Metal Strip Rolling Tool Out of Bike Parts Exclusively

Here is how to create a bending machine that can turn flat pieces of metal (up to 2.5mm steel) into rounded sections of 40mm diameter and 180° angle. I use it to make the bike wheel storage system for my local bike shop (see how in a future Instructable).

We will cover the stuff you need to create it and the process. At the end, one video shows how it's assembled and another shows how to operate it in a vice.

Most supplies you will need are either common tools or common wastes you can find at your local bike workshop.

Finally, forgive me for my bad english, I'm not a native speaker. If you want the french version of this instructable, it will be available for free on my Ko-Fi.

Supplies

Tools:

An angle grinder with a cutting disk and appropriate security equipment
A metal cutting saw
A file
A drill with a metal 8mm bit
Wrenches and allen keys depending on your screws

For the supplies: (all of which you can find at a local bike shop)

A bare bike frame, ideally steel frame. We will only need the rear part of it and the bottom bracket
A crankshaft with square axle and bearings and cones etc suited to mount on the frame you've chosen
Two left cranks for square axles
Two standard crank screws
Two similar screw but with a longer fillet (fillet 30mm)
A bare crankshaft with square axle, the same length as the one for the bottom bracket
A bike kickstand attachment set (the kickstand is not needed)
A saddle tube collar with quick release

Step 1: Cut the Frame

Using the angle grinder, cut the frame along the red lines. That's two cuts above the rear axle, and two cuts to part off the bottom bracket.

Use a file to finish of the roundness of the bottom bracket, as the metal being push against it it will affect the final result

You should get something that ressembles a fork but for a rear wheel, and with a bottom bracket where the two branches meet

Step 2: Crank Shaft Assembling

You can then assemble the crankshaft into the bottom bracket, as you would normally build a bike.

You can then attach one left crank to one side of the square axle using the smaller screw

Step 3: Mounting the Second Axle

In the crank installed, drill a hole 38mm away from the shaft with the 8mm drill bit.

Make sure the hole is well parallel to the installed crankshaft. You may need to use the file and saw to get rid of the plastic that's around the crank

You can then, using the longer screw, assemble the second square axle (see the video at the end for clarification).