Simple rib bender

[polkat]

I've been asking about this a few times. Built it this morning. Used a 4" piece of pipe squished down to an oval of about 3-1/2". There is still enough air flowing through it that I can plug the igniter directly into the wall and get a very nice temp across the bending area. In the pic is a set of ribs for a Chanot style (cornerless) violin that I bent this afternoon with no problems.

Thanks to all for the advice!

[Charles Morritz]

I really like the console tv work bench!

Cheers

[Evan Smith]

Nice Iron !

Nice ribs !

Didn't I see that TV in leave it to beaver?

[Scott S]

Is that a water heater element? What voltage and watts is it? What type of metal is your pipe?

Scott

[Addie]

Now that you've made it, can you describe the components and process? I'm not a maker, but I've replaced linings, cold bent. It might be nice to try the hot method.

Or did I miss it in another topic?

[saintjohnbarleycorn]

good idea, looks like a heating element to a broiler, or rotisserie, a hot water won't work unless in water, it will burn out.

[polkat]

Well, I planned this thing to be a bit more elaborate, but didn't need to go that far.

The pipe is aluminum (I think), 1/8" thick walls, originally 4" wide (OD) but squished down to about 3-1/2". I actually found it on the street! I think it's some kind of ducting pipe. It's mounted to a 2x4 board (which I clamp to the TV) with threaded rod. The heating element is a electric barbecue charcoal igniter, 120 vac-550 watts (Kmart or Walmart for about $10). The pipe size makes tight bends like on C bouts a bit hard to do, but I have a smaller pipe that clips inside and sticks out the front for that.

The elements are not squeezed together and the heater is held in the back with a small bolt (visable at the top/back of the pipe. The element sides just clear the pipe and do not touch it. I tried it with plans to add a dimmer to control the temp range, but found that the pipe was big enough to pass enough air so that the heater provides just the right heat without a dimmer (but you don't want to sit close up right in front of it-unless it's cold outside :-)

Yep, that TV has been in my garage since just about when "Leave it to Beaver" originally went off the air. My philosophy: what the heck? If you've got it, use it.

[Scott S]

For anyone interested, I found the element at Walmart website for $9.97. Search for Barbecue Electric Charcoal Starter.

Scott

[polkat]

Walmart usually has them in the garden department. Kmart also has them, and I believe OSH has them too.