Bending the Barstool Legs...

[BAR-TAB]

Any of you guys ever use a pipe bender on the legs of the stool?????? should it be heated?????. Im not worried about burning or scaring its getting painted anyway. I just dont want to weaken or sacrifice strength since it will be the only thing holdin my fat a%@.. Let me know. This would be the cheapest way out other than buying a shorter stool or fabricating the frame. My objective is to shorten the stool for better balance and COB[center of balance]. I JUST DONT LIKE FALLING!!!!

[Mike Bean]

Bar-Tab,

I would think you do not need to heat the legs to bend them because you normally do not heat tubing/pipe to bend in a bender.

Now if you want to make some minor adjustments with your hands and you are unable to bend it, then I would suggest some heat.

Mike

[sniffles]

Remember to practice on a piece of tubing first! It might take a bit of fine tuning to make it not krinkle. On a harborfreight PIPE bender I used for bending TUBE on my main chassis I had to make my own rollers because they were pinching in on the tube and basically killing the tube. It also helps to pack it with sand and weld the ends shut. That may not be an option for you but making your own rollers really helps.

[sweav]

I would be kinda worried about heating the barstool legs seing how thin they are, may weaken the tubing. The best bet is to bend them cold if you don't have to bend them very far, and Sniffles right about the sand, if you think your going to bend them where the pipe may chrush, I have filled pipe up with sand and cold bend them to keep the form of the pipe. Just my thought on it.

[Guy]

You can probabally take a few inches off the bottom, and I saw a post on here where someone took a few inches out above the rung by chopping and fitting an inner tube and pop riviting to make a butt splice with inner sleeve support.

[bm1]

A lot of problems with bending "tubing", is the use of pipe dies. Pipe and tubing are different diameters. Pipe is measured by inside diameter, and tubing is measured outside diameter. Bending tubing with pipe dies mostly leads to a not so clean bend. You will get wrinkles, kinks and scuff marks.
I think I might have posted this before, but I'll run it by one more time. Lubing the dies and material are important. If you bend without any type of lube, the dies will grab into the tubing either scuffing it, or making wrinkles. I sometimes use WD-40, just spray it on the tube. Another "slick" trick is to use a piece of plastic, like a trash bag or piece of Visqueen between the die and tube. I prefer this method because it is less messy, and cost less than WD. You can use one piece over again. The dies sometime need work also. Whenever I buy a new die for my Hossfeld, I have to smooth it up and get it to fit the tube just right. Hope this helps.
bm

[BAR-TAB]

It does. also the way the frame was fabricated. it wouldnt fit the motor/w the tav, only clutch....sooooo I had to move out the rear legs and now the motor and tav fits. lol NOWWW the stool is a tough fit so I tried something. Make the legs parallell instead of criss-cross, and drill new cushion holes. it worked so far, but I am adding a brace from stool to front to prevent wobbling

[Chevy2ride]

Are u bending the tubes to open up more clearence around the motor and to align up with the frame? If so, did u consider using some tabs on the frame as extensions to set the legs on so u won't have to bend them? U know, if u cut off the ends it will probably bring the legs in on the inside of the frame.........so by adding tabs to it u can adjust it to where u need it. Just a thought.Keep banging away :smash: . Aloha from Hawaii :me:

[BAR-TAB]

frame? If so, did u consider using some tabs on the frame as extensions to set the legs on so u won't have to bend them? U know, if u cut off the ends it will probably bring the legs in on the inside of the frame.........so by adding tabs to it u can adjust it to where u need it. Just a thought.Keep banging away :smash: . Aloha from Hawaii :me:

Well the clearance was enough that I had to spread each rear leg out 3 inches each. I already welded extentions and It will work just have to play w/the stool a little

[Chevy2ride]

:eek2: Did u consider cutting the top of the legs under the seat and working it from there? That way no bending should be required since it's usually straight in that area. :thumb: I'm sure u will figure out the solution to fit your needs.:hammer: Aloha from Hawaii.............:me:

[Guy]

If your main objective is lower CG, afraid of falling.... I guess it depends on how wild you ride. I built mine a little long in the front, with a standard 36" axle, and it seems to me to be suprisingly stable, and everyone else that's ridden it thinks so too.
Granted, this was on snow and ice, and there were a few that got a whole cheek off the stool, But I haven't felt mine wanting to tip. I mean, don't stake your personal safety on something you read, but consider building it the easy way and take a ride before paint. To me, most of the appeal of a BSR is they look so darn tippy, but I have not found that to be the case.
I think maybe Sweav will tell a different story though, LOL.
Get well soon Sweav :cheers:
http://barflyracers.com/showthread.php?t=387

[sweav]

Thanks Guy, doc released me to go back to work this monday (4/17) w/ restrictions. They want to check into my knee more now. You are right abouth about how hard they are to roll. When mine threw me all 4 wheels stayed on the ground. I have yet to get it up on 2 wheels.
Bar-Tab are you trying too lower cg or just want the look of a lower stool?

[wayfat]

When I first built my barstool, I had the stool regular height. When I built my 2nd, I cut about 4" out of the legs. I actually thought it was easier to steer when it was higher. With my weight up higher, it seemed to turn better when I leaned into it.
wayfat

[Mike Bean]

I have yet to get it up on 2 wheels.


Get Back on that BSR and start riding wheelies. Just don't run the wheelie in all the gears. Take your time....

Wheelies are the most fun I have on mine.

Mike

[Woodchuckscustoms.com]

Hey Bmi Ther is another material out there it's called Tuff Die, it's like a rubbery tape I use it on stainless and alum. when I form metal in the press brake. What kind of tubing benders are good at a resonable cost?????

[tqm3]

Any of you guys ever use a pipe bender on the legs of the stool?????? should it be heated?????. Im not worried about burning or scaring its getting painted anyway. I just dont want to weaken or sacrifice strength since it will be the only thing holdin my fat a%@.. Let me know. This would be the cheapest way out other than buying a shorter stool or fabricating the frame. My objective is to shorten the stool for better balance and COB[center of balance]. I JUST DONT LIKE FALLING!!!!
I whacked mine with a rubber mallet. Just do a little at a time......:cheers:

[RUBICON]

In all of this discussion has anyone thought of where the ring ( where you put your feet on a real bar stool ) will fit if you bend the legs outward?...maybe you could move the ring to the inside and gain 2" of diameter?...if so where is the argument supporting the use of a real bar stool...for me I have no preferrence...but in the past there was a lot of piss and smoke expressed on this subject....there are a lot...a lot ..of real stools with most if not all of the average standard engine/drivetrain combinations under a real stool ( I realize there are different stool dimensions! )...is the issue one of planning and design...or preferrence in using a stool one has and hack it to fit...if that is the case why not make your own that will fit...if I sound like I am on a soap box...I guess I am...are we fabricators?....yes...are we creative...yes....are we resourcefull....yes..do we support one another...absolutely.....well most of the time....for me..as well as many I have seen on this forum the stool was one if not the first item of the build...or should have been...and then the frame and engine came after...how many of you have seen pics of a garage floor with a stool, motor and 4 tires sitting in place without a frame...and later saw the results???....keep at it..don't let it whip you.....and when it is done....it will be your solution...and your stool.....not a copy...good luck

[BAR-TAB]

Its funny what I started here lol. The solution was solved when my new stool came in and was already wide enough and needed to only be stretched out in the rear @ 2 inches per side. I agree with rubicon in so many ways. If my opinion counts.....here it is. If you have fabrication capabilities, you can totally make your ride unique, if you buy a kit, paint it a different color, or use some wild wheels etc. The chance that most of us will race a sanctioned race isnt very big......so using an actual barstool or specific wheel-bases etc, arent needed. There are soooooo many tips and info on this forum that I would have scratched a thin spot in whats left of my hair wanting ideas lol. Thanks to 'The Big Cheese'