Home made branch bender.

Poink88

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As posted here... http://bonsainut.com/forums/showthread.php?9218-Another-Boxwood-I-am-working-on&highlight=boxwood

Not impressive looking tool but works well. I just used a cheap diamond cut off bit (I bought for a dollar a piece or so) and Dremel to chop this box wrench. Honestly, I am actually surprised it went through this. :eek:

This particular tool can bend up to 1" diameter branch...limited only by the opening but you can make one out of a bigger box wrench. They come very cheap at garage sales or flea markets nowadays. I usually wrap electrical tape on the branch first then add padding (piece of old hose cut off or thick leather in 2 contact points) after the wrench is in position before bending.

If you wrap with raffia with embedded wires, that will change the outside diameter so just make sure it still fits the tool opening.

I plan on changing it a bit later and grind some curve at the top and bottom to fit the branch being bent better....also to make sure the "teeth" to hold nuts won't cut the bark/wood when bending. For now I just use leather or old hose as cushion when bending.

P1130815_zpsdded5efa.jpg


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I have plans on "re-purposing" another item to bend even bigger branches. We will see how that goes and I'll report once it is tried. ;)
 

Poink88

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Thanks Chris.

I forgot to mention that this is a "push type" bender...where it is always behind the branch being bent. The other one I am planning on is a "pull type" which stays in front of the branch being bent. I can see applications where one can be more advantageous than the other, due to tight space.

Not sure if I am making sense so let me know if you need some "visuals" or pics.
 

fore

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Pics would be great Dario when you make it. Having two benders allows you to be more precise in the bend location.
 

GrimLore

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Cool idea and amazed the Dremel cut that - What is the SKU# of the wheel you used:confused:
 

fore

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Or cheaper and faster, use a angle grinder with $4 cut off wheel. Zip Zip done
 

Poink88

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Cool idea and amazed the Dremel cut that - What is the SKU# of the wheel you used:confused:
Don't know the SKU, I believe I bought them through eBay several years back. They are really thin diamond cut off wheels/discs the size of a quarter (1" dia or less) you have to mount them on a mandrel.

Or cheaper and faster, use a angle grinder with $4 cut off wheel. Zip Zip done

This is my original plan but it was late and I thought I'd give the Dremel a try (quieter) and surprised it went through (but slowly).

I will try to take pics of the tool in a (simulated) action this weekend and post.
 

jkd2572

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If one were to pick up a set of wrenches he could make multiple sizes.
 

lordy

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Just found this thread, sorry for picking up something months old.
I am hoping a pic can show how you use these. I'm not getting the lack of adjustability part.
Thanks
 

Poink88

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Just found this thread, sorry for picking up something months old.
I am hoping a pic can show how you use these. I'm not getting the lack of adjustability part.
Thanks

Lordy,

My bad for not taking/posting the promised pics actually. I'll see if I can do it this weekend. Can't promise since we have an out of town trip. If I find a "victim/volunteer tree" :D for the demo, I will try to do it ASAP.

It is not adjustable so it can only handle a branch that can go through the opening (equal or less in diameter). That includes wires and any bark protection you might want/need like raffia.
 
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