Discussion and questions related to the course Practical Roll Cage Fabrication
= Resolved threads
The plans for the tube bender call for the parts to be laser cut, can this also be cut on a water jet?
"Laser cut", was probably just the method available. I don't see any real problem with water or plasma cutting.
As long as the correct tolerances are maintained, then the method of cutting is irrelevant to the construction of the bender. The plates could be manually using an oxy torch or bandsaw and hand finished if the person doing the work was good enough with the oxy torch/bandsaw/handtools. The reason for using a cnc machine for the work is that you will get a much greater finish and closer tolerances in a shorter period of time than if you hand did the work.
Thanks for the replies. Most of the items I have had water cut always have a taper on the cut, and this is with relatively thin material (1/8 or 1/4), was concerned this would cause issues in the functioning of the bender.