A tie bar tensioning system that allows a bending machine operator to removably couple an upper end of a bend die post of the bending machine to a base of the bending machine via a tie bar, and to lock the tie bar in a tensioned position. The tensioning system includes a stationary member and a rotatable member, each with aligned tie bar passages for receiving the one end of the tie bar. Both the stationary member and the rotatable member include respective engagement surfaces, with the rotatable member engagement surface being rotatable relative to the stationary member engagement surface between a released position and a tensioned position whereat the rotatable member is selectively lockable. The rotation of the rotatable member with the stationary engagement surface in engagement with the stationary engagement surface longitudinally displacing the rotatable member relative to the stationary member.