Various methods are available for bending tubes, and whether you outsource your custom parts or bend them in house, it's helpful to know the terminology. Mandrel bending produces smooth, wrinkle-free bends because the mandrel supports the interior of the tube to prevent collapse. Compression bending doesn't use interior support, so wrinkles and flat spots are common. Hydroform bending uses fluid to support the tube's interior.

When deciding whether to outsource to tube bending fabricators or purchase your own tube bending machine, you need to determine your tube bending needs. Your budget and the amount of custom tube bending your business produces will decide if it's worthwhile to do the bending in house. When searching for tube and pipe bending services and equipment, consider the following:

1. Shop around for quotes from custom tube fabricators as well as the one-time cost of purchasing a tube bending machine and the ongoing expense of buying materials.

2. Get more for your money by purchasing machines that can multi-task.

3. Consider purchasing rebuilt and refurbished pipe and tube bending equipment.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Place your order with custom tube bending fabricators

Bending tubes and pipes in house doesn't make sense for many companies. If custom tubes and pipes don't net your business enough profit to justify owning tube bending equipment, use a company that specializes in tube bending fabrication. Custom ordering your tubes and pipes also saves you from purchasing materials that could potentially go to waste.

I recommend: Woolf Aircraft Products prides itself on fabricating almost any tube. The company uses a variety of bending methods, including CNC tube bending, to meet exact specifications, and keeps a stock of materials ranging from aluminum to copper. Select a shape from Sharpe Products in your choice of size, material and finish. Request a quote from Four Slide Products, which specializes in tube cutting of any alloy.

Eliminate guesswork with a CNC tube bending machine

A computer numeric control (CNC) tube bending machine can fabricate multiple-bend parts at a high speed. CNC tube bending is recommended when the part calls for complex bends, especially if the bend radii vary. CNC equipment precisely positions the various bends, eliminating the chance of human error.

I recommend: Browse a selection of PowerBend CNC tube benders at AddisonMcKee. The company offers four lines of CNC tube bending machines. Horn Machine Tools offers seven models of hydraulic CNC tube benders, which you can customize with optional equipment.

Buy a multi-functional tube bending machine

Stretch your dollar by purchasing machines that are capable of more than one task. Not only do you save money by purchasing a piece of equipment that can do the job of several machines, you save room in your shop.

I recommend: The TVF-50 by Tools for Bending is an end finisher that is capable of squaring, deburring, flaring, beading and flanging your tubes. Carell Corporation offers the Uni-70 Digital, a programmable pipe bender that operates without mandrels and has an optional mandrel kit.

Upgrade pipe benders with a trade in

As your business grows, you may opt to upgrade your tube and pipe bending equipment or add another machine. Some tooling companies rebuild and refurbish equipment and offer trade-in incentives. You can save money by trading your bending equipment in for the upgrade rather than purchasing it outright.

I recommend: Pines Technology offers a wide selection of tube bending equipment and allows customers to purchase rebuilt and refurbished equipment as well as trade in equipment for upgrades. Save money by ordering a rebuilt tube bender from Ultimate Tube Bender Parts Plus.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Some companies offer tube bending services for specific applications, such as aircraft parts, but don't let this discourage you from contacting the company for a quote if you need custom tubes for a different application.