Bending a closed box tube from flat stock

[schiada96]

I think it is a odball tube size correct?I would bend as much as I could on the brake and laser a slot on each mold line with about a .25 tab on each end and hand form the bends I could not get to with a brake. I cant draw what I need to say, laser a slot along the bend line I know you will get a pierce hole but that dosen't matter you will weld it up. If you are piecing tube to get a odball size I would form sheet.

[ViperTX]

z28tt....better pic, thanks....I would make a cardboard template and look at the bending sequences from a machine perspective.....

[massajamesb]

This is a stretch of an idea, but what about filling the tube with sand, capping off the ends, heating and bending? I know that is a lot of trouble, but you would be able to bend whatever radii you want that way. I was always told that was the poor mans mandrel bender. The sand will keep the tube wall from caving in or creasing. You would eliminate welding time (except to weld caps on the end) and have a nicer smoother flowing piece. I know this is a long shot, but it's an idea.
This does work for me when bending 2x3x3/16 into frame rails, I imagine it would work for you. Just make sure you have a control jig to fit into.