Timothy Miller Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 This may or may not be an original idea. But I came up with this on my own. I have seen a similar tool of different construction at the Memphis Metals Museum. I was inspired by an old tire bender with rollers that could be dropped into different grooves for quick adjustment. It is a tool for bending straightening stock in the fly press that leaves no marks on the stock. I find it especially useful for bending top and bottom rails on curved railings. It is good for making irregular bends that don't follow a consistent arc. My Fly press, I think is a #8 I got it an auction for $55 it is a bit sloppy, has no stop nut and it seems like the thread was shortened at some point but it does the job. This tool will handle up to 1 1/4" hot rolled cold. The axles that the blocks swivel on are 3/4" 4140 and the rest is hot rolled steel. The blocks swivel to lie flat against the stock so that it leaves no marks. The blocks also have a round cut away to cradle round stock as well there are a few different rams as well. In addition I have a set of V-blocks and matching ram for bending steel on the diamond not pictured. You can take a bar and bump it with the top ram to produce long gentle curves or take kinks out of stock in a precise controlled way. Though it is difficult because to do with one person because the fly wheel is so large and heavy but it is doable. The the swiveling blocks can be placed in different grooves allow sharper or loosed bends. This is the most used fly press tool in our shop. All of my tooling is welded to 8" x 8" plates that bolt down to the press bed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monstermetal Posted September 28, 2011 Share Posted September 28, 2011 I have a set up much like that only it is two round pins with 6 grooves that I use for straightening stuff in my fly press.. I bet the square blocks are better for not marking stuff... I might have to make some square blocks for my holder... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 This are some additional photos of a tool for bending square on the diamond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Keep 'em coming - these are great tool pics! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Great ideas and well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosterob Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 That is better than what I do, two round pins adjustable for different openings. time for an upgrade Thank you. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dillon Sculpture Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 I like, the diamond bend is defiantly on the list of to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Great tooling! What's the deal with the stop blocks under the v-blocks? Wouldn't there be less chance of marking if they did pivot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 With a good sized flypress the pivots would bend with a good thunk so having a stop underthem would help prevent that. I have a couple of pieces of 4x3" stock I often use in my screwpress and it's amusing to watch them *flex* when I slam the ram down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Nice pictures southshore, great idea too! I had the pleasure of seeing Daniel Miller show a demo on how he uses a fly press for his work. Outstanding!! I had no idea about the power, control and versatility one can achieve with a fly press. Thanks for sharing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkunkler Posted October 4, 2011 Share Posted October 4, 2011 Great tooling! What's the deal with the stop blocks under the v-blocks? Wouldn't there be less chance of marking if they did pivot? It looks like they are allowed to pivot somewhat and the stops prevent the v-blocks from flopping over when positioning stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted October 5, 2011 Author Share Posted October 5, 2011 You hit the nail on the head dkunker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted October 5, 2011 Share Posted October 5, 2011 Best thing about flypresses is that they are *Quiet*, get a Fisher anvil and a good flypress and you can do a LOT of work without annoying the neighbors! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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