How to Build a Rod Bender

Rods of all types are used in building and remodeling. Whether it's for concrete rebar, custom handles or retaining supports for the garden, rods in all shapes and sizes are used throughout the home. The rod can be curved to different radiuses, bent to a smooth right-angle turn or all the way around into a horseshoe "U" shape. A rod bending tool makes the job quick and error free.

Things You'll Need

• 1-inch pipe, 6 feet long
• 1-inch threaded T connector
• Pairs of 1-inch pipe in 1-, 2-, 3- and 4-inch lengths

Instructions

Making the rod bender

1. Take the 6-foot length of pipe and thread it into the T connector

2. Thread one pair of pipes into each side of the T connector. Different lengths of pairs of pipe will alter the radius of the bend. No pipe at all makes for a very short radius bend.

3. Find a hard surface such as concrete, asphalt or a solid piece of wood. A length of 2-by-6 works well for working on soil or a gravel surface.

Using the rod bender

1. Mark where on the rod you want the bend to start.

2. Insert a rod up to 3/4 inch in diameter. Do not worry about any excess space inside between the pipe and rod.

3. Pull back on the 6-foot handle and bend the rod no more than 5 degrees from a straight line. Do not worry about denting or damaging the solid rod.

4. Move the rod bending tool farther along the length of the rod. Move the rod bending tool until half of the previously bent rod length is in the tool and half the rod in the tool is straight.

5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to complete the full bend around the length of the curve. Do not bend more than 5 degrees of rod with one pull. More than 5 degrees may cause the solid rod to crack.

References

• Hand bar bender