Bill in Oregon Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 I have never tried this. Does it behave at all like solid stock? Thinking twists in particular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothBore Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 2 hours ago, Bill in Oregon said: Does it behave at all like solid stock? Thinking twists in particular. No. The accepted technique for working any shape tube, ... hot or cold, ... is to fill it with sand, to prevent it from collapsing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 8, 2016 Share Posted October 8, 2016 If you want it to behave like solid stock you need to pack it with DRY sand and leave a vent hole. However there are some nice effects from working square tubing as is. Twisting cause the walls to collapse inward making a hollow sort of cable twist that can be wired for lights, etc. Bending tubing in arcs can be done a few different ways, special dies on a bender works, packing with sand works and passing cable through it ad winching it over a die works surprisingly well. All these have limits but. . . Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in Oregon Posted October 8, 2016 Author Share Posted October 8, 2016 Thanks so much, gentlemen. I was indeed thinking of making a floor lamp that could be internally wired. I'll try packing with dry sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 Greetings Bill, . You will find that filling square tubing with sand and twisting will end up with a mess.. My profile picture is square tubing twisted.. The best way I have found is to set down groves on all 4 sides . Holding the ends for twisting can be accomplished by cooling that portion prior to twisting. I hope this helps . I will try to take more detailed pictures and post for you.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlpservicesinc Posted October 9, 2016 Share Posted October 9, 2016 SQ tube also depends on wall thickness.. Different wall thicknesses offer different side profiles.. Steel shot inside the tube is much cleaner Vs sand but not as cheap.. if you use anything loose like sand or shot you have to cap the ends after filling and compacting to get the best side wall support. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in Oregon Posted October 9, 2016 Author Share Posted October 9, 2016 Thanks again, gents. Appreciate the warning -- and the steel shot suggestion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 If you have enough power available you can fill it with water or oil and have your way with it cold. I watched a logging crew making beautiful controlled bends in heavy wall still pipe by lacing a cable through it and using a dozer to bend it around tree stumps. The fabricator was directing the guys cutting the pipe, the helper lacing cable and the dozer operator. It was a thing of beauty to watch and we were drilling a good 100 yards away. I gave it a shot using plywood for the form and a truck winch. Crinkled square tubing till I tried motorcycle chain and it worked a treat. Frosty The Lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted October 10, 2016 Share Posted October 10, 2016 Bill, Just a few examples .. practice practice practice.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in Oregon Posted October 10, 2016 Author Share Posted October 10, 2016 Very nice work, Jim! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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