Fender-Bender - 3D Printed - Paper and Photo Etched Brass Bender

Here is another tool I made back in 2004. It was aluminum and stainless and really worked well and had a modicum of success. Jeff and I called it "The Fender Bender" from Ausfwerks. Good Times!!

Here is the review for the original metal version -

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&nam...

Now, I offer it to everyone on here in a 3D Printed format. It works just as well. It will bend Photo Etched parts for Scale Model Building and also works very well bending complicated paper models. It removes the need for a glass plate and razor blade bending arm.

The original had a screw down finger plate, but this one is spring loaded and uses hand pressure to hold the plate down while forming.

This isn't going to bend 1/8" brass, but it will do any photo-etch sets out there and up to card stock as thick as a manila folder.

You need 220g of filament and about $3.00 in hardware. So, for around $5 this can be yours.

So, I was asked to show how it works in the comments, see this video. If you need more info, pease do not hesitate to ask:

This is a quick print and build. So, lets get started.

Access to a 3D printer, Hex Driver for a M3 Socket Head Screw. Means to possibly cut down pen springs (wire snipper)

See BOM in the pictures for the parts and hardware.

I don't normally use a Brim, but for parts 1, 4 and 7, use a 250mm Brim. You do not want to risk a corner pulling off the bed and these are large flat parts and need to be large and flat.

No supports are needed.

.4 nozzle

.2 layer heights

3 walls

I am plugging some Printer Upgrades I have on here and Thingiverse in the second picture.

Use a M3 Nyloc in 5 and 6 and a M3 x 16MM through 2 and 3.

Snug these down so they will hinge.

See Picture for detail.

Thread the M3 x 35 into the plastic, through the M3 Nyloc and into the plastic again. Leave at least 23MM sticking out under the head.

Put the pen springs into each of the provided 6MM holes in 2 and 3. Make sure the compressed height is less than the hole depth provided. I had to snip them down. I also super glued them into the hole to keep them in place.

Part 1 assembly rests in the 4 slots in parts 2 and 3. It will float on the (4) pen springs until you are ready to make some bends......

Once you get the Fender Bender together, it is a simple matter of lining up the lines on your card stock or etched line in Brass, pressing down on the finger gauge and hinging plate 7 upward to make your bend. For inside bends, there are varying Fingers that will accommodate several dimensions. For reverse bends, simply work off the back of the machine and bend against a hard surface.

Plan out your bending so that you do not work yourself into a corner.

Here is a piece bent with the Fender Bender for a Moravian Star I want to build.

Let me see your paper bending projects and I will chose one and send this model to you free of charge.

Deadline is 4/27/20.