Tube bender opinions?

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K

Kurtis

Joined
Feb 28, 2008
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I'm looking to buy a bender. I talked to M tech supply in town here and they were very friendly and helpful now I'm just trying to make a final decision.
Anyone have any expierence or opinions?
I'm looking at the Pro Tools 105 Pro tools 105hd, JD2 Model 3 and Model 32
From my research the 105 is the best buy but only does up to 1"3/4 .134 . the hd does up to 2" .134
The JD2 model 3 does up to 2" .120 dom. Model 32 is beefy, does up to 2"1/2, and up to 2" at .250.
If I'm never going over 1"3/4 the 105 makes sense, I like the degree ring better. The jd2 model 3 is a good compromise for the same price as the 105 it will do 2" but I don't like the ring as much.

If I go up in price the model 32 seems like the way to go as it is a huge step up in capacity. For the same price as a 105hd you can go .250 wall and 2" 1/2 inch. Die prices are fairly close.

As it probably seems I'm pretty stumped on which one to purchase. JD2 seems to make a slightly better die design but for me this isn't a big deal as I know I will probably hardly use it.

Is there honestly much I would want to bend out of 2" tube? My immediate use is a cage for engine on my rail, finishing my other rail, some sliders, track bar, new cross member and bumper work on the 60, some shock hoops, and probably a pre runner in the next couple of years. Maybe some odd stuff like stands or work tables for working on my dirt bikes.
Also about 1 die is what the budget is going to allow at the moment, if you could choose 1 size what would you go? I'm thinking 1.5" 5.5 radius and the 180 degree capacity, Or 1.75 5.5 180.

Thanks I just figured I'd ask here as it seems like there's a lot of fab knowledge and strong opinions.
 
I currently have a 105 with air/conversion. I used to own model 3 and between the two I would pick the JD2. Die changes and general setup was always smoother with the model 3. I had the die break at the weld on the pro tools and had to send it back for warranty work. Even though mtech is local doesn't mean you can skirt shipping costs. Trick Tools has some great service.
 
Thats good to know. What made you switch to the 105 originally? M tech will ship free to my door for local customers. Do you have the 105 or 105 hd? Whats the biggest tube you bend with the 105?
What dies did you go with? Thanks for the response.
 
I honestly might just go with the jd2 32 and be done with it. That thing is beefy. I'll probably never bend stuff 1/4" thick but you never know.
 
Another way to go is to make one, lots of plans, threads in the subject. If you plan on converting to vertical/hydraulic, making the whole deal is that much more difficult?
 
It'l only do .120 wall after 2" but it does .250 wall to 2". I can't imagine ever going bigger than that. Trophy trucks aren't even that heavy.
 
Kurtis said:
It'l only do .120 wall after 2" but it does .250 wall to 2". I can't imagine ever going bigger than that. Trophy trucks aren't even that heavy.
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Obviously you have never looked at the front bumper on my Piggy. 2.75 x 0.25 tube with a 2.50 x 0.25 insert at the seams. I even tapped then ends so I could close them up with pipe plugs. Ya don't wanta know how long that took to do by hand!!!!! John
 
That is some serious bumper!

I did consider building but most the plans for verticals only go up to 90 degree bends. I don't have the tooling to knock out something like that very well either. I was suprised the model 32 is only 400$ plus dies so not to bad. I'm sure once I get it and do the first couple bends i'll want air.... but for as much as i'll use it i'll deal with hand cranking for a while. I never plan on using it for production work just personal projects. I guess converting them doesn't cost to much.
I have a friend who makes plasma cnc machines so i'm hoping to pick one of those up by the end of the year as well. Depends how much more I have to spend on classes at ASU to graduate over the next year.
 
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I'm about to buy 3/4, 1" and 1.25 dies his week so that's good to know on the shipping with mtech. Hopefully they'll give me the same deal. I sold the model 3 due to needing money and then needed a bender quickly so snapped up the 105 used off dezertrangers. It was well used and maybe that's why I liked the model 3 better. I've never needed to bend anything over.120 and mostly build for strength to weight ratio in mind rather than overkill rock smashing strength. I figure if I need to bend something hD I would find a shop to do it for $15-20 bucks. The hD might be what you need down the line though. Check Race-dezert and Dezertrangers in the classifieds too. I know there's a jd2 on craigslist right now too with a few dies but he won't separate them.
 
Yea the free shipping offer was nice, it'l probably be pretty close to a wash though since they are local with the tax. If your ordering that much stuff though it might be better paying the shipping not the tax. What part of AZ are you in?
 
Kurtis said:
...
I have a friend who makes plasma cnc machines so i'm hoping to pick one of those up by the end of the year as well. Depends how much more I have to spend on classes at ASU to graduate over the next year.
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If you have access to CNC cutters, it makes building one an easy deal. IIRC there are plans with solidworks/cut codes for all of the parts in the Pirate Tools forum, some of the metal working forums, etc.
 
A few points, I have no idea of your working set up, etc, so guesses, mostly based on my experiences:

How much bending have you done? Where/how would the bender be mounted/used? Have you ever used a vertical bender?

Manual/horizontal benders have to be solidly mounted, preferably level. Most home slabs have drainage angle, are far from level. They are not portable. They have to be mounted where there is room for operation, the handle swings in a large arc, tube stock even bigger. To judge bend angle, you have to rely on degree wheel (hope you set it right), t-square or adjustable angle square.

Hydraulic/vertical benders are portable, can take them to a buddies, store them in the corner, move them where you want to work. There is no handle, the tube goes straight up, so requires much less room to work. All of the tools used on a horizontal for judging bend angle work, plus the easy bonus. Simply use a magnetic angle finder, tension the tube, measure the angle, move it to the tail past the bend and bend till the desired angle is achieved. Push the button and bend.

Some have limited bend angle, require harder to make slots, different dies, their advantage is they are very compact. Like this free plan:

200 Build Your Own Bender

Others will bend past 90, some 180. The got trikes type are well proven, tons have been made. Are easy to machine, just saw cutting and drilling and use common dies. I have a very heavy drill press and horizontal band saw, that you can use. Also have some 1/2" steel plate, if you could get it cut and cut parts for me, the 1/2" steel for yours would be free. It is very likely that a good hydraulic/vertical could be made for less than a manual/horizontal.

Tube_Bender

The bender build thread, mostly got trikes, but also others, copies of the other, etc, great read.

homebuilt tubing bender - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

There are a bunch of bender comparison threads, also great prices on benders and dies. Some searching will net more threads like this.

Best bender for the price - Pirate4x4.Com Bulletin Board

How much bending are you planning? There are some in the club, proper "wheel greasing" may get the job gone without owning yep another that gets little use?:hillbilly:
 
Unfortunately I know I cannot justify the cost but I figure I'm 26 so maybe over the next 50 years it'l come in handy. Immediately I need an engine cage for my rail. I figure that would cost around 3-500 to have done. Bend up some sliders and tire carrier for the 60. I also have another nicer rail frame I would like to finish someday. I mainly ride desert and mx on my dirtbike but I think it would be a lot of fun to race a pre runner some day so In the next year or two I would like to work on one of those.

My thing is if I have the tool i'm much more apt to attempt things. Plus I was pretty surprised at the cost 295$ or 395$ depending on how heavy duty you go plus dies I'll just start out with one die. and i'll be in it about 680$ I figure if I pay $5 - $7000 a year going to school to learn I can spend $680 to learn something I actually enjoy. Luckily I'm almost done with school because it seriously crimps the project budget.
 
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