UK Made MK6 Wide Body Mandrel Tube Bender

2-4 weeks delivery on this item

The MK6 Mandrel Tube Bender is a wide body version of the MK5 which enables larger clr (centreline radius) formers to be used for large radius bends. Whereas the MK5 will take a bending die up to 4" (100mm) radius, The MK6 will accept dies up to 5" radius. It excells in bending mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium. Maximum capacities are 1 1/2"   (38.1mm) (14swg) in aluminium and copper and 1 1/4" diameter 16swg (1.5mm) in mild steel and 1 1/8" (16 swg) stainless steel tubing.

The UTKK6 is a true Mandrel Bender with an 'Internal Bullet Mandrel System' which allows bends down to 1.25D (1.25 times the tube diameter as a bend radius) This makes it perfect for race car water and oil pipes where the routed pipes can hug the chassis or engine. It can also be used in any situation where a bend is required tighter than the 3D bends possible with a rotary draw bender such as the JD2 models we sell. The 5:1 chain reduction vastly reduces the effort over the smaller brother MK3 model, and increases its capacity.

Because of the sheer physical effort involved in bending 1.25" x 16 swg steel this machine has a five to one reduction ratio between the operating spindle and the main mandrel spindle which means it can bend 1.25” x 16swg steel tubing on a 2.0” centre line radius. In all cases, a thinner wall tube can be bent very satisfactorily and various internal 'bullet'-type mandrels in steel or nylon can be supplied to suit your particular tube wall thickness. Due to the unique design, the benders will allow amazingly tight bends to be formed with the minimum of tube distortion (a nominal 3-4% of the diameter).

The MK6 Mandrel Tube Bender comes with an easy-to-read degree dial to allow precise angles of bend to be achieved and repeated. The machines are extremely easy to use and allow for multiple bends in the same piece of tube at alternate angles on different planes. Once the machines are set for a particular size of tube it will be found that multiple bends are rapidly achieved. A ratcheting breaker bar is included.

Check out the sample pictures to the left of the 5/8" and 3/4" od tubing bent on a 1.5" CLR, and the 1.0" steel and stainless steel tube bent on a 2.0" CLR..

Price includes the machine only. All die sets are extra and can be found in the mandrel die set listing here: https://stakesys.co.uk/tube-pipe-benders/mandrel-die-sets (a die set comprises of the main bending die, die clamp, follower block and internal bullet mandrel). If you require a custom diameter die set on any radius not listed please call for a price. 

If you already have a 1" x 2" CLR die and you want a 1" x 1.5" CLR bend you can use the same backing block and mandrel bullet and just buy the main die on its own. The tube bender is 30kg in weight and easily mounted in any decent vice or can be bolted permanently to a suitable bench or stand. 

For large diameter stainless 16swg an optional torque multiplier is available to reduce the bending effort 10:1. Call us to discuss.

Standard die sets are available off the shelf in imperial and metric round here:          Custom Die Sets can also be made in any size  (round or square) to order. Please call for details. Steel mandrel bullets are used for mild steel and stainless steel, and nylon internal mandrel bullets are recommended for aluminium as very little if any further lubrication is required.  

Explanation of CLR (centreline radius)
CLR (centreline radius) is the distance from the centre to the edge of the main bending die. eg. If you have a 1.00" od x 2.00" CLR die set the complete with (diameter) of the die will measure 4.00" across and centre to edge will be 2.00". If you make a 180° bend and measure centre of tube to centre of tube across your u-bend it will measure 4.00".

Whats included?

• Head Unit
• Retracting Handle
• Degree Ring