COMPACT BENDER Floor 38470 ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS & PROJECT IDEAS Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein. Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools®. 3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011 Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com Read this material before using this product. Failure to do so can result in serious injury. Save this manual.
THANK YOU for choosing a HARBOR FREIGHT TOOLS product. For future reference, please complete the owner’s record below: Model___________ Serial No._____________ Purchase Date_____________ Save This Manual You will need the manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly instructions, operating and maintenance procedures, parts list and diagram. Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside of the front cover.
9. Use the right tool for the job. Do not attempt to force a small tool or attachment to do the work of a larger industrial tool. There are certain applications for which this tool was designed. Do not modify this tool and do not use this tool for a purpose for which it was not intended. 10. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, use common sense. Do not operate any tool when you are tired. 11. Check for damaged parts.
Warning: Welding Precautions (Continued) The electrode, and especially the welding rods become very hot during welding. Exercise extreme caution to prevent burns to yourself or others. Note: Read and adhere to all warnings and instructions in the instruction manual provided by the manufacturer of the welder being used. Assembly Your Compact Bender-Floor will require complete assembly prior to operation.
Step 4) Place the Ring Assembly Spacer (#6) inside the arms of the Ring Assembly/Die Receiver (#10) between the back two holes-see Figure 1. Insert the Mounting Bolt (#15) through the Ring Assembly/Die Receiver (#10), through the Ring Assembly Spacer (#6) and through the bottom hole in the Ring Assembly/Die Receiver. Tighten it into place with the remaining Nut (#14). Step 5) The Inner Handle (#8) slides into the Outer Handle/ Die Receiver (#9) and is held in place by a Handle Pin and Hair Clip (#12).
How the Holes Are Numbered Throughout this manual, the holes are often identified by a specific number, i.e., the 3rd hole in the Handle.There are five (5) holes referred to in the Outer Handle/Die Receiver (#9) and 5 holes referred to in the Ring Assembly (#10). For clarification of each hole and its corresponding number, please refer to Figure 3 below.
Placement of Die Dies are placed at one or two different locations depending on the bend to be made: • A die can be used in conjunction with the Short Hitch Pin (#2) at the intersection of the Outer Handle/Die Receiver (#9) and the Ring Assembly/Die Receiver (#10). • The Die can also be placed on the Outer Handle/Die Receiver (#9).
Figure 5 - Stop Block Orientation A B C D Use of the Right Angle Bend Attachment You will want to use the Right Angle attachment instead of the Stop Block when making a right angle or sharp bend in the stock. The Right Angle Attachment fits on the Compact Bender only one way. Step 1) Install the Support Pin (#5) under the Right Angle attachment. This will raise it up so that it sits above the Ring Assembly/Die Receiver-see Figure 6.
Stop Step 1) Test and decide the amount and distance of Handle rotation to make the desired bend. Step 2) Place the Stop (#4) into the next hole (clockwise) after your rotation is complete. Adjustable Stop Loop Use the Adjustable Stop Loop (#26) for stops where a finer adjustment is needed. The Adjustable Stop Loop allows for more precise stops as it can be adjusted whereas the Stop (#4) is simply placed into a hole on the Ring.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT OR THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT.
Assembly Diagram “B” 10 #38470 Page 11
MAKING HANDLES Project Ideas Round Stock To make handles using round stock, the Square Stop Block (#3) is used rather than the Right Angle Attachment. Use a 10” piece of 5/8” round stock and two sections of flat stock for the ends. The measurements given are general guides only. Measurements should be adjusted according to your preferences and specific needs. If changing stock size, you will have to experiment to obtain the best points for each bend.
Step 2) Mark off the material as shown below. Insert the stock into the Bender to the first mark. Bend to 90 degrees. 2nd 3rd 1-3/4” 1-3/4” 1st Bend 4th 1-3/4” 1-3/4” Step 3) You may want to set up the Bender with the Adjustable Stop for repeated bends. Step 4) Flip the stock around and insert the end opposite the bend. Insert it to the 2nd mark and make a 90 degree bend. Step 5) Reverse the stock and make the 3rd bend at the 3rd mark.
Step 5) Bend the stock past 180° until the die on the Outer Handle slides off of the stock. Step 6) Remove the Square Stop Block (#3) and the die. Put on the Right Angle Bending Attachment (#7). Step 7) With the workpiece as tight against the Long Hitch Pin (#1) in the center as is possible, make a right angle bend-see Figure 10.
Length Inner Diameter #38470 Page 15
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Making Individual Letters of the Alphabet Directions and tips for creating each letter of the alphabet are included in the following section. The information given is based on use of 3/16” flat stock, and a 1” max. width. The letters created by using these steps are six (6”) high and 1” deep. When creating each letter make certain that you use hot-rolled mild steel. Aluminum can also be used.
The Letter “B” Three blanks are required for this letter: • 8-7/8” long • 8-7/8” long • 6” long 3rd 4th 2nd 1st Bend 2-3/4” 1” 1” 2-3/4” Step 1) Using chalk mark off 2-3/4” in from each side. Mark off one inch from the first chalk mark on each side. Do the same for the second 8-7/8” blank. Step 2) Set the Right Angle Bend Attachment into place. Step 3) Set the stock in the Bender so that the Right Angle Bend Attachment will bend at the first chalk mark. Bend to 45 degrees.
The Letter “D” Two blanks are required for this letter: • 12-1/2” long • 6” long 2nd 3rd 4th 1st Bend 3” 3” 1-1/4” 1-1/4” Step 1) Using long blank, mark off 3” in from each side. Then measure in and mark off 1-1/4” on each side. Step 2) Make a bend to 45°at the first chalk mark. Slide the stock to the second mark and bend to 45°. Step 3) Pull out the stock and insert the opposite end. Repeat step 2. Step 4) Make certain that both ends of the “D” are equal.
The Letter “F” Two blanks are required for this letter: • 10-1/2”” • 2-1/2” 1st Bend Step 1) Using the long blank, mark off 4-9/16” in from one side. Step 2) Make a bend to 90° at the first chalk mark. Step 3) Weld on the 2-1/2” piece at the center of the F. The Letter “G” Two blanks are required for this letter: • 14” long 3rd 4th • 3” long 3-3/4” 1” 2nd 1” 1st Bend 3-3/4” 1st Bend 1” Step 1) Using chalk, mark off 3-3/4” in from each side of the long blank.
The Letter “I” Three blanks are required for this letter: • 5” • 5” • 5-5/8” Step 1) Weld the 5-5/8” blank to the center of each 5” blank. Make certain that both 5” blanks are equally opposite each other. The Letter “J” One blank is required for this letter: 3rd • 11” 2nd 1st Bend 3-1/4” 1-1/4” 1-1/4” Step 1) Step 2) Using chalk, mark off 1-1/4” from one side. From this mark, mark off 3-1/4”. From the second mark, mark off another 1-1/4”.
The Letter “M” Two blanks are required for this letter: 2nd 1st Bend • 13-1/2” long • 13-1/2” long 6” 6” Step 1) For each blank, mark off 6” in from one side. Step 2) Make a bend to 75° at the first chalk mark. Step 3) Move the blank to the second mark and bend to 75°. Repeat for the second blank. Step 4) Tack weld the two pieces together at one end. Make certain that all four tips are level with one another.
Step 5) Make a bend at your second chalk mark to 45 degrees. Repeat for the third mark. Step 6) Take the stock out of the Bender. Insert the second side. Repeat steps 3 and 4. Step 7) Weld the 3-7/8” piece to the open side so that a complete circle is formed.
Step 5) Make a bend at your second chalk mark to 45 degrees. Repeat for the third mark. Step 6) Take the stock out of the Bender. Insert the second side. Repeat steps 4 and 5. Step 7) Weld the 3-7/8” piece to the open side so that a complete circle is formed. Step 8) Weld the two short pieces to the right bottom corner of the circle you just completed. The 2” blank should be welded to the inside, with the 3/4” blank on the outside.
Step 2) Set the Right Angle Bend Attachment into place. Step 3) Note: Set the stock in the Bender so that the Right Angle Bend Attachment will bend at the first chalk mark. Bend to 45°. The 2nd and 5th bends are to 41°. Step 4) Move the blank to the second mark and bend it to 41°. Step 5) At the third mark bend to 45°. Step 6) Remove the blank from the Bender. Flip it over and around and insert the other side. At the #4 mark, bend to 45°.
Step 3) Move the blank to the second mark and bend to 75°. The Letter “W” The letter “W” is formed the same way as the letter “M” on page 21. The Letter X Two blanks are required for this letter: • 7-1/2” long 1st Bend • 7-1/2” long 3-1/4” 3-1/4” Step 1) Place a mark at the center of each blank at the 3-3/4” mark. Step 2) Make a bend in the blank so that an angle is obvious, but so that it measures 6” when measured tip to tip. Repeat for the second blank.
Please be aware that Harbor Freight Tools offers for sale two attachments that are used with the Compact Bender: Scroll Bending Attachment (SKU #36621) and Twister Attachment (SKU #36620) We have included here the Ornamental Wrought Iron Idea and Design Booklet, which gives you some ideas on projects that can be accomplished using the Scroll Bending Attachment and the Twister Attachment.