Posted on August 1, 2022March 24, 2023 by Dale Phillips It Worked for Me: Danco Bend-O-Matic It Worked for Me: Danco Bend-O-Matic by Daniel Fobert Originally published in American Lutherie #90, 2007 Here are some pictures of my DANCO BEND-O-MATIC. I took on this project to advance my elementary machining skills and to get a laugh. My object was to be able to introduce a piece of fret wire into the BEND-O-MATIC, have a powered mechanism start automatically, bend the wire to a predetermined radius, and stop when the bend was complete — all without turning a crank. It was a great hit at last December’s LINT meeting (Luthier’s Interactive of North Texas) — at least as much as my one-handed 9v powered cam clamp. Everyone with a camera phone was maneuvering for a picture. Become A Member to Continue Reading This Article This article is part of our premium web content offered to Guild members. To view this and other web articles, join the Guild of American Luthiers. Members also receive 4 annual issues of American Lutherie and get discounts on products. For details, visit the membership page. If you are already a member, login for access or contact us to setup your account. It Worked for Me: Danco Bend-O-Matic by Daniel Fobert Originally published in American Lutherie #90, 2007 Here are some pictures of my DANCO BEND-O-MATIC. I took on this project to advance my elementary machining skills and to get a laugh. My object was to be able to introduce a piece of fret wire into the BEND-O-MATIC, have a powered mechanism start automatically, bend the wire to a predetermined radius, and stop when the bend was complete — all without turning a crank. It was a great hit at last December’s LINT meeting (Luthier’s Interactive of North Texas) — at least as much as my one-handed 9v powered cam clamp. Everyone with a camera phone was maneuvering for a picture. The main body and slide are made from a solid surface material called Fountainhead. Corian or any similar product could be substituted. A motor and gear train from a 2004 Chrysler minivan vent-window motor turn the drive roller. The motor is powered by a 12v 1000ma Radio Shack universal power supply that required a custom connector. The connector was made from 1/2" acetal plastic round stock 1" long, with a 5/16" hole 3/8" deep, and two 1/6" brass rods spaced to match the female connector of the power supply. The drive roller was turned from a 1 1/4" brass pipe plug. The bottom bearing carriers are 1/2" brass rod which was turned down to create a shoulder for the bearing, and then threaded. A 1/8" hole was drilled in the small end of the carriers to accommodate the 1/8" rod and springs that work like brushes to make the electrical connections with the contact strips on the BEND-O-MATIC’s main body, so that the slide can move up and down. The ground path is through the two lower bearings that I salvaged from some old Dodge Neon throttle bodies. When the fretwire contacts both lower rollers it completes the circuit, setting the main roller in motion. Both bottom rollers are attached to the slide, which adjusts their position relative to the drive roller with one knurled thumbscrew. A quarter turn will adjust the radius of the bend approximately 2". If you want to bend wire manually, the motor can be unloaded and the mechanism can be cranked right-or left-handed. The motor will operate on a 9v battery, but is slower than a frozen turtle on sleeping pills. All photos by Dan Fobert. [/wcm_restrict]
