Tubing Benders

[BobDrye]

I purchased this out Ebay for $200.00 + shipping. Now I need to learn to use it!

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/1480159571_P1010672.JPG

 

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/678291452_P1010670.JPG

 

:7head:

[sporqster]

fill your tubes with sand to prevent them from caving at the bends. I've got a similar one from Harbor Freight - but it doesn't have those handy feet to set it sideways!

[southwind25]

Do they have any more???

oh,,this would be cool...i could bend up a new-higher one for those track days. what sizes did it accomidate?

[slngsht]

Bob, I have the HF version of that, and it kinks tubes like there is no tomorrow It will probably work if filled with sand.

 

Southwind, If you want to do tight colapse free bends, go with http://www.jd2.com/ . That's what Arya used for my roll bar, and the results are fantastic. No sand filling needed, and very accurate bends.

 

For more free flowing curves (LARGE radius), you need a 3 roller bender, but those are $1000...

[BobDrye]

Do they have any more???

oh,,this would be cool...i could bend up a new-higher one for those track days. what sizes did it accomidate?

 

 

Type in Portable-10-Ton-Hydraulic-Pipe-Tube-Bender on Ebay. It comes with dies from 1/2' - 2". I'm going to try the sand. I have some real thin wall tubing to bend. Do you wet the sand and then pack it in or do you use it dry?

 

[slngsht]

You're supposed to use it dry - especially if you're gonna heat the tube. I tried bending light (.050) and heavy (.120) tubing with that, and gave up on it. As I said before, didn't try sand.

[BusaLoco]

This site has some simple math (for a simple ton) solutions for "Bending Tube".

Apparently you don't have to be a rocket scientist to bend tube.

[powderbrake]

I haven't bent any large diameter tubing, only smaller stuff, but that "bending tube" link is a terriffic reference. It makes the layout, bend set points etc., almost idiot proof.

Thanks for the link, BusaLoco.

[Birkin42]

I''d love to have a nice tube bender, but so far only have the need to make one bend of about 90 degrees in a 1" OD tube where I need a center line radius of 5.5" or fairly close to. I have a hard time justifying spending the kind of money for a bender with die to make a desent bend for the sake of 1 bend. I had thought about looking for a shop with a tube bender but I fear my need for the specific bend radius which seems large for the size of tube will be a tough find. I also thought about using an electrical conduit bender but fear they won't be strong enough and/or will kink the tube.

Any thoughts or suggestions that won't break the bank?

[powderbrake]

I made a lot of bends in heavywall electrical conduit as an apprentice electrician, so I believe you could check the radius of the benders available at Home Depot. It may be a cheap solution to your needs.

[slngsht]

I''d love to have a nice tube bender, but so far only have the need to make one bend of about 90 degrees in a 1" OD tube where I need a center line radius of 5.5" or fairly close to. I have a hard time justifying spending the kind of money for a bender with die to make a desent bend for the sake of 1 bend. I had thought about looking for a shop with a tube bender but I fear my need for the specific bend radius which seems large for the size of tube will be a tough find. I also thought about using an electrical conduit bender but fear they won't be strong enough and/or will kink the tube.

Any thoughts or suggestions that won't break the bank?

 

My little bender

 

About $8 in wood, some scrap metals for handles, some bolts and nuts

 

You'll need a router, radius arm, and a 1/2" cove bit.

[Mandurath]

As some have discovered, a pipe bender does not work as well as a tubing bender. I am tempted myself for the cost, but the kinks most leave won't pass tech from what I am told.

[tnttim]

Meccomcorp.com (Detroit, MI)

 

Ask these guys to do it, they are great and can have almost anything with in a day or two.

 

They bent my roll bar and I have to admit the bends are as perfect as I can measure with a Stanley tape measure.

 

 

 

Tim

[Arya Ebrahimi]

Bob, I fear the bender you bought will be no better than the "pipe kinker" (as they're affectionately known in the fabrication world) that you can buy at Harbor Freight.

 

I will soon have my JD2 bender in MD though. If you need any structurally critical bends done, I will be more than happy to help you out. That goes for anyone. I've been trying to work out a pricing structure for bending things for people. I'm thinking $20/bend with the price getting cheaper if you need multiple bends etc. Currently I have a 1" die and a 1.75" die, but will be acquiring more as needed.

 

If any of you need things bent around the country let me know. There's a fairly active bunch of fabricators on pirate4x4.com (where the bending tutorial is hosted) and I may be able to find someone in your area that can help you out.

 

Ary