Answers to the questions buyers ask most often about TBC Metalworks’ tube bending and fabrication services.
Where is TBC Metalworks located?
TBC Metalworks is at 1011 Ashwaubenon St., Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304. We’ve been bending tube in Green Bay since 1987 and ship custom parts across the United States.
What size tube and pipe can you bend?
With rotary draw and CNC mandrel bending we bend round tube from 1/8″ to 3″ OD, pipe from 1/4″ to 2-1/2″ NPS, square tube from 5/8″ to 2″, rectangle tube from 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ to 3″ x 1-1/2″, and solid rod from 1/8″ to 2″. With roll bending we bend tubing from 1/2″ to 4-1/2″ OD and pipe from 1/2″ to 4″. See CNC mandrel tube bending and tube roll bending.
What materials can you bend?
Carbon steel (A500, A513, A53, DOM and ERW), 304 and 316 stainless steel, 6061 and 6063 aluminum, and copper.
What is the tightest bend radius you can do?
It depends on the tube diameter, wall thickness and material. On our CNC mandrel bender, our tightest dies bend at a centerline radius equal to the tube diameter: 1-1/2″ OD at 1.5″ and 2″ OD at 2″. Other tight dies include 1/2″ OD at 0.75″, 1″ OD at 1.5″, and 1″ NPS pipe at 1.5″. See the full radius list on our CNC mandrel tube bending page, or send us your drawing and we’ll tell you which tooling fits.
What’s the difference between mandrel bending and roll bending?
Mandrel (rotary draw) bending is for tight radii, typically under about 12″ centerline radius, and parts with multiple bends. Roll bending is for large, sweeping radii, arcs, hoops and coils. Read mandrel bending vs. roll bending for more.
Can you bend square and rectangular tube?
Yes. We rotary draw and CNC mandrel bend square tube from 5/8″ to 2″ and rectangle tube from 3/4″ x 1-1/2″ to 3″ x 1-1/2″, and roll bend square tube, rectangle tube, channel and angle iron. See square tube bending.
What tolerances can you hold?
Typical bend angle tolerance is 1/2 to 1 deg and length tolerance is 0.06″ or a little tighter if needed. We check parts on a LaserVision tube measuring laser, along with granite tables, height gauges and calipers.
What order volumes do you take?
We’re set up for production programs of 50 to 10,000+ units per year, and we also run prototypes. Our minimum order is generally about 10 pieces.
What is your lead time?
Projects can ship in as little as one week, depending on material availability and tooling. Our standard lead time is approximately 4 weeks for standard orders.
What do you need for a quote?
A PDF drawing, a STEP file or 3D model if you have one, the material and grade, and your annual unit volume. Send them through our quote form or to sales@tbcmetalworks.com.
How fast will I get a quote?
We typically reply with a quote within one business day.
Do you weld and finish parts too?
Yes. We do MIG and TIG welding, stainless and aluminum polishing, end forming and swaging, coping, threading and tapping, CNC machining of holes and slots, and cutting to length in-house. Laser cut plates, powder coating and anodizing are handled through long-term local partners, so parts can ship complete.
Do you have quality certifications?
We track every job, drawing revision and production step in our ERP system and follow documented quality procedures. We are not ISO certified yet, but are slowly working toward it.
Do you ship outside Wisconsin?
Yes. We ship custom parts across the United States. Our central Midwest location keeps freight affordable to most places.