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We’re about to get technical—like really technical. Every so often, we have to break out our book learning. And while we’d rather be bending a cage back in our shop right now, too, but we think you’d like to know just what’s going on when you throw a stick of material into your tube bender and wrap it around the die. So without further ado, we bring you: wall factor and “D” of bend. (Photo Credit: Aviation Online Magazine)

If you don’t take care of your backing block, it won’t take care of you. If you don’t keep your backing block clean, free of debris, and well-greased or you don’t clean your material, the backing block will get scratched and it will mar your material when you make bends. If you’ve gone past the point of no return, you will have to buy a new backing block. But before you call us, try this trick.

Ever bent a stick of tube, taken it out of the bender, and found it wasn’t the angle you bend to? Relax. Your bender isn’t broken. The die isn’t machined improperly. This is supposed to happen. That phenomenon is called springback. We've got you covered on how to account for it.

Check out this handy tutorial to see all that goes in to choosing the right tube and pipe bending die to suit your needs. Don't waste hundreds before reading!

Don't get twisted! We made a easy-to-follow tutorial on how to eliminate the ill-effects of material twist when bending tube or pipe using two basic tools.