Hyd Tubing Bender Home Built

[Mike Bean]

I wanted to share this bender I built form plans I got off of eBay. You can also get them from GotTrikes.com.

I decided to make this my first official TIG welded project. The bender is made from 2” x 2” x ¼” MS tubing and ½” Flat Stock.

I did my first bend today of 1-5/8” MS .135 wall. It took about 60 seconds of bend time for 90* using the air cylinder.

I compared and measured the diameter of the middle of the bend on the one I made to a 90* bend from a local chassis shop. Both measurements were 1.550. This shows that the bender plans can bend just as good as the professional shops on their high end benders.

I decided to be lazy and tap 4 holes on the bottom of the bender legs and install caster wheels so I can push the bender around. I got the wheels from Harbor Freight for about $3.00 each. There were rated for 100 lbs ea and the bender rolls very smooth, better than I would have thought for the cost of the wheels and being from Harbor Freight.

I have attached several photos of the build. If anyone wants to build with a barstool racer out of tubing, this one will do the job and it bends up to 180*

Mike Bean
:hot:

[ckoczara]

I wanted to share this bender I built form plans I got off of eBay. You can also get them from GotTrikes.com.

I decided to make this my first official TIG welded project. The bender is made from 2” x 2” x ¼” MS tubing and ½” Flat Stock.

I did my first bend today of 1-5/8” MS .135 wall. It took about 60 seconds of bend time for 90* using the air cylinder.

I compared and measured the diameter of the middle of the bend on the one I made to a 90* bend from a local chassis shop. Both measurements were 1.550. This shows that the bender plans can bend just as good as the professional shops on their high end benders.

I decided to be lazy and tap 4 holes on the bottom of the bender legs and install caster wheels so I can push the bender around. I got the wheels from Harbor Freight for about $3.00 each. There were rated for 100 lbs ea and the bender rolls very smooth, better than I would have thought for the cost of the wheels and being from Harbor Freight.

I have attached several photos of the build. If anyone wants to build with a barstool racer out of tubing, this one will do the job and it bends up to 180*

Mike Bean
:hot:


Mike;

That is a serious bender! It looks like a cannon in your driveway. Go Big, or Go Home......

Chris :thumb:

[Mike Bean]

Hi Chris,

If you want to bend with the big boys you a need a big toy. I think it weighs about 200 lbs.

I researched various bender plans on the web and these plans seemed to be the easiest to build with the best setup. I gave it a try and I am very happy with the design.

Mike Bean

[Redrooster]

Hi Mike.... nice job on the bender... how much did it cost to build it?
can you post some pictures of your tig set up? ... nice welding... Thanks Redrooster...

[c.schulz]

Ive been wanting to build a bender also. This one looks great for the money and it bends 180*. Cool!!!


Chris

[Mike Bean]

Hi Mike.... nice job on the bender... how much did it cost to build it?
can you post some pictures of your tig set up? ... nice welding... Thanks Redrooster...

Hi Redrooster,

Believe it or not, I purchased the steel a year ago and it cost $180 for all of it. There are a few hardened shafts you need and can get which run about $25 for all of them. The bender dies will average $200 depending on what size you need.

As for TIG I got a Lincoln Precision TIG 225. I have attahced a photo of it.

Mike Bean

[Redrooster]

Hi Mike, thank's for the information, the tig machine looks really nice...

[fenters2005]

Mike, Did you use a drill press for the 1/2 stock or did you carry it to a shop to get drilled?

[Mike Bean]

Hi Fenters,

I used my drill press. I got a set of large bits at Harbor Freight for $30 and I tack welded the parts that had left and right sides together and drilled both at the same time.

Mike Bean