Pipe, Tube, Angle, Channel & Flat Bar Rolling Machines
Large radius rolling of pipe, tube, angle, channel, flat bar, and T-shapes is usually done on a pyramid style 3 roll bender. When rolling pipe or tube, you will need the 3 rolls to match the contour of the tube to prevent the wall stress from flattening the tube. Onme die set can roll parts to different radii.
But if you want to roll your pipe/tube to a small radius that can be repeatably and accurately done, then you want a rotary mandrel draw bender machine. It uses a die set that matches the tube/pipe size and the desired exact radius. The outer die pulls the pipe (or tube) as it rotates around the inner mandrel.
The blue colored pyramid roll bender machines for rolling pieces with a large radius come with a combination set of segmented rolls that can be used in different configurations to fit the shapes you are working with. Optional rolls may be needed to productively roll some shapes and all round shapes on the pyramid roll benders. When rolling angle iron, it helps to use optional lateral angle guide rolls (expensive) to prevent twisting or you can try rolling 2 angles together that have been tack welded into a T-shape to compensate for possible twisting. Separate the 2 rolled angles when finished. But this method reduces the angle size capacity.
Round Pipe and Round Tubing are not the same thing. Pipe is listed by the nominal (approximate) inside diameter but tubing is listed by the exact outer diameter. For some pipe bender machines you can also buy or make die sets to bend Square Tubing, Angle Iron, etc.
Outer Diameter of schedule 40 Pipe for Reference:
1/4 inch pipe = 0.540 inch outer diameter
3/8" pipe = 0.675" outer diameter
1/2" pipe = 0.840 outer diameter
3/4" pipe = 1.050 outer diameter
1" pipe = 1.315 outer diameter
1-1/4" pipe = 1.660 outer diameter
1-1/2" pipe = 1.900 outer diameter
2" pipe = 2.375 outer diameter
2-1/2" pipe = 2.875 outer diameter
3" pipe = 3.500 outer diameter
4" pipe = 4.500 outer diameter
5" pipe = 5.563 outer diameter