Tubing Bender.

[fenters2005]

To the guys who use them or have used them, What do you have or have used. I thought about getting one. I dont know how often I would use one but it would be another valued tool in the garage. I have seen some bender plans.

A buddy of mine bought the orange HF one and took it back the same day....like this one
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32888

I have another buddy with the one you mount to your garage floor from HF and it seems to work good. like this one.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=31980

any info guys?

[Thunderbolt51]

http://www.medfordtools.com/mb3.html
http://www.medfordtools.com/benders/m3b/01.jpg

MUST SEE THIS !!! HOW to, Bending tube;
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html

[fenters2005]

Is this what you use? I watched a video on it, I kinda like it. I just wouldnt know which die set to get.

[Heff]

That`s some great info Thunderbolt. I`m putting that link to my favorites since my next stool is going to be round tube. Heff

[Thunderbolt51]

Fenters, just get the die set for the tube size you intend to bend (1" ??). I think that the Harbor Freight bender is just for bar or flatstock and not for tubing. That bending info really helps simplify doing it, and a lot cheaper than computer programs too !!

[Mike Bean]

I purchased some plans a while back off eBay and I am just now building the bender. I forget the name of the guy, the plans had a name like gottrikes.com in it.

The plans are pretty nice and can bend 180 Deg.

Have Fun!

Mike Bean

[fenters2005]

I've seen those also mike, Can you post some pics of yours? did you run air/hydraulics or manual?

[fox_racin4]

i have one from boss tools (kinda like princess auto) 16 ton will bent from 1/2 to 3 inch pipe only thing is it has to be thicker pipe it will kink exhaust pipe i can get a 180 of i do multiple bends

http://thumbs.ebaystatic.com/pict/180170805333_1.jpg

[Mike Bean]

I've seen those also mike, Can you post some pics of yours? did you run air/hydraulics or manual?

Hey Fenters,

I have not finished mine yet. I am still cutting the steel. I am hoping to start welding this weekend on it.

Click on the link below for the plans I am using. You will need to click on the Tube Bender Plans when you get to the site and you can see what other people have built so far.

http://gottrikes.com/

I think I am going to go with the manual hydraulic to start and see how it works. I will mainly be bending 1-5/8 .135 wall DOM.

Mike Bean

[OffroadRatFabricator]

Stay away from harborfreight tube benders. they just kink the tube. go for JD2 model 3 $295 + dies. that the way to go.

[dwright]

Here is one I have been working on from Frank Takacs, gotrikes.com
Doug

[rchavez101]

Stay away from harborfreight tube benders. they just kink the tube. go for JD2 model 3 $295 + dies. that the way to go.

Just a thought but did you fill the tube with sand? I heard that if you filled them with sand they would not kink.

[c.schulz]

Guys there is just no way around it. You will have to invest the money and get a bender like the JD2. I bought a Pro-Tools unit that works just the same but I preffered them over JD2 because they have the dies in stock and JD2 has a lead time of weeks. Just food for thought.

Chris

[cwpwelwiz]

I own the jd2 tube bender and I love it. No issues with this bender and yes its the way to go