"Tube Bender" info/experience

[Functional Artist]

I've seen low cost "tube benders" on eBay.

Here's one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3JD2-Model-...885808?hash=item3f6f845f70:g:FaYAAOSwbdpWY02d

It looks like a single die costs nearly as much as the bender.

...and it looks like you need different dies for 90 degree & 180 degree bends.

Please share any & all information on bending tubing.

Information,

...we want information.

 

[tazmannusa]

That's the way to go if you want decent bends , I bought the JD 32 manual bender and it works sweet, Dies are expensive, best bet get the 180 degree dies , for the most part 90 degree covers it but at times you may want 180

 

[chancer]

Yup. The JD32 seems to be the bender of Choice, Without getting into Electronics and Hydraulics.
I have a friend that has had one for 15 or 20 years now. In the mid 90s He made his money back on it in a month, bending up custom bumpers for young guys with Lifted mini trucks. So if you can find a need in your community definitely worth it.
He also used it extensively building Roll cages and custom suspension on his own off road trucks, and race cars. I can say it is a good, simple, quality machine

He had the Manual one, Right now it is $395.00 from the Manufacturer.
https://www.jd2.com/p-67-model-32-bender-manual.aspx
That is not too bad considering a Pipe bender like yours (and mine) is $195.00.

---------- Post added at 12:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:29 PM ----------

I also want to add this bit of experience.
He had a stand made that Bolted to the concrete slab. Also kept a long 5 or 6 foot tube around for leverage. and He and my Brother are Pretty big 250lb Guys. So it was not a 1 man operation. One guy needed to watch the tool and angle wheel, while the other was 6 feet away pushing the long lever.

 

[Joe-405]

They won't tell you but there is different benders for mild steel and chrome moly also. Which is why I don't have a chassis yet ! You have to physically call and ask to see if it will bend one or not.

 

[Jfive]

I'd like this one. http://www.eastwood.com/professiona...Oh0JeMpu9_YkeUn_yz1sfy-6hXxDVZopIoaAhAE8P8HAQ

 

[chancer]

I like the looks of that Eastwood even better. $439.00 With ALL the dies, and it is hydraulic!

 

[Jfive]

After I saw the workout of using a manual bender I started researching hydraulic ones and this is the best price imop.

 

[chancer]

Just noticed the Eastwood will only bend up to a 90° angle on up to .090 wall thickness. only as large as 1.00"
Check the details.
": Bends up to 90 degrees in 0.75" and 1.0" diameter
with wall thickness from 0.049" to 0.090”

Fine for a go Kart but not as versatile as the JD32

 

[Jfive]

They have a jd2 version as well. http://www.eastwood.com/high-capacity-tubing-bender.html

 

[chancer]

They have a jd2 version as well. http://www.eastwood.com/high-capacity-tubing-bender.html

Cool Thanks, I looked at their site and never saw that!
Again Dies sold separately, but more versatile bender and still less than the JD2 32.

 

[Jfive]

It would be cool to make a wood splitter/ tubing bender and use one of these and adapt it to the log splitter, assuming you need both.

 

[chancer]

Uhmmm... OK?

 

[Jfive]

Yeah I don't think Californians are even allowed to have wood stoves let alone see a wood splitter. I should of kept that one to the members of the North section lol.

 

[chancer]

Yeah I saw the map.... WA. BLUE STATE!!!

That was funny though!

 

[Jfive]

I'm leaving this blue state soon to Texas or Montana. I think I'm moving to Texas as soon a a job opens up for me to transfer. Need my freedom to do what I want syndrome. It's contagious I guess.

 

[OzFab]

You guys should consider yourselves lucky; once again, the same thing over here is more than double what you pay...

 

[Jfive]

But Isnt minimun wage alot higher there?

 

[Joe-405]

I'm leaving this blue state soon to Texas or Montana. I think I'm moving to Texas as soon a a job opens up for me to transfer. Need my freedom to do what I want syndrome. It's contagious I guess.

Good choice cause all them anti Trump people are gonna be stuck there trying to cross the Canadian border for a long while.

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

I have one just like it. I do stuff like this with it. They are worth every penny.

 

[Functional Artist]

He had the Manual one, Right now it is $395.00 from the Manufacturer.
https://www.jd2.com/p-67-model-32-bender-manual.aspx
That is not too bad considering a Pipe bender like yours (and mine) is $195.00.



I also want to add this bit of experience.
He had a stand made that Bolted to the concrete slab. Also kept a long 5 or 6 foot tube around for leverage. and He and my Brother are Pretty big 250lb Guys. So it was not a 1 man operation. One guy needed to watch the tool and angle wheel, while the other was 6 feet away pushing the long lever.

I've had my bender for a minute, (wouldn't fit under the gate) but It was ~$59.00 when I got it.

That's what I was lookin' for information!

The manual bender is NOT a one man job. Hmmm. interesting

How accurate of bends? (the bend you had in mind & where)

How about compound bends? (a bend next to a bend but, in a different direction)

Maybe even, members attempted &/or completed frames?

---------- Post added at 07:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------

I have one just like it. I do stuff like this with it. They are worth every penny.

Very Kool!

Have you made any kart or motor bike frames with it?

What are the pluses & minuses, from your experience?