 each, and they are very simple designs)
In the event of the last one I have to give me a price that is too expensive where would I be able to buy the correct 7/8 or 1" tube? I have a bending machine that can do this and can make all the brackets just leaving me to get it welded together.
I would two lengths around 2.2m each. Not sure of material spec other than 316L for bending ability which is why I am not sure where to buy.
Anybody know where I can get my hands on some?

Bruce,

Ardfern Yacht Centre stock lengths of SS tube. I got the bits for my tent supports from them. Might be worth giving them a call.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

I've tried using a conduit bender on 1" OD 316 tube and it struggled, so I got it done by a chap with a mandrel bender - really tidy job, although the conduit bender made a pretty neat bend too.
Let me know if you need the details of the supplier.

Why is mandrel bending preferable in some cases?, and what exactly is it? I hear guys who make car exhausts talk a lot about it, and that it is a superior job for that purpose

[Hightower]

I think a mandrel is a coiled spring that is inserted up the middle of the tube before bending takes place. Stops the pipe from deforming and is simply pulled out after use.

[nugent]

proper bender mandrel style,, why are pics not attaching lol