Ordering: Bend End Preparation Is Important (Part 6 of 9)

The end preparation specified on bends, whether the ends have a specified tangent or a specified condition such as a beveled end or square cut end, can determine a large part of the cost of the bend. If the bend will be cut by the next fabricator, ask what is the least expensive end preparation designation. This prevents you from paying for an end preparation that won’t be used.

If tangents are required, specify a minimum tangent as opposed to an exact tangent. Requesting an end preparation combined with a requirement that no straight tangent be on the finished bend, known as zero tangents, is the most expensive end preparation. This requires cutting the bend after bending, rounding the ends because they have some ovality caused by the bending pressures, then applying the end preparation.