Post by: jackelope on March 08, 2016, 09:23:25 AM
I have a project I'm going to work on that is not trapping related but along the same lines as building your cage traps. I'm curious to know what sort of wire bender or brake you use to build your cages. If you're not using a brake/bender how do you make the nice bends at the corners of your cage traps?
Thanks in advance.
-JB
Post by: ouchfoss on March 08, 2016, 02:41:05 PM
Post by: wags on March 09, 2016, 07:34:40 AM
Post by: Humptulips on March 09, 2016, 11:03:08 AM
Post by: Jonathan_S on March 09, 2016, 11:05:38 AM
Bruce, he is talking about bending the rolled steel I believe.
Post by: Jonathan_S on March 09, 2016, 11:07:10 AM
Post by: jackelope on March 09, 2016, 12:10:01 PM
Post by: Jonathan_S on March 09, 2016, 12:16:41 PM
I'm talking specifically about bending 14 gauge welded wire mesh to make rabbit cages. I want them to be nice with good sharp 90 degree bends.
Then I'd go with a sawhorse or work bench and rubber mallet. Does that make sense? You can bend it most of the way by hand and then form everything to a nice crisp angle by tap-tapping with the mallet.
Post by: jackelope on March 09, 2016, 12:19:20 PM
Post by: Humptulips on March 09, 2016, 12:29:13 PM
If you are doing a bunch then I think it would pay you to by a break.
Post by: jackelope on March 09, 2016, 12:33:17 PM
Post by: Humptulips on March 09, 2016, 12:37:04 PM
Acetylene torches and a jig or cold bending. I'd be curious to hear more from others about cold bending on a jig because I have a hard dang time getting even lengths and shapes :bash:
Bruce, he is talking about bending the rolled steel I believe.
It takes a good jig to cold bend and a very solid way to hold the jig. When you cold bend it is hard to keep the rod from slipping a little making length control difficult. You have to have the end of your rod very solidly held so it won't slip when you bend.
Even at that the rod will usually stretch so you have to take that into consideration when cutting your rod to length. I find I have to do a couple tests before I get it just right then you can turn a bunch out. Following up by doing everyone exactly the same is the key.
Post by: Jonathan_S on March 09, 2016, 12:49:30 PM
Acetylene torches and a jig or cold bending. I'd be curious to hear more from others about cold bending on a jig because I have a hard dang time getting even lengths and shapes :bash:
Bruce, he is talking about bending the rolled steel I believe.
It takes a good jig to cold bend and a very solid way to hold the jig. When you cold bend it is hard to keep the rod from slipping a little making length control difficult. You have to have the end of your rod very solidly held so it won't slip when you bend.
Even at that the rod will usually stretch so you have to take that into consideration when cutting your rod to length. I find I have to do a couple tests before I get it just right then you can turn a bunch out. Following up by doing everyone exactly the same is the key.
Probably easier in the end to just cut & weld or heat & bend and sacrifice a little strength. Thanks Sir
Post by: Humptulips on March 09, 2016, 01:07:09 PM
Post by: jasnt on March 09, 2016, 06:23:42 PM
thats what I do. I believe carp has a wooden bender he uses. Said he was going to share it in the tips and tricks thread but prob hasn't gotten time yet.I'm talking specifically about bending 14 gauge welded wire mesh to make rabbit cages. I want them to be nice with good sharp 90 degree bends.
Then I'd go with a sawhorse or work bench and rubber mallet. Does that make sense? You can bend it most of the way by hand and then form everything to a nice crisp angle by tap-tapping with the mallet.