Harbor Freight Pipe Bender for bumpers?

[number9]

I need to put some race kart style front bumpers on my boys Manco AmEx karts. Race style rear bumpers too, but I can buy those. I'm thinking of getting the HF bender and some 3/4" frame tubing and making my own front bumpers.

Anyone use that bender for this type application? What size wall thickness should I look for on the bumper tubing?

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[chancer]

Which HF bender.
The cheap Pipe Bender does not work that good. But it is possible.

 

[number9]

Sorry, this one

http://m.harborfreight.com/12-ton-hydraulic-pipe-bender-32888.html

 

[chancer]

Yeah that is the one I have. I will first tell you, I would not spend the 109 bucks on it. It just does not work that well for what you want.
So I quickly found mine on Craigs list 40 bucks. Cant go wrong right.
Looked up a bunch of you tube videos. It is possible to use this, I have done it. It works better on Gas pipe than steel tubing, Due to the wall thickness and the dies it comes with are made for Pipe not Tubing.
To do a 90 degree bend it will usually kink the pipe. You can try filling and packing the pipe with sand to prevent kinking. I also found it to be inconsistent one bend works great the other side of the pipe (bumper) kinks.
Really it is just trial and error. If you are patient and open minded it is a cheap way to go.

---------- Post added at 07:12 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:09 PM ----------

Here is a thread from Jim, he has usd his quite a bit, So I asked him for tips and got this...
http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=29309