The Strength of Steel and Bending Stock

Over the years, lots of people have asked me questions about the strength of steel and bending stock. Because steel bending can be so obsessive, and the need to constantly bend more stuff can overtake an individual so intensely, it can be easy to understand why so many people are hungry for this knowledge.

Common Questions about Bending Stock Strength

Here are some of the types of questions I get most often:

“How Strong is my Steel?”
People will be bending a certain nail, bolt or piece of stock and want to know if it is a good bend or not. This is understandable, because people like to know where they stand.

“What nail/bolt/stock should I go to next if I am bending THIS and want to bend THAT?”
Most people want to ultimately be able to bend a certain bar, whether it is the Red Nail or some other high level bend like the Bastard from Fat Bastard Barbell or the Battle Bar from Benders Battlefield. Along the road to this goal it’s nice to know which bends to attempt along the way.

“How far am I from the Red Nail if I am bending this or that…”
Sometimes people are seeing progress by cutting what they can bend down to shorter lengths, or they have been moving up to harder graded bolts or slightly thicker stock, but they still want to know how far away they are from their goal.

And there are many, many more questions I receive about the strength of bending stock.

Comparing Strengths of Various Pieces of Bending Stock

There is a system that is used to rate the strength level of bars. This has proven to be quite useful in getting an idea of where different bars lie in relationship to one another, and it even works well for a variety of different stock, including Round Steel, Graded Bolts, Drill Rod, and even square and hex steel.

This system was innovated by Eric Milfeld and later Mike Krahling. These are just the guys that I am most aware of in the United States who are doing it. There may indeed be many more who are doing this.

This process involves special attachments that are put onto the bending stock being rated, followed by using the steel to pull against weight until it bends to the desired angle. Once the stock bends to that angle, it is assigned its strength level.

This process is often labeled “calibration,” although there has also been debate about whether that is the proper term. Perhaps a better term to describe it would be simply “rating the stock.”

Regardless of what you call this process, it has proven to be a fairly reliable method for a solid comparison tool, as well as something to base your progressions and purchases upon.

In the video below, Mike Krahling demonstrates the process of rating the strength of a steel bar.

Now, what you see here is just one bar being rated, but over the years, many bars have been rated and also logged for comparison at the AZ Grip website. You can see the strength comparison chart here: Steel Bending Progressions.

Now, there are limits to this process, and that needs to be understood from the beginning.

For instance, steel varies and it can vary quite a bit. Just because you bought a Red Nail back in 2004 does not mean that a Red Nail that you buy right now will rate out at the exact same number. New stock might have been selected to be used at some point. (Of course, the Red Nail is still a Beast to bend, so no disrespect to IronMind.)

Variance of Steel Strength

As I point out in this post, Strength Variations of Steel, it is possible to see strength variance within the same piece of steel. Remember that steel is created in long lengths and then cut down in order to bend in shorter lengths. There can be quite a bit of variation within one of those virgin bars pulled out at the factory. So in that regard, you have to understand that just because you buy a 7-inch by 5/16-inch length of Cold Rolled Steel, it does not guarantee that you are ready to certify on the Red Nail, even though the Red Nail, too, is 7 X 5/16 CRS.

Variance in Steel Strength & Differences by Length

Also, you have to remember that you must take the readings of bars of different lengths very carefully. For instance, if you look at that chart, it lists the Red Nail, 7 X 5/16 in length and diameter, at 420-lbs in order to bend. Also, that chart lists a Linear “S” Grade 5 Bolt 6 X 1/4 in length and diameter at 425. An assumption that has often been made is that if one can bend that Linear “S” Grade 5 Bolt, then they surely must be able to bend the Red Nail, which is rated at 5-lbs lighter.

Unfortunately, this assumption is completely wrong, because the Grade 5 bolt is only 6 inches long, meaning there is less leverage available to produce a bend using the testing device. In reality, if the Grade 5 in question were 7-inches long, it would feel like bending a coat-hanger.

Comparing Different Bars

So, as you utilize the chart, make sure that you remember that comparisons should be made between different pieces of stock of the same length only. Also remember that the way the calibrating set-up bends the bar is not completely the same as the way the bar bends when you bend it, so just because a piece of stock rates higher than another piece of stock using the device, does not necessarily mean it will feel harder to bend when you try it.

Solid Resource

Even with this handful of limitations, the “Steel Progression Chart” is a very good resource for you in your bending training. It has been an extremely helpful tool for both new benders looking for ways to progress in their bending, as well as seasoned veterans who are looking for stepping stones to their ultimate bending goal.

In fact, I reference this chart quite often with my coaching clients who are looking for progressions in their steel bending programs. And now, it is a tool you can place in your toolbox to reference whenever you need it.

All the best in your bending,

Jedd

Footage via amuricankb on YouTube

Above, you’ll see Dennis Rogers (who happens to be a Diesel Iron Master) and Pat Povilaitis performing prior to the Mighty Mitts competition at the Arnold Strength Expo from last weekend.

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There were only two submissions last week, and Josh McIntyre came out on top.
Is there anyone who can beat Josh McIntyre in the Diesel Crew Grip Feat of the Week?

Josh McIntyre (winner)

(more…)

There were only two submissions last week, and Josh McIntyre came out on top.

Is there anyone who can beat Josh McIntyre in the Diesel Crew Grip Feat of the Week?

Josh McIntyre (winner)

(more…)

Three Red Nail, slain by the Iron Tamer David Whitley, IronTamer.com

The Steel Onslaught Continues

If you live near Nashville, TN and think you are smelling the aroma of molten lava streaming down the side of a volcano, that is actually the smell of Red Nails being melted with hand power by the Iron Tamer Dave Whitley.

A few months back, in preparation for the RKC, I gave Dave a call to ask for pointers for preparing for the snatch test.

During the conversation, he said that he had been bending recently and had just hit a Grade 8.

“Bro, you’re close to a Red Nail,” I said.

“Really??” he said back.

Over the course of the next few weeks, Dave continued to hit Grade 8’s, but could not tackle the Red.

Then I had him shoot a video of his technique so I could look at it.

Sure enough, he was Chicken Winging a bit.

We worked on his technique a bit over the phone and sure enough within a couple more weeks I heard back from Dave and he was kinking Red Nails.

A few weeks later, he finished off his first Red Nail.

Flash forward a few more weeks and he posted the picture at the top of this post on his blog, bending 4 Red Nails in one training session – AWESOME!

Check out what he had to say recently about the Nail Bending DVD…

From Dave Whitley

I could go on and on about Jedd, his expertise in grip strength etc., but I’ll keep it simple with this timeline…

In late September 2010 I struggled to bend my first grade 8 bolt for about 7 minutes.

On December 20th 2010 I bent FOUR Iron Mind Red Nails in less than an hour thanks to tips and advice Jedd gave me.

A week later I was crushing them down in less than a minute.

Jedd has put all the best information from his bending ebook and the stuff he has learned and developed since he wrote that book onto the Bending DVD.

If you want to learn the modern bending trechniques, he is the guy who not only wrote the book, but also filmed the DVD on how to do it.

Buy this DVD, put it into practice and crush steel.

Iron Tamer Dave Whitley
Master RKC instructor
www.IronTamer.com

The TRUTH About Dave Whitley

In Dave’s case, it wasn’t just a matter of getting stronger that got him to the point of bending Red Nails like they are coat hangers.

Dave’s been wrecking steel, shredding cards and phone books, and twisting horseshoes FOR YEARS.

In the case of the Red Nail, Dave’s improvements primarily came from Technique Improvements.

Bending is highly technical and that is where the Nail Bending DVD makes the most difference for people.

By understanding the proper hand angles and ways to exert force into the steel, you can BLOW THROUGH your current PR’s and raise the bar way more quickly.

In the DVD, I show you Reverse Style, Double Overhand, and Double Underhand in detail. You can wrap up and bend your first nail or a new PR right along with me.

If your sick of being stuck at the same spot or if you want to get started the right way, the Nail Bending DVD will set you straight.

Get it here = > How to Bend Nails.

All the best in your training.

Jedd

Earlier this month, I released the Nail Bending DVD – How to Melt Steel with Your Bare Hands and the positive feedback has literally been rolling from all over the Nation and the World for that matter.

 Get Your Copy, NOW. Click here = > NAIL BENDING DVD

From Ben Edwards:

 Jedd,

I got the DVD yesterday and watched the first half of it today. LOVE the 2004 Red Nail intro loop! I know a lot of guys that would literally consider the price of the DVD worth a few views of that video alone for motivational purposes. Have really been impressed with the amount of time and effort/knowledge that went into making that Bending DVD. Even guys like me with a very solid bending base will no doubt find something that will help them along their path to increased bending strength. I’ve taken notes on a few sections of the DVD and wanted to wait until my muscle relaxers wear off (I hurt myself on Monday – bulging disc!) before I watch that part a few times through and then take notes on that as well.

Ben Edwards
GoalOrientedTraining.com

From Rory Hickman:

 Hi Jedd,

Thought I’d let you know the DVD arrived yesterday morning, I watched half yesterday and the other half this morning – absolutely awesome the whole way through! Just like your other products the video and sound quality are second only to the amazing content. I was blown away by the detail you went into just on wrapping, I’d never imagined there was so much to take into consideration and that was just the first 20 minutes or so. To be honest I could mention every section and say how good each was – but I’m not sure how many variations on the work ‘excellent’ I could come up with before it got repetitive…

I’ve already tried out the band exercise for developing the flexibility to get into the proper DO-bending position – first couple of reps barely came within 6 inches of my neck but I was able to get closer each time – I can definitely see how it will help. The thumb stretch felt great too – mine sometimes get tight from working on the computer and drawing but I could feel the stretch really well.

Love the DVD man, it’s got me completely fired up to melt some steel but I’m gonna take your advice and work back into it slowly. I’ve got a load of things to work on to get to the point where I’ll be bending anything impressive but with this I now actually know what I need to work on. Thanks for creating such an incredible product, it’s awesome that someone who’s at the competitive level you’re at is so willing to share so much of your training knowledge.

Thanks again,

Rory Hickman
StrongerDesigns.com

 Get Your Copy, NOW. Click here = > NAIL BENDING DVD

From The Iron Tamer, Dave Whitley:

From Mike “The Machine” Bruce:

This DVD is steadily making its way across the entire globe.

Truly a world-wide phenomenon, here are some of the countries where the DVD has been purchased:

 United Kingdom

Australia

Germany

Sweden

France

Thailand

Canada (Just ordered TODAY!)

Belgium (Another Country with Molten Steel!)

Switzerland (Added 1/6/11)

And if you are in the United States, and think you hear the squeaky sound of suede being tightened on a bolt or the sweet smell of steel being melted by the power of hand strength, you probably live near a nail bender. Here are some of the cities where the DVD was purchased during the first week only.

 Rosemount, MN

Sterling, VA

Chicago, IL

San Diego, CA

Stafford, VA

Shaw Air Force Base, SC

Merritt Island, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Miami, FL

(The State of Florida must be covered in molten steel by now!!!)

Bloomfield, NJ

Pittsburgh, PA

Lawrence, KS

San Bruno, CA

Fayetteville, GA

Burton, MI

Cypress, CA

Torrance, CA

Madison, CT

Moultonborough, NH

Rock Creek, OH

Tuscaloosa, AL

Corona, CA

(Expect Climate Changes in California in 2011 due to all the Nail Benders)

Thanks to everyone who has picked up the DVD!

Hearing good things about my products makes me glad that I put them out and fires me up to get the next one out there!

If you’d like to leave feedback about the DVD, please a comment in the section below…

 Get Your Copy of the Nail Bending DVD = > Start Ruining Perfectly Good Stuff

Kevin Greto’s Tropheys – 60D Timber Ties – The First of Many to Come, For Sure…

1. a composition of a metal powder and a metal oxide, which can melt its way through even the thickest of metal supplied to it

2. a term used to describe the absolute ease you will have in bending nails, bolts, rolled steel, and other bars after you watch this DVD:

Order Your Copy = > Nail Bending – How to Melt Steel with Your Bare Hands

The long wait is over.

Right now, all over the world, orders are being processed.

By this time next week, hundreds of people will watch this DVD.

In two weeks time, these same people will begin developing the obsession with Bending perfectly good fastening devices into U and Y-shapes.

And in a few months time, there will be an all-out onslaught on the Red Nail, Fat Bastard Stock, and other various Challenge Bars.

Nothing is going to stand in your way toward accomplishing your goals – NOTHING.

When it comes to Strength Training, there are a few different ways you can improve:

1. Work Harder

Some people are not willing to put the work in to get better. They lack motivation. They lack the drive.

However, working as absolutely hard as you possibly can, can have detrimental effects to progress. Your own motivation can be the thing that holds you back.

2. Work More Often / More Volume

Some people lack the energy to put the work in. They are unable to get any momentum because they don’t put enough time in their training and preparation.

Unfortunately, working too often, doing too much volume, and going about things unwisely can get you hurt and stunt your progress even more.

2. Coaching / Guidance

Some people have no direction. Like tiny children lost in the park, they wonder around trying different methods for short periods and bounce around like the Plinko chip on the Price is Right.

This is where I come in.

I am here to steer people in the right direction and give them the knowledge they can use to succeed. I have put together this Nail Bending DVD to show you the Best Practices for Serious Nail Benders:

Nail Bending Best Practices that I will Show You

• Wrapping Methods: I show you what the most commonly used materials are for safe and powerful bending, as well as how to properly wrap so that you are able to drill into your nail or bar with utmost viciousness
• Bending Technique Demonstrations: I show you the main three Bending Techniques, covering each one slowly and methodically, allowing you to follow along with me and copy my movements right there at your TV screen or Computer monitor.
• Strength Training for Bending: This section includes only HIGH IMPACT TRAINING METHODS for building foundational strength and further bending power. There is NO FLUFF.
• Injury Prevention: Bending is too fun and rewarding to stuck on the shelf. I show you ways to take care of yourself so that you can keep from getting hurt and maybe even get better from conditions you might have already from poor practices.

Like every product I make, I worked my ass off on this DVD for you. I am proud to introduce it to the strength training world.

Get your copy here = > Nail Bending Instructional DVD

All the best in your training.

Jedd

1. a composition of a metal powder and a metal oxide, which can melt its way through even the thickest of metal supplied to it

2. a term used to describe the absolute ease you will have in bending nails, bolts, rolled steel, and other bars after you watch this DVD:

Order Your Copy = > Nail Bending – How to Melt Steel with Your Bare Hands

The long wait is over.

Right now, all over the world, orders are being processed.
By this time next week, hundreds of people will watch this DVD.
In two weeks time, these same people will begin developing the obsession with Bending perfectly good fastening devices into U and Y-shapes.
And in a few months time, there will be an all-out onslaught on the Red Nail, Fat Bastard Stock, and other various Challenge Bars.
Nothing is going to stand in your way toward accomplishing your goals – NOTHING.

When it comes to Strength Training, there are a few different ways you can improve:

1. Work Harder
Some people are not willing to put the work in to get better. They lack motivation. They lack the drive.
However, working as absolutely hard as you possibly can, can have detrimental effects to progress. Your own motivation can be the thing that holds you back.
2. Work More Often / More Volume
Some people lack the energy to put the work in. They are unable to get any momentum because they don’t put enough time in their training and preparation.
Unfortunately, working too often, doing too much volume, and going about things unwisely can get you hurt and stunt your progress even more.
2. Coaching / Guidance
Some people have no direction. Like tiny children lost in the park, they wonder around trying different methods for short periods and bounce around like the Plinko chip on the Price is Right.
This is where I come in.
I am here to steer people in the right direction and give them the knowledge they can use to succeed. I have put together this Nail Bending DVD to show you the Best Practices for Serious Nail Benders:

Nail Bending Best Practices that I will Show You

• Wrapping Methods: I show you what the most commonly used materials are for safe and powerful bending, as well as how to properly wrap so that you are able to drill into your nail or bar with utmost viciousness
• Bending Technique Demonstrations: I show you the main three Bending Techniques, covering each one slowly and methodically, allowing you to follow along with me and copy my movements right there at your TV screen or Computer monitor.
• Strength Training for Bending: This section includes only HIGH IMPACT TRAINING METHODS for building foundational strength and further bending power. There is NO FLUFF.
• Injury Prevention: Bending is too fun and rewarding to stuck on the shelf. I show you ways to take care of yourself so that you can keep from getting hurt and maybe even get better from conditions you might have already from poor practices.

Like every product I make, I worked my ass off on this DVD for you. I am proud to introduce it to the strength training world.
Get your copy here = > Nail Bending Instructional DVD
All the best in your training.
Jedd

If you are bending steel with the reverse technique, you may be having trouble moving on to the next bending level. Chances are the thing holding you back in the reverse technique is your kink strength. If you get a good kink on the nail, bolt, or stock, it will be that much easier to finish the bend off. However, if your kink is weak, you will have to work harder in the transition to double overhand.

To clear a few things up, if you are new to steel bending, here are some pictures to show you what exactly I am talking about.

Reverse Bending (also known as Terminator Style)

LOTS OF TIPS ON REVERSE BENDING IN THIS POST ==> (more…)

Sonny Barry bending a 5/8″ x 43″ round steel bar at the 2009 Olde Time Strongman and Barbell dinner

STEEL BENDING CONTEST

Sonny Barry recently contacted me and asked me to help him get the word out about his contest he is holding in Philadelphia in January.

SEE THE DETAILS AFTER THE JUMP (more…)

I hope your training is going well this week, and you are getting ready for a fantastic Halloween.

I am still riding the waves of momentum from this past Saturday’s Grip Training. My hands are feeling great and after the high volume on Saturday, I know I am just a few sets away from a gigantic PR!  If you want to reathe workout report from this weekend, check out my blog:  Napalm Jedd’s Blog.

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Bent IronMind Red Nail – Do You Have What it Takes?

Bending has come so far since I started doing it, it isn’t even funny.

When Smitty and I started bending we used to wrap a canvas wrist wrap around whatever we were bending. This would often result in a very loose wrap and the bar we were bending would slip all over the place. We could get no leverage on the nail because we were grasping and pinching at the slim piece of material. We had to be extremely cautious when we were bending because if the nail or bar slipped it would bite us in the hand or finger. Each bend had the chance to injure us.

Here is one of the very first videos I ever put out. You can see that it is wrapped with a leather strap, slightly longer than the canvas strap we first started using.

Good thing that was only 1/4-inch HRS!

Later on, we realized that most people were wrapping their nails with (more…)