Harry takes a dive...

[wwwarbird]

 This is kind of wierd. I've had this same 1/16" Harry Higley wire bender for quite some time, it's a very handy tool. I've used it countless times with excellent results and no problems, at least any that were the fault of the tool.

 For some unknown reason, it went belly up tonight while bending the tailwheel wire for my Super Combat Streak. The little pins you see are supposed to be pointing straight up. It shouldn't have been the wire because I was using a leftover piece of wire that had been bent with this tool a couple of times previously. Ya got me.

[minnesotamodeler]

Nothing lasts forever.  At least not in one piece.

[Paul Taylor]

I'd try and send it back.

[Glenn (Gravitywell) Reach]

Looks heavy enough....just throw it back.  Would get there faster than the mail!

Seriousely though, could you drill the old rods out and just replace them with new 1/8th inch music wire?

[Dick Pacini]

Those are probably dowel pins that are available at commercial hardware suppliers, like McMaster-Carr.  Home depot or Ace Hardware might carry them, too.  Pinch them up in a vise, one at a time, and pry the mounting block off.

On the other hand, contact Harry Higley.

[Brett Buck]

Those are probably dowel pins that are available at commercial hardware suppliers, like McMaster-Carr.  Home depot or Ace Hardware might carry them, too.  Pinch them up in a vise, one at a time, and pry the mounting block off. 

  On the other hand, you can get a new one for about $5!

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/hig/highwb332.htm

    Brett

[W.D. Roland]

Use it left handed?

Bet you just wasn't holding your mouth right.

David

[wwwarbird]

I'd try and send it back.

 Naw, I'll just get a new one.

 I got plenty of mileage out of it, I just thought it was weird how it went all of a sudden.

[Bill Little]

HI Wayne,

Very strange!  But when metal fatigues it usually fails very quickly.  Just was "it's time"!

Get a new one, for sure....... I like the one that goes in the vise with one pin and a set screw, and has a "handle" to bend the wire.

Big Bear

[builditright]

should have used the plywood tail skid that was provided with the kit and it may have lived to see another day 

[wwwarbird]

should have used the plywood tail skid that was provided with the kit and it may have lived to see another day 

 OUCH!