Wire bending info requested for non RC.
 

Hello Everyone,
Can’t find the info and you guys seem to be very familiar with wire bending so I come here with questions re a garage project in mind.

With several scrap wire shelving pieces I plan to make some hanging shelf units like the closetmaid hanging shelf.
For each shelf unit I will need to fashion 4 supports to hang each floating shelf.
Each support is basically an L with a small- tight as possible- U bend at each end. Top U to hang from upper shelf. Lower U to lock in to the floating shelf. I plan to buy wire 3/32” or 1/8” diameter x 24” or 36” long- depending on availability. Prefer SS in the garage.

Looking to use TIG SS welding rod if that will work for bending. If not then other SS rod or music wire. Other suggestions?
Is there a type of SS to choose or especially avoid for bending? Many SS options available 303, 304, 310, 316 and so on.......

Bending device or vise and pliers?
The U bends should be fairly tight- to accept a wire 1/8” to maybe 5/32” at most for some shelves. Tight as possible. Especially where the lower U bend engages a wire on floating shelf so the end of the support wire does not stick up into the plane of the shelf.
I’ve seen a jig and a KS bender but don't know how tight a bend they can make. Not sure re vise and pliers here either.
There are several makes of universal mini benders that look like they might be more effective. Suggestion?

Many Thanks in advance for any information provided.

Regards,

To just make a U bend all you need is a bolt the diameter that you want the bend to be and some pliers. Bending 1/8 music wire isn't much of a challenge.
As for wire types, a lot of that depends on if you need it to be springy. Music wire is 1095 steel that's been hardened and then drawn to a spring temper. Some stainless steels can be springy, but most can't.

I forgot about this thread, I was going to say something a few days ago but got busy. I press in two pins about 1/4" apart on a thick steel arm. You hold the wire in a vise, and the wire pivots on the first pin and is pushed by the other pin. The Harry Higley method is OK too. Two pins 1/4" apart again, but the fixture is held in the vise, and a long tube is slid over the wire as a handle. I think 1/4" or 3'16" pins would be OK.