HF bender project-- Lambs tongues

[tapwelder]

This demonstration is two-fold. First to show how to make lambs tongues using the bender and second to show an alternative method of mounting the bender.

The Lamb tongue:

Makes sure the joint is welded on both sides. The weld will split if joint is not welded on both sides, especially if heat is applied to make a more decorative looking tongue.

Use any tool to get the notch--torch, bandsaw, cutoff wheel, grinding wheel-- I've used them all.

Generally taper the notch about 2 inches from the end. Hammer the notch closed, tumbling the part so they the seam stays centered.

[tapwelder]

Continued from previous post.

This a reinactment for your entertainment.

You can use your creativity to get better looking lambs tongues. Use larger dies for a more rounded look or some heat to turn up the tip more.

Takes about 15 min to do one lamb tongue. You can do a long cap without a seam.


The bender setup:

Notice the set up with the bender. I was on-site Wednesday without my trailer my trailer has the reciever for mounting my tools.. This the way I came up with to operater the bender. I welded a square tube to the bender mounting plate laid the bender horizontally and stood on the tubing. It worked pretty well.

[woodironman]

Nice work!

[MicroZone]

Very nice, is that for a hand railing?

[tapwelder]

This would go on a hand rail. However I just did this one in my driveway to demonstrate "how to" and to show the use of the bender without a fixed mounting post.

When the top rail extends over the newell post and turns down it is called a lambs tongue.

[MicroZone]

Nice, it looked familiar, I just wanted to make sure. Great metalshaping.

[Sandy]

Great work. Does or could that "tongue" weld to the upright down low then?

[tapwelder]

Sandy

Not sure what you mean by upright. Though usually the lambs tongue just hangs over a terminal post mostly seen at the bottom of stair rails. However, I have seen lambs tongues other places like gates.

If a rail must be continuous and there is a lower rail, then I will extend the cap rail down to the lower rail and bend or cope the cap rail like crown molding to fit the lower rail.

[Sandy]

Sandy

Not sure what you mean by upright. Though usually the lambs tongue just hangs over a terminal post mostly seen at the bottom of stair rails. However, I have seen lambs tongues other places like gates.

If a rail must be continuous and there is a lower rail, then I will extend the cap rail down to the lower rail and bend or cope the cap rail like crown molding to fit the lower rail.

I was kinda of picturing that lambs tongue rolling out like shown then back down to touch the post/upright that it sets on. At that point it could be tacked to the upright. Thinking on that it would need to be a little more scroll like that what you have there. No biggy, just mental rambling on my part.

[tapwelder]

Done on the American Bender. I prefer smaller ones. The die is custom made 2 inch round bar.

[tapwelder]

Lambs tongues installed. The larger cap cannot be be gone on the HF bender.

The previous / initial lambs tongue with welded notch is very difficult to bend on HF. It slips and requires a very large portion to be inserted to be bent. Not attractive to me. The trimmed is the best way to go on the HF.

[DavidR8]

That is some really nice work, thanks for sharing your process!

[BD1]

Nice job. The harbor freight compact bender is handy especially for the cost.I bought one 10 years ago and they were cheap. The floor model type was
about $50.00. The dies can be used on a couple of pins welded to angle for other uses. it is handy for my metal artwork too

[geezer]

PM sent, nice work

[Bob]

Nice work Tap, I do it exactly the same.

[cwby]

Portable stand for vice, bender, etc. use a short section if 6" channel with a socket (pipe or receiver) for tool. Turn channel up & park trailer tire or truck tire on channel. Extra strong - use longer section of channel & park one axle on the channel.