How to find the angle of a Lexan body

[Lentsnh2012]

Hey guys, I'm building a new project right now, but I'm having problems figuring out the angles of the body for a roll cage. So far I've been eyeing it and it turned out ok, but it isn't consistent enough for my liking. Also, do you guys start from the bottom and work your way up or vise-versa?

I know there are some amazing cage fabricators but I like the challenge and to have my own experience in knowing how to do it.

Maybe a rod bender will help with the consistency better... Does anyone know of a good, inexpensive rod bender or one I can fabricate here at the house?

Thanks!!

[binaryterror]

Use solder to fit it into the body cracks, then transfer to the rod/tube for bending.

Use the search function and you'll find plenty of bender ideas:
homemade tubing bender
A tube bender on the cheap
my tube bender...........

[Lentsnh2012]

Originally Posted by binaryterror

Use solder to fit it into the body cracks, then transfer to the rod/tube for bending.

Use the search function and you'll find plenty of bender ideas:
homemade tubing bender
A tube bender on the cheap
my tube bender...........

I have some TIG wire around but I don't think that would give me a consistent angle/curves. I would love to do a whole roll cage roof roof with one piece of rod instead of MIG'ing it all together in pieces.

[Postclanker]

I bought one of these from harbour freight

Tubing Bender - Save on this Manual Tubing Bender

Cheap and effective

I usually start from the center and work my way out of a roll cage. Then cut off what is excess when I'm finished. I'll use a bendable wire to form the hoop and use that to get an approximate length to start with... It takes some trial and error at first, but you'll eventually figure out what you need to get it pretty close the first time.

Best of luck...

[Slowkrawl]

As for a bender, I have used 2 1/2" bolts side by side in a vice to bend stuff. A tubing bender is more accurate, but doesn't always give you a tight bend. Be creative, I use my hands to bend brake line more than I use a bender.