Hossfeld Bender Restoration - die finishing?

[JP_in_STL]

So I lowballed an offer (almost insulting at $600) on a Hossfeld a while (1yr+) back and the guy then was going to keep it. He txt'd me last night to come get it as he was moving. So $600 and 700lbs later I have a Hossfeld. The owner had a nice list of dies and what they totaled ($4K) in 2004 so I did OK. Now I just need to make a stand, find room for it, and sort all the dies out. Most of them are angle iron leg in/out in most of the radiuses and I'm sure I will need to buy/make a few for my needs.

I have the HF Rod Bender so I have a rough idea how the big guy works.

So this was used prior and spent most of the last 10yrs sitting in an unconditioned pole barn. He did oil things down before storage, but being cast iron the dies have some rust. So whats the best way to clean these up, etc. Bucket of thinner and a wire wheel? Sand blasting? Electrolysis? BLO and Beeswax to preserve? POR15?

How much "work" room do I need for the Hossfeld? I'll be manually bending to start, no hydro in the budget. My "welding" room is 12x20 and already pretty cramped. I do have 10 acres though and was contemplating making a working anchor outside for it.

Anyone have some examples of how you organized all your dies?

[jniolon]

lots of stuff behind Google on the bender and dies and a few youtube videos also... probably get some ideas there

john

[Shade Tree Welder]

I mount mine (chinomatic knockoff) on either my bench inside or outside
bench, depending on what I am bending. 12x20 is not going to give you
a lot of room.

I generally derust with penetrating oils and a wire brush or scotch-brite.
The parts of the dies that contact metal you are not going to want to paint,
the paint will cause issues when bending and will transfer. Non-contact area you can paint but I would not bother.

Once derusted, coat with a good RP like Fluidfilm.

[Walker]

I have mine mounted to a 4x4 steel post with a base plate. It is bolted down under the outside covered portion of mine shop, in front of a corner post. I have all the swing I want and can put a 20' stick in it. If I didnt use it often I would probably mount it to the same size post and put a receiver in the floor.

[Walker]

Also, aside from appearance, there isnt a huge need to clean the dies, they will clean themselves with use.

[Shade Tree Welder]

Originally Posted by Walker

Also, aside from appearance, there isnt a huge need to clean the dies, they will clean themselves with use.

Walker we have humidity... you do need to do something with them.

[JP_in_STL]

Humidity, yes we do. Also my workshop is not heated so things tend to sweat real bad in the spring and fall. Anything that’s bare iron either gets waxed like the saw tables or a shot of WD40 or PB Blaster.

I think some degreaser and the pressure washer will be the 1st step. Most everything had that pale green industrial color on it at some point in the past.

Google tells me that painting the die sets unique colors so it’s easy to sort what is what quickly. A good way to use up all the partial spray bomb colors around here.

I think mounting this out under the leanto makes the most sense. Get some paint on the bender forks and things should be pretty protected. The welding room does not have enough swing when feed a 20ft stick into this.

Thanks for the advise.

[USMCPOP]

As for rust, depending on severity (no particular order):

Citric acid
Vinegar
Oxalic acid
Molasses bath
Phosphoric acid
HCl (with inhibitor)
electrolysis
wire brush and elbow grease
light grit blasting or tumbling
Evaporust

The first two above are useful for cooking as well.

Once cleaned, a coat of Johnson paste wax or the like would keep rust at bay for awhile. Anhydrous lanolin works well (ever see a rusty sheep?).

[mccutter]

Maroon Scotchbrite and WD-40ish juice. MSC will sell you a box for around $20 (I think).

[JP_in_STL]

So what are the must have dies for this? I'm flush with about 40 angle iron dies. What else can I bend with those? Can I also bend flat strap the hard way using the angle iron dies? Seems like it would work.

Is there a basic setup for bar/flat that I should have? I bend ALOT of 1in pipe, or 1-5/16 OD and 1/2in square solid bar.