tubing bender......... - Page 3

**JLC08JK** · 04-16-2011, 10:37 PM

I just found this place for elbows and bending > http://www.sharpeproducts.com/index.html
I'm going to order a few pieces to check out and I'll report back with the results in a week or so.

Roughboy · 04-20-2011, 07:50 PM

Just bought a cheap bender!

Just goes to show ya, you get what you pay for!

Just trying to bend some square tube to build my ice chest basket. The second one didn't turn out so bad...seems metal doesn't break as easily when cherry red!
Rodney

**ChiliPalmer** · 04-20-2011, 09:05 PM

That's not a tubing bender, it's a pipe bender and it lacks the necessary design to properly bend tube and is affectionately known as a "tubing kinker". The reason it's called this is because it does not have, as mentioned, the proper design so when you bend the tube it will kink it instead of bending it. A tubing bender on the other hand is designed to draw the pipe through the die and the follower die with the proper support so there is no kinking.

I have seen what tubes look like when using a device like that and I would highly suggest you think twice before using it. Sell it, throw it away, do whatever you want with it and then spend the money for the proper tool.

EDIT: Follow the links in post 13, there is a ton of information in both of them.

**underpowered** · 04-20-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainauti

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/3rd-Ge...Set,20066.html

Anyone use a bender along these lines? Run across a few different ones, and was talking to a guy who was happy with this one. Any input?

Sent from my thundercrap using JeepForum.

Yes, that is the style i use. my Neighbor has one from T & J Diesel.

It works great for what it is. I would not want to build a cage with it, but it does the job for small projects. he has used his to build 3 cages, as well as multiple other projects, plus what i have used it for and others as well with no issues at all from the die's.

for occasional use, i would recommend it, but for heavy use i would stick to a JD2 style.

Roughboy · 04-20-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiliPalmer

I have seen what tubes look like when using a device like that and I would highly suggest you think twice before using it. Sell it, throw it away, do whatever you want with it and then spend the money for the proper tool.

EDIT: Follow the links in post 13, there is a ton of information in both of them.

I knew it was a long shot before I bought it and it only set me back $80 bucks. Some of the bends I do on my rocker knockers are no more than 7*, so I figured I could fill the pipe with sand, and get away with 7* until I can get a "proper tool" which I guess will only set me back about $750 and that's with only 2 dies, and no stand!

**ChiliPalmer** · 04-20-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roughboy

I knew it was a long shot before I bought it and it only set me back $80 bucks. Some of the bends I do on my rocker knockers are no more than 7*, so I figured I could fill the pipe with sand, and get away with 7* until I can get a "proper tool" which I guess will only set me back about $750 and that's with only 2 dies, and no stand!

If you're only doing your rockers then it will probably be ok, just don't plan on doing your whole cage with it. Post up in the regional forums to see if there's someone in your neck of the woods who would let you borrow a bender or bend something for cheap.

Roughboy · 04-21-2011, 07:43 AM

I actually have access to a really nice bender, but it's a pain in the *** to load up all my material and haul it 40 minutes down the road and then reload it an bring it back. I usually give the guy $20 bucks to borrow his bender, so if my cheapo bender will save me 4 trips, then it has paid for itself. Don't get me wrong, I'm drooling over one of those nice benders, but I find it hard to justify for a hobby. Now if I happen to sell a few pieces of my hobby, we gonna have to get that bender!!

**BESRK** · 04-21-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roughboy

Don't get me wrong, I'm drooling over one of those nice benders, but I find it hard to justify for a hobby. Now if I happen to sell a few pieces of my hobby, we gonna have to get that bender!!

Funny.. I said the same thing about 7-8 years ago..

Glad I put the JD2 on the credit card.. it's paid itself off about 50 times. Bought the "bare bones" manual setup and pushed it "armstrong" style for a year or so before I bought my air/hydro cylinder. Rocked that air/hydro setup for about 5 years or so and finally upgraded to full elect/hydro.. and converted it to bend vertically.

I would say that, if you plan to just bend a winch hoop or some rock slider steps.. then it's not worth spending the coin on a nice rotary bender. However, if you plan on doing even 1 complete cage, that's probably getting close to being worth the purchase.

**MO2500** · 04-21-2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BESRK

However, if you plan on doing even 1 complete cage, that's probably getting close to being worth the purchase.

I bought my Pro Tools 105HD and just finished up my cage a few weeks ago. So far that's all I'v done with it and it was definitely worth the purchase

I do plan to do more with it and purchase a few more die sets for other sizes.

Roughboy · 04-21-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BESRK

Funny.. I said the same thing about 7-8 years ago..

Glad I put the JD2 on the credit card.. it's paid itself off about 50 times. Bought the "bare bones" manual setup and pushed it "armstrong" style for a year or so before I bought my air/hydro cylinder. Rocked that air/hydro setup for about 5 years or so and finally upgraded to full elect/hydro.. and converted it to bend vertically.

I would say that, if you plan to just bend a winch hoop or some rock slider steps.. then it's not worth spending the coin on a nice rotary bender. However, if you plan on doing even 1 complete cage, that's probably getting close to being worth the purchase.

Eddie,
If my hobbie turned into a profitable business for self, and I earned the respect and admiration of my fellow jeepers, like you have, then bring it on!

Rodney

**BESRK** · 04-22-2011, 06:41 AM

You'd be surprised how popular you'll become with a tube bender. Even if it's just with the local wheelers/clubs.. the DIY'ers will seek you out if you give them a fair deal.

Roughboy · 04-23-2011, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BESRK

You'd be surprised how popular you'll become with a tube bender. Even if it's just with the local wheelers/clubs.. the DIY'ers will seek you out if you give them a fair deal.

It may be in the works, I have enough crap for sale and 2 junkers that need to be stripped before taking them to the metal yard. The scrap metal price alone should be enough to buy an entry level bender. Maybe I could just sell my wife's gold!

Rodney

**BESRK** · 04-23-2011, 06:29 AM

Around here, I think you can get about $40-$50 a week selling your blood plasma..

**captainauti** · 04-23-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MO2500

I bought my Pro Tools 105HD and just finished up my cage a few weeks ago. So far that's all I'v done with it and it was definitely worth the purchase

I do plan to do more with it and purchase a few more die sets for other sizes.

pics of the bender and bends please.... i think i am ready to do it. im thinking the 105..... inside info would be great.

**MO2500** · 04-23-2011, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainauti

pics of the bender and bends please.... i think i am ready to do it. im thinking the 105..... inside info would be great.

I've since added some more support to my DIY stand to make it a little more sturdy. Works great! I'm very happy with the bend quality and accuracy

1.75" - 6"CLR - 240 degree die