Today, reinforcement is used on almost any construction site; without a high-quality reinforcement frame, it is almost impossible to build reliable concrete walls and make a foundation. Therefore, it is recommended that a professional builder buy a machine for bending reinforcement. The corners of the frame are knitted using not straight reinforcing bars, but curved ones at 90°, extending onto the transverse wall at a distance of up to 80 cm.
All reinforcement benders They work on the following principle: a rod is placed between a pin (moving roller) and a stop. When the moving part of the mechanism rotates, the rod bends at a given angle and in a given direction. The thrust roller ensures deformation not along the entire length, but in a certain area. The steel from which the reinforcing bars are made is such that it can be bent up to an angle of 90°; if it is more, the metal loses its strength.
Features of the bending process
It would seem easier to reinforce corner concrete structures and adjacent wall areas using straight reinforcement bars. But if so, concrete the design will be weakened, may delaminate. This is a gross violation of building codes. In all corner concrete structures, bending should be used exclusively with an overlap of at least 80 cm on each side. A machine for bending reinforcement or even a simple bending device for deforming metal rods will also be useful if it is necessary to quickly manufacture various connecting elements: hooks, legs, etc.
It is important to know how to bend foundation reinforcement so that it does not lose its strength characteristics. In this regard, bending is performed only mechanically on special tanks for bending and cutting reinforcement. It is important that the bend angle is not sharp, and at the bend point the radius of curvature is equal to 10−15 bar diameters. Do not forget that a steel reinforcing bar bends without loss of strength up to 90°, then the strength indicators decrease.
When bending steel reinforcing bars with your own hands, two mistakes are often made:
- A notch is made at the bend site using a grinder or other tool.
- The area of the reinforcement where the bend will be is heated with a gas burner or blowtorch.
After performing such procedures, primitive means for bending are used:
- sledgehammer;
- heavy hammer;
- vice;
- pipe section;
- etc.
When bending using the above tools, the reinforcement is significantly weakened, which can cause concrete structures to collapse. Therefore, bending of reinforcement bars is carried out without violating their integrity and only if they are in a cold state.
Types of machines
There are two types of machines for bending reinforcement:
- Manual. Relatively simple devices that do not require an electrical network, since they work using muscle power.
- Electromechanical. The mechanism is driven by an electric drive.
Each device is suitable for fittings of a certain diameter. As a rule, the size is indicated on the label. For example, DR-12 is for rods with a thickness of up to 12 mm, DR-20 is for rods with a cross-section of up to 20 mm. For some models this size is indicated in inches. When choosing, the scale of the work to be done is also taken into account. For one-time use or in private construction, a manual machine can also be used, but for large volumes it is more advisable to use an electromechanical device.
Using an electromechanical bending machine, a rod can be bent in any direction at an angle from 5 to 180° without significant loss of strength. The bend angle is adjusted with a stopper. Mechanical machines have relatively large weight and dimensions. There are two types of devices - stationary and mobile. Mobile models are used directly on the construction site under a canopy, while stationary ones are used in production; they are attached to the floor with anchor bolts. The device is supplied with an electrical cable, exhaust ventilation and grounding. Some models have special holes with which the machine is moved by a crane around the workshop or construction site.
Characteristics that you should pay attention to when purchasing a machine: disk rotation speed, power, maximum diameter of the bending rod. The drive can be hydraulic or pneumatic. There are models suitable for double folding, making staples and loops.
Bending machines and devices
With the development of construction technologies and metal processing methods, various bending machines for reinforcement were created. The operating principle of all such devices is the same, but the differences are in the design features and the maximum diameter of the rod that needs to be bent.
Bending machines, both factory-made and home-made, operate on the principle: a rod is fixed between a central and thrust roller, and with the help of a third roller, the bending roller, the reinforcement is bent at the desired angle. The machine bends metal reinforcement to the left and to the right. A given radius provides a thrust shaft that prevents deformation of the reinforcement along its entire length.
There are two types of machines for bending reinforcement:
- with mechanical drive;
- manual.
The main working body of mechanically driven machines is a rotating disk with bending and central fingers attached to it. There is a gap between the fingers where the rod to be bent is placed. The reinforcement in the gap rests at one end against the roller, which is rigidly fixed to the body. When the disk rotates, the bending pin acts on the reinforcement and bends it around the central shaft.
A specific machine, depending on its purpose, may belong to one of the following groups:
- lightweight (rods Ø3−20 mm bend);
- heavy (Ø20−40 mm);
- extra heavy (Ø40−90 mm).
Mechanically driven machines can be used to bend several rods at the same time.
Nowadays machines are produced that can be used for bending rods whose diameter is 3−90 mm. When reinforcement needs to be bent at different angles, it is better to use a machine with a hydraulic drive. This universal equipment will allow you to obtain a bend surface without folds and cracks, which can cause internal stresses. This equipment allows you to increase the bend angle to 180°.
The modern market also offers portable machines. They are easy to use and not expensive. Bending can be performed using special equipment and using a pipe bender installed on ordinary workbenches.
Homemade machines of this type are used for rods with a diameter of no more than 14 mm and are not intended for high productivity. More often, such devices are used in private construction.
When choosing equipment for fast bending of reinforcement, two main factors are taken into account: the largest diameter of the rod to be bent and the volume of work. During bending, parts of the processed rod are subjected to different loads: the outer surface is stretched, and the inner surface is compressed.
Homemade machine design
The manual machine has a fairly simple design, and to make it yourself, it is enough to refer to a competent drawing of the device. The basis is a metal frame, to which a round pin or an ordinary corner is welded. Another element is the rotating platform, to which the lever, bending and central pins are welded. The distance between the pins is dictated by the maximum diameter of the reinforcement being processed. In order to be able to bend rods Ø6−12 mm on such a manual machine, the legs of the frame are securely fixed to the floor.
All elements of a portable homemade machine are fixed on a massive plate. This, also portable, plate can be secured at the work site with bolted joints or with the help of special pins welded to its lower part. A homemade machine can only be used for bending metal rods whose diameter is no more than 10 mm.
Bending reinforcement without a special device
When it is impossible to use a machine to bend reinforcement, some try to complete the procedure using improvised means. However, here you need to remember that such amateur activity can cause serious injuries: the reinforcement can spring back and cause injury.
If you are in good physical shape, bending of reinforcement can be done without a machine if the rod diameter is no more than 8 mm. But there is a high probability that the bend will be excessively large, and the bent rod will not meet the requirements placed on it.
A home-made device made of two steel pipes, with the help of which even large-diameter rods can be bent at home, will significantly improve the result. The diameter of the fittings can be increased by using very long pipes.
The operation scheme of a homemade reinforcement bender is quite simple: one end of the reinforcement is fixed in one pipe, and the second pipe is put on the free end of the rod. To bend the rod, step on one of the pipes, while the second, together with the end of the fittings located in it, is lifted up. For more reliable fastening, one of the pipes with fittings can be clamped in a vice, buried in the ground, or even concreted.
Popular models
The price of manual bending equipment depends on productivity, speed of operations, shape and thickness of products that can be processed on it. Let us briefly describe the most popular RSGA models sold in our construction stores:
Russian machines UO-120, 12E and 10E from the Turkish company Afagan are also popular.
Almost no construction is complete without concrete work, and where there is concrete, there is reinforcement. Erect, pour the ceiling, . All these works involve the use of reinforcement, with which reinforced concrete structures are reinforced.
Beginning developers have a question: how to correctly bend the reinforcement so that it does not lose its strength characteristics.
Wronghomemade reinforcement bender
While a rod with a diameter of 6-8 mm can be bent “over the knee,” it is difficult to bend reinforcement with a larger diameter by hand. And most importantly, the quality of such a product will be below any criticism.
Also, you should not resort to such “folk methods” of bending reinforcement with your own hands as:
- Sawing with a grinder the place where the reinforcement is bent;
- Warming up the bend area with an open flame, in a fire or with a blowtorch.
These methods, due to mechanical and thermal treatment of the metal, lead to a decrease in its strength characteristics at the bend. This can subsequently lead to destruction of the reinforcement under the influence of loads.
Therefore (unless there are other instructions for the project), it is necessary to bend “cold”; bending the rod at an acute angle is not allowed.
The reinforcement should be bent under a certain radius of curvature, which depends on its diameter.
To bend the reinforcement, devices such as mechanically or manually driven are used. Due to the high cost, mechanically driven machines are not widely used among self-builders.
The price of branded manually driven reinforcement benders is also steep.
Therefore, FORUMHOUSE users prefer devices to purchased products -. As practice shows, such a device for bending reinforcement with your own hands is within the capabilities of anyone. To make it, we use cuttings of water pipes, channels, angles, bolts, scraps of rolled metal and other “unnecessary rubbish” that can be found in the bins of any home craftsman. The cost of such products ranges from 50 to 500 rubles, while the cost of a reinforcement bender purchased in a store can be 3-5 and 10 thousand rubles. The benefit is obvious. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.
How to make a reinforcement benderwith your own hands
The simplest and most affordable way to independently bend rods with a diameter of no more than 6-8 mm (making frames, clamps, etc.) is to drive three thick sections of it into a log. Moreover, two pieces are driven in along one line, and the third is driven in between them, with an indentation from the center line by the thickness of the reinforcement that is supposed to be bent.
Another method is to attach/weld two corners with a bottom stop to the corner of the cabin/post, and bend the reinforcement between them.
Or this adaptation option: weld bolts to the fence post.
Despite the simplicity of these homemade devices, they are not very convenient to work with, and they are best suited for the manufacture of U-shaped products, clamps and frames.
DIY machine for bending reinforcement.
Therefore, the further development of the device is the production of a full-fledged homemade reinforcement bender operating in a horizontal plane.
The principle of operation of such a bender is as follows: the rod is fixed between the thrust element (angle) and the central fixed metal pin. Next, we install the rotary unit, which is equipped with a bending pin and a long lever (pipe).
When the bending unit for reinforcement is rotated, due to the force generated on the lever, the reinforcing bar is bent around the central metal pin to the required angle.
On such a machine, you can manually bend reinforcement with a diameter of up to 14 mm, and by strengthening the structure and installing a long lever (about 2 meters), reinforcement with a diameter of 16 mm will “submit” to you.
A manual reinforcement bender can be made with your own hands in a couple of hours. Any developer who has at least once worked on such a device will never return to bending reinforcement with his own hands, holding it in a vice.
Here is one of the options for making such a reinforcement bender according to the “recipe” of a forum member with the nickname Konstantin Ya.:
Konstantin Ya. User FORUMHOUSE
The bed is the 12th or 14th channel 1 meter long. We weld the channel to two supports (metal pipes) driven into the ground. To support the reinforcement, we weld two corners to the upper flange of the channel. The lever is two pipes welded at an angle of 90 degrees. An axis passes through the vertical pipe; we put an extension 1.2 meters long on the horizontal pipe. This increases the force on the lever. We weld a corner on top of the lever, thanks to which the end of the reinforcement clings when it is bent. The corner should be flush with the top flange of the channel.
The forum member made the axle from a metal rod with a diameter of 30 mm. The lower part is squared. This will prevent the axle from turning or falling out, because the lower hole in the channel is also cut square. The upper end of the axle protrudes above the upper flange of the channel. The reinforcement is bent around it (let's look at this simple drawing):
Konstantin Ya. User FORUMHOUSE
To make the reinforcement bender, I spent 3 hours doing everything, including welding work. I have already bent 3 tons of reinforcement on it. Calmly, alone, I bend rebar with a diameter of 14 mm. I am completely satisfied with the device for bending reinforcement, because... Before making it, I broke a good powerful vice - I bent rods with a diameter of 12 mm on them, putting a pipe on them.
Vincenzo User FORUMHOUSE
My “unit” is somewhat simpler. The bed is channel No. 10-12. To make the “legs” I took reinforcement with a diameter of 20 mm. Corners – size 50x4. I bent the “twelfth” reinforcement without any problems.
Do-it-yourself reinforcement bender from a corner
Considering the homemade products of forum members, we can say that reinforcement bending based on corners has become the most widespread.
Such a device for bending rods impresses with the simplicity of its manufacture, availability of materials and low cost. We offer you a drawing of a reinforcement bender:
A device according to this scheme can be made even without a welding machine, making do with connections using bolts and nuts. But the presence of a welding machine significantly expands the possibilities of making a reinforcement bender.
i-v User FORUMHOUSE
During construction, I had a question about how to bend the reinforcement. After studying the forum, I chose the simplest option - two corners connected by a bolt. Because Since I needed to bend rods no more than 8 mm in diameter, I did not strengthen the structure. I welded a piece of pipe with a diameter of 20 mm to one corner. The corners were connected with an M10 bolt. I screwed a nut onto it, and then secured the structure to an improvised frame - a piece of thick plywood. Took 1.5 hours to make. It took exactly the same amount of time to produce 90 frames measuring 150x750 mm.
Despite the popularity of this reinforcement bender design, members of the forum go further along the path of modernization and improvement of the mechanism. Of particular interest is a device for bending reinforcement with your own hands, made by max68.2011.
Channel No. 10 is used as a basis, because It is convenient to attach it to a piece of timber. You will also need bearings, corners 25x25 mm 50 mm long, which are welded to the side of the channel. 2 holes are drilled on the side, an M10x1.5 thread is cut (for thin fittings).
The bending axles are M16x2 bolts. One bolt is welded to the channel. We weld the second bolt to the earring (swivel unit), for which a spring from a Gazelle is used. The lever handle is a pipe with a diameter of 34 mm and a length of 300 mm. To increase the force on the lever, you can put an extension on a short pipe - a long pipe of a larger (put on the outside) or smaller (inserted inside) diameter.
The use of a bearing in the bending unit allows the reinforcement to slide along the rolling. In the device itself, the reinforcement is rigid. This increases the accuracy of product manufacturing.
It is worth focusing on the point why the bender needs a set of bushings of different diameters, 4 cm long.
According to SP 52-101-2003 “Concrete and reinforced concrete structures without prestressing reinforcement”, when bending reinforcement, the minimum diameter of the bend of an individual rod must be such as to avoid destruction or splitting of the concrete inside the bend of the reinforcing rod and its destruction at the point of bending. Hence, the minimum diameter of the mandrel when bending reinforcement depends on the diameter of the rod. For clarity, all values are summarized in the following table.
When carrying out construction activities related to strengthening foundations and reinforcing floors, there is a need to bend steel bars. Reinforcing bars are also bent for the construction of greenhouses and steel structures. For this, homemade and professional equipment is used. When planning to make a machine for bending reinforcement with your own hands, you can develop the drawings yourself or buy them. Let's look at the design in detail and study the technology. Let's take a closer look at how to make a manual machine for bending reinforcement with your own hands.
Machine for bending reinforcement - classification and design
A machine for bending reinforcement is equipment that allows you to give the required configuration to rolled reinforcement.
Homemade machine for bending reinforcement
Devices are divided into types depending on the following criteria:
- design features;
- drive type;
- diameter of the bending rod.
The machine for bending reinforcement is of the following types:
- mechanical device with manual application of force;
- mechanized equipment powered by an electrical network.
The principle of operation of equipment for deforming reinforcement is to bend a steel rod fixed between roller supports by applying forces from the thrust roller. Special machines allow you to bend metal rods to the required radius.
Manually operated equipment has a number of advantages:
- simple principle of operation, reminiscent of the functioning of a pipe bender;
- reduced weight of the bending mechanism, ranging from 12 to 20 kg;
- mobility, allowing, if necessary, to quickly move equipment;
- low cost, allowing you to make a machine for bending reinforcement with your own hands.
Manual reinforcement bending machine Stalex DR-16 Mechanized equipment with an electric drive is used in industrial enterprises for the serial production of bent elements. The industrial reinforcement bender is distinguished by the following points:
- increased productivity, allowing you to bend 5-6 reinforcing elements in one minute;
- the ability to bend industrial reinforcing metal with an increased diameter;
- increased power of the electric drive station to 5 kW, allowing for significant efforts;
- the ability to work in automatic mode with remote control, as well as manual control;
- a stationary structure that provides for operation of the equipment at the installation site without moving;
- weight increased to 0.5 tons, making transportation difficult without the use of lifting devices;
- a sufficiently high cost that allows you to purchase the device only for industrial use.
In industrial enterprises, the cutting process is often combined with the deformation of rolled reinforcement. For this purpose special equipment is used. The design of such units uses:
- powerful hydraulic drive;
- electromechanical systems;
- electromagnetic mechanisms.
Machine for bending reinforcement with end cap TCC GW 40A Depending on the diameter of the metal that needs to be deformed, bending devices are divided into the following groups:
- lightweight, bending rods with a diameter of up to 2 cm;
- medium, bending metal rods with a cross-section of up to 4 cm;
- heavy, designed for bending workpieces with a diameter of up to 9 cm.
Improved bending quality is provided by hydraulic devices. When the metal is deformed, cracking and the formation of folds, which are a source of internal stress, do not occur.
What rebar bending tools are available on the market?
The market offers household as well as industrial models of special bending equipment. Noteworthy is the Afacan manual reinforcement bender, offered in the following modifications:
- Afacan 10E. Works with rods with a cross section of 0.6–1.2 cm;
- Afacan 12E. Bends rolled products with a diameter of 1–1.2 cm;
- Afacan 16RT. Deforms rods with a diameter of up to 1.6 cm.
Manual universal benders are also offered, designed for bending reinforcing bars with a diameter of 0.6–2 cm.
Manual bending machines Afacan It is possible to purchase or rent the following types of industrial bending plants:
- SGA-1. With an installed drive power of 3 kW, it easily deforms rods with a diameter of up to 3.2 cm, ensuring their bending by 160 degrees;
- GW-40. The design of the device with a three-kilowatt drive allows you to bend rolled metal products with a diameter of up to 4 cm by 180 degrees;
- G-40. The kinematics of the device, equipped with a step transmission mechanism, allows you to repeatedly deform a rod with a cross-section of up to 3.2 cm;
- G-50. This industrial installation, equipped with a 4 kW drive station, deforms reinforcing bars with a diameter of up to 5 cm.
When deciding to purchase bending equipment, consult with specialists. They will give professional advice and help you choose the right device depending on the tasks at hand.
Do-it-yourself reinforcement bending – nuances of technology
Before starting work, it is necessary to prepare workpieces of the required sizes. The manual bending process follows a simple algorithm:
- The rod is installed on the landing pad and positioned between the fixing supports.
- The center of the area that will be deformed under the influence of the applied forces is determined.
- The drive lever is manually rotated relative to its axis, acting on the clamped rod.
- The reinforcing bars are deformed to the required angle during the application of force to the lever.
- A curved part that meets the configuration requirements of the documentation is removed.
Machine for bending reinforcement G50 VPK The design of the equipment allows deformation of the clamped rod in any direction. For safety and convenience of work, it is important to securely fasten the bending mechanism to a stable surface.
Performing bending operations on mechanized devices with a drive requires familiarization with the principles of operation of the equipment and special training. Before starting work, you should carefully study the operating instructions, as well as the safety requirements. The design of many units with a hydraulic or electromechanical drive involves issuing commands by pressing a pedal. In this case, the workpieces are fed into the working area by hand.
Operating procedure for industrial bending equipment:
- Install a bending roller of the required diameter corresponding to the size of the rolled metal section.
- Adjust the device mechanism to the required bend angle, ranging from 0 to 180 degrees.
- Place the rod in the landing area of the working roller, fix it on the support posts.
- Press the pedal to turn on the unit and deform the rod to the required configuration.
Stop pressing the pedal when the workpiece reaches the desired shape. Then remove it from the operating mechanism. It is important to follow safety rules and not allow fingers or clothing to get into the rotation zone of the rollers.
DIY reinforcement bending How does a manual bending machine for reinforcement work?
The design of a homemade bending device is simple. A small-sized device for bending reinforcement includes the following parts:
- desktop made in the form of a steel plate 6–8 mm thick;
- stops fixed on the base that limit the movement of the rod;
- a rotating lever with a pressure roller that deforms steel bars.
A simple design is also possible, consisting of a car jack to which a punch is attached, and a vertical stand with movable supports attached to it. This version of the device is portable. The mechanism allows you to easily bend the reinforcing bar, which touches the movable rollers and bends when the jacking rod moves.
We assemble a device for bending reinforcement with our own hands
Having decided to assemble a simple device for bending reinforcement with your own hands, the drawings can be replaced with ordinary sketches. It is important to provide for the design features of the device, as well as overall and connection dimensions. Let's look at how to make a manual reinforcement bender with your own hands. To carry out the work, prepare the following materials:
- steel channel with a wall thickness of 6 mm and a length of 0.8–1 m for metal structures;
- two steel loops from a cylindrical gate with a diameter of 3–4 cm and a length of 10 cm;
- a corner with a shelf size of 2.2–3.2 cm, a rectangular profile of 4x2 cm and a rod with a diameter of 1.2 cm for assembling the punch and body elements.
Do-it-yourself device for bending reinforcement You will also need equipment:
- car lift - a jack capable of developing a force of up to 2–2.5 tons;
- electric welding machine with electrodes;
- grinder equipped with a metal circle;
- ruler and scriber for marking;
- hammer and level.
Assemble the machine for bending reinforcement with your own hands, following the sequence of operations:
- Mark and cut 5-centimeter blanks using reinforcement, a rectangular profile and a corner.
- Assemble the punch by welding reinforcing sections into the rectangular profile and connecting the structure in the upper plane with the corner.
- Connect the thrust plate from the channel to the jack rod and fix it in the lower plane of the punch.
- Weld a T-shaped supporting frame using a rectangular profile and a channel.
- At the bottom of the metal structure, weld stops to ensure a fixed position of the jack.
- Weld the corners at the same level to the side surfaces of the vertical post and check the correct location.
- Electrically connect the stationary part of the loop with the angle and vertical post, ensuring free rotation of the moving part.
When assembling a bending machine for reinforcement with your own hands, pay attention to the distance between the upper level of the punch and the lower part of the movable cylinders (loops). The interval must correspond to the dimensions of the reinforcing bar that is planned to be bent. Using this principle, it is also possible to make a manual machine for bending wire of increased diameter. There are various designs of devices in which the bending process can be carried out without using a jack, using a conventional lever with a roller.
Let's sum it up
Having decided on the design of the device, you can independently make a bending mechanism designed to give steel bars the required shape. It is important to take a responsible approach to developing documentation. You should use verified drawings from which the bending equipment was manufactured, or create a sketch of a full-scale sample yourself. There is a wide field of activity available for home craftsmen. The result is a self-made bending device, the use of which will save money.
In order to properly reinforce reinforced concrete structures (strip foundation, base for a fence, reinforced concrete stairs, etc.), it is necessary to do work such as bending longitudinal load-bearing reinforcing bars or manufacturing L-, U- or □-shaped elements. Manually bending a metal rod at the required angle is quite problematic. In order to carry out this work quickly and efficiently, you will need a machine for bending reinforcement (homemade or purchased).
Classification of machines for bending reinforcement
All devices intended for bending reinforcement are divided into two groups:
- Manual. Bending is carried out using physical force. It is this category of machines that has found wide application in individual construction, due to its compactness, ease of use and affordable price.
- Electrical. This group includes professional devices intended for large volumes of work at factories for the production of reinforced concrete structures and at large construction sites. Such mechanisms are capable of bending steel rods with a diameter of up to 40 mm. The price for such devices ranges from 100,000 to 350,000 rubles.
Operating principle and design differences of manual machines
Any manual machine for bending reinforcement (regardless of design features) works according to the same scheme: one end of a metal rod is rested against a stationary part of the structure or fixed on it, the other is bent around a vertical roller using a lever. Some models are equipped with additional service devices: bar clamps, bend angle limiters, and bar thickness adjustment.
All machines for manual bending of reinforcement, depending on the design, are divided into:
- Machines with a simple lever. The rod is bent around a vertical roller. The rod is either fixed or rested against a stationary part. The bending force depends on the length of the handle: the longer it is, the less effort is required to bend. These models are the most common and in demand on the market. Well-known manufacturers: Afacan (Turkey), Stalex (Russia), Alba (Spain), Misom (Belarus), Kapriol (Italy).
- Machines with a lever system. The central gear and gear sector form a gearbox, which reduces the required applied force with the same handle length as in simple machines. This type of machine is not so widely represented on the modern construction equipment market. The most common is a reinforcement bender with a gear reducer – the “Afacan 16D” model (cost 8200÷8500 rubles).
Varieties depending on the maximum diameter of the reinforcing bar
When choosing a device for bending reinforcement, the main criterion will be the maximum diameter of the reinforcing bar that can be bent with it. This indicator is indicated by the manufacturer in the documentation for the bending machine. This value is also indicated in the marking of the model itself. The last two-digit number in the name corresponds to the maximum diameter of the rod. For example: machine “Stalex DR-12” - the number 12 indicates that the machine is designed to work with metal rods with a diameter of up to 12 mm; model “Misom SO-350-25” - the number 25 indicates that with this model you can bend reinforcing bars with a diameter of up to 25 mm. The larger the diameter of the rod that can be bent using a machine, the more expensive it will cost.
Depending on the diameter of the processed rod, all equipment for manual bending of reinforcement is divided into:
- Household machines designed for bending reinforcing bars Ø=10÷16 mm. Do-it-yourself bending of reinforcement using machines of this group is most widely used in individual low-rise construction for reinforcing foundations and other reinforced concrete structures. The price for such products varies between 2500÷5500 rubles. The most popular models from trusted manufacturers: “Afacan 16PT” (4900÷5100 rubles), “Stalex DR-16” (5000÷5500 rubles).
- Semi-professional manual machines designed to work with steel rods with a diameter of 20÷25 mm. Such products will be needed in the case of individual construction of 3-4 storey buildings or for use on large construction sites (in the absence of electricity). Structurally, this type of machine is more complex. Typically, the delivery package includes replaceable rollers and eccentrics for more precise adaptation of the machine to a specific bar diameter. The price for these products varies from 10,000 to 35,000 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and configuration. Typical models: “Misom SO-350-20” (16000÷16500 rubles), “Stalex DR-25” (16500÷18000 rubles).
All hand-held devices have a number of common advantages:
- Affordable prices (especially for products for working with rods with a diameter of up to 16 mm).
- Simplicity and reliability of design.
- Ease of use.
- Light weight.
- Precision and neatness of bending.
- Easy to attach to a workbench or desktop.
- Large selection of models.
A simple homemade machine for bending reinforcement
You can build a machine for bending reinforcement with your own hands quite easily. Drawing of a simple device for self-production:
Required materials and tools:
- steel corner 40X40 mm;
- sheet steel 6÷8 mm thick;
- a piece of smooth rod Ø=10÷12 mm, length 50÷60 mm;
- pipe section Ø=11-13 mm (internal) 40÷50 mm long;
- pin M8÷M10 for fastening the swing arm;
- welding machine (you can use the services of the nearest car repair shop);
- grinder or hacksaw for metal.
Manufacturing procedure:
- From a steel sheet we cut out a base measuring 300÷400X200÷300 mm.
- We drill two holes 10÷12 mm (one for the pin around which we will bend the rod, the second for the pivot lever pin).
- We weld the thrust angle, pin and stud.
- We put the rotary lever on the stud and secure it with a nut.
- We put a piece of pipe on the pin and get a roller for bending.
- We attach the base to a workbench or work table.
The photo shows a homemade machine for bending reinforcement, made using the technology described above:
In the first version, a metal channel with welded legs made of reinforcing bars is used as a base and work table; in the second, the base is attached to the workbench using construction clamps.
In custody
A manual bending machine for reinforcement will significantly simplify and speed up all work on arranging the metal frame of the foundation or other reinforced concrete parts of your structure. The correct choice of design from a trusted manufacturer guarantees its reliable operation throughout the entire construction period.
In the process of performing many construction works, the need to bend reinforcement often arises. Steel rods of various diameters are actively used in the manufacture of reinforced concrete and other structures. They allow you to increase their strength characteristics several times and reduce the consumption of basic materials. To achieve this, bending of reinforcement must be carried out in accordance with generally accepted standards.
To perform this operation, you should use special machines, which are offered by many well-known manufacturers. There are also publicly available drawings that describe in detail the design of this type of equipment. Making a machine for bending reinforcement with your own hands is not difficult for a person who has basic skills in engineering.
General description of the equipment
A reinforcement bending machine means special equipment with which steel bars of various diameters can be given almost any shape. Depending on the design and principle of operation, it is divided into manual and mechanized. In the first case, the operation of the machine is possible due to the effort of the worker.
A manual machine for bending reinforcement is very simple. It consists of a small work surface, which is usually round or square in shape. There are pins attached to it that limit the movement of the reinforcement. This type of equipment is also equipped with a lever. It is secured to the plate with a screw.
To bend, you need to insert a reinforcing bar into the mounting hole, and then secure it with rollers. When the rod is well secured, the lever is set in motion. As a result, the position of one of the shafts changes, which begins to put pressure on the fixed rod.
In this simple way, the steel rod is given the desired shape in accordance with the established requirements. A manual bending machine for fittings is more suitable for home use. It is able to cope with rods whose diameter does not exceed 12 mm. A bending machine of this type of industrial production will cost approximately 3-5 thousand rubles.
Features of mechanized machines
At industrial enterprises and large-scale construction, where they constantly work with large batches of rolled metal, driven machines are mainly used for bending reinforcing bars. Equipment of this type is capable of providing fairly high labor productivity, which is highly valued in such areas.
Typically, mechanized machines are capable of bending reinforcement using the following types of drive:
- hydraulic (provides a more accurate result of work, which cannot be achieved manually);
- electromagnetic;
- electromechanical.
Depending on the power characteristics, this equipment is also divided into the following types:
- lung. Capable of working with fittings whose diameter does not exceed 20 mm;
- heavy. Will cope with rods up to 40 mm;
- super heavy. Capable of bending rods whose diameter exceeds 40 mm.
Regardless of the main operational features, mechanized equipment operates on the same principle. In such bending machines, the role of the working element is performed by a round disk. It is usually mounted on a vertical shaft. The central and bending cylinders are located on the disk itself.
When working with this equipment, fittings are installed between them and securely fixed to the housing racks. After this, the shaft begins to rotate, which sets the bending cylinder in motion. It is he who bends the reinforcing bar around the central bushing along a radius that corresponds to the number of revolutions of the disk around the axis.
Hydraulic drive in machines and machines
Is it possible to make a bending machine with your own hands?
A do-it-yourself reinforcement bending machine has a fairly simple design, but is capable of performing a large amount of work. Equipment of this type can be used for any purpose, as it is easy to use. Its design is based on a frame. It is to this that the thrust block and lever are attached, with the help of which the bend can be made.
To make such a device yourself, you need to have basic welding and plumbing skills. Otherwise, it is impossible to ensure the quality of all connecting nodes. Also, if you cannot find good stops that have a sufficient diameter, you need to work with. As an alternative, large diameter reinforcing bars can be used.
To correctly and easily carry out all the necessary operations, you should prepare the following tools:
- welding machine;
- hammer and file;
- Bulgarian;
- an electric drill equipped with metal drills.
Technology for performing the work (option No. 1)
To get a machine for bending metal rods, you need to prepare the following materials:
- sheet iron with a thickness of 10 mm for the manufacture of the base;
- sheet metal with a thickness of 6 mm for the hinge;
- corner with a thickness of 10 mm for the base or frame;
- reinforcement studs with a diameter of 50 mm or more for stops;
- a metal pipe that acts as a lever. Recommended length is about 50 cm, diameter is 25 mm.
After determining the required dimensions of the machine, they begin to mark the metal parts and connect them using a welding machine. The base of the equipment is secured with pins and hinges with a lever. The device body itself is installed at a height that corresponds to the height of the worker.
Technology for performing work (option No. 2)
To make your own machine for bending small-diameter steel bars, you need to follow these instructions:
- Pieces 5 cm long are cut from corners with shelf sizes of 25 and 32 mm. The same actions are carried out with a square profile and reinforcement with a diameter of 12 mm.
- Two pieces of reinforcement are inserted inside the profile and welded.
- The corners are also connected to each other using a welding machine.
- The resulting blanks are welded and installed in the thrust part of the jack. The location of the punch should be carefully controlled, since horizontal deviations are unacceptable.
- A T-shaped frame needs to be made from a rectangular profile. The dimensions of this structural part of the equipment are as follows: height – 40 cm, width – 30 cm.
- You can ensure a stable position of the jack during bending using stops that need to be welded to the horizontal part of the frame.
- It is necessary to weld two corner pieces with a flange size of 25 mm onto the side of the frame. Hinges for the gates are attached to their surface, which will later act as stops. Calculate the distance between the end of the punch and the stops to match the diameter of the reinforcement that will be used in the future.
Is it possible to bend metal rods without special equipment?
Very often situations arise when you need to bend reinforcing bars, but a special machine (purchased or homemade) is not available. In this case, working manually is very dangerous. During all the necessary manipulations, the reinforcement may simply spring back, which will lead to serious injury.
To carry out bending, you can use. You need to make holes in it on opposite sides. If you have sufficient physical training, you can bend reinforcement in this way, the diameter of which does not exceed 8 mm. But we should not forget that the accuracy of this method is low.
You can also bend the reinforcement using two steel pipes. To carry out this operation efficiently, you should use elements with a diameter of 15-20 mm. In this case, the ends of the rod are inserted into pipes, one of which must be stepped on and the other pulled towards you. As a result, bending will occur, which is what needed to be achieved.