For those of you who are DIY's, what type of tube bender and die's do you use. Trying to find out what I should get weighing both quality and cost.
Thanks,
Dave
Thanks,
Dave
Tube Bender's
- Thread starter acflyguy18
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
crushers
post ho
stay away from Powerfist... they are s***...
yooper
SILVER Star
There is a workshop and tools tech forum where you might get better answers than here in chat
Workshops - Tools - Home Improvement - IH8MUD Forums
must.....resist.....apostrophe correction........weakening........
Workshops - Tools - Home Improvement - IH8MUD Forums
must.....resist.....apostrophe correction........weakening........
I use a JD2. i just converted it to air/hydraulic.
I've been a bit disappointed with some wear issues, but overall it works good and has bent some tube. The price seems right compared to some others.
That probender looks like it addresses some of the bigger issues I have with the JD2
I've been a bit disappointed with some wear issues, but overall it works good and has bent some tube. The price seems right compared to some others.
That probender looks like it addresses some of the bigger issues I have with the JD2
- Thread starter
- #6
yooper thanks for the placement,
I was looking at the probender also, and did notice it used the JD2 dies; anyone selling dies???
For those with JD2 wear issues, what is the problem.
How do you all think the probender prices are compared to others?
I watched a youtube video of them bending some tube and it didn't seem like it took that long, but I am not real versed in this craft.
Thanks for the input,
Dave
I was looking at the probender also, and did notice it used the JD2 dies; anyone selling dies???
For those with JD2 wear issues, what is the problem.
How do you all think the probender prices are compared to others?
I watched a youtube video of them bending some tube and it didn't seem like it took that long, but I am not real versed in this craft.
Thanks for the input,
Dave
crushers
post ho
The pin that the comb arm attaches too was pretty worn, as was the hole in the arm. These take the brunt of the lever force and are both eliminated when I put in the ram.
I also broke a follower on the die doing a compound bend. They are aluminum.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2002
- Threads
- 558
- Messages
- 8,122
- Location
- Kamloops, BC Canada
- Website
- www.shopraddcruisers.ca
Wow, thats some serious wear, must bend a pile of tube.
North West Fab uses there electric over hydrolic bender to bend DOM steering linkage and its taken a beating, even broke the part the pin goes through to hold the die. JD2 dies look really beat up.
Kyle has mentioned he will make his next set of dies on the cnc mill out of some tougher material.
I have a Pro-Tools 105. It's taken everything I've thrown at it and works great. I wish I'd gotten the HD but oh well. There are a few good debates on the net about whats good. Google pro-tools and jd2 and a few links pop up.
And definitely lube the s*** out of the follower. HUGE difference in ease and quality of bends.
And definitely lube the s*** out of the follower. HUGE difference in ease and quality of bends.
JD2 Manual Bender
Here is a couple shots of some bends with my JD2. The independent piece of tube is 1 3/4 od by .120 wall HREW. The rollbar bends are 1 3/4 by .120 DOM. Both types of pipe bend flawlessly with this bender. I spent a couple months researching benders after looking at them for a couple of years. The JD2 had a great selection of dies and the followers have replaceable guides. The package I purchased came with the degree wheel, stand, 1 set of dies, and the cheater bar. The stand was about $100. I could have built my own stand for less in material cost, but not worth the time. And, I bent pipe the same day the bender came off the UPS truck. I went with the manual bender after nearly going with air/hydraulic or full hydraulic. When I counted how many bends I would probably do per year, it made no sense to spend the extra money. Good thing too because the cost of DOM tubing about killed me off. I found a deal for $6.50 a foot if I bought 100 feet. HREW was around $3.50 per foot. I have heard that prices are going down but haven't checked recently. I have been completely satisfied with the JD2. I sunk some 5/8 inch anchors in the middle of my garage to secure the base when I bend. Then store the bender in the corner the other 350 days of the year.
Here is a couple shots of some bends with my JD2. The independent piece of tube is 1 3/4 od by .120 wall HREW. The rollbar bends are 1 3/4 by .120 DOM. Both types of pipe bend flawlessly with this bender. I spent a couple months researching benders after looking at them for a couple of years. The JD2 had a great selection of dies and the followers have replaceable guides. The package I purchased came with the degree wheel, stand, 1 set of dies, and the cheater bar. The stand was about $100. I could have built my own stand for less in material cost, but not worth the time. And, I bent pipe the same day the bender came off the UPS truck. I went with the manual bender after nearly going with air/hydraulic or full hydraulic. When I counted how many bends I would probably do per year, it made no sense to spend the extra money. Good thing too because the cost of DOM tubing about killed me off. I found a deal for $6.50 a foot if I bought 100 feet. HREW was around $3.50 per foot. I have heard that prices are going down but haven't checked recently. I have been completely satisfied with the JD2. I sunk some 5/8 inch anchors in the middle of my garage to secure the base when I bend. Then store the bender in the corner the other 350 days of the year.
Close up of DOM bend
One more pic
One more pic
crushers
post ho
NICE bends...
JD2... noted.
thanks M8
JD2... noted.
thanks M8
Off topic...sort of...
What notcher are you using?
Do you like it?
I want a bender SOOOOO BAAAAD, but Ive got so much other crap I need for my V8, that its just gonna HAVE to wait.
Nice job on the roll cage!
Chicago
I have used both the Pro Tools and the JD,but by far the best bender I have ever used is a Tube Shark.Before I used one I thought it looked like a pain to use.But vertical bending is the sh*t!!I dont even know how to explain how much easier it is to use than a horizontal bender.Now that I think about it I can ;p One of the greatest things about it is that you can just slap your angle finder on the the tube while bending to get the bend that you want.No degree ring or POS protractor BS to deal with .And then there is the Tube Shark software,that is a whole nother thing of pure joy 
I have used quite a few notchers also.And as far as hole saw notchers go the JMR piece is the best I have used so far
I have used quite a few notchers also.And as far as hole saw notchers go the JMR piece is the best I have used so far
Last edited:
I did up all the DOM tube on my 55 with a Tube Shark and JMR notcher
Rear bumper...
Rear bumper...
Almi notcher, Ercolina benders
These are both serious tools but if you've got the scratch, Almi grinder/notchers are fast and make perfect notches for any diameter tubing or pipe. Painless (except when you get your thumbnail sanded off) and easy to adjust the notch little by little if needed.
For benders, hands down the Italian made Ercolina wins everywhere other than price. Very compact unit, dies change in 2 seconds, programmable for repeat bends, 7 seconds for a 90 degree and have a provision for a mandrel attachment (cubic dollars)
-luke
These are both serious tools but if you've got the scratch, Almi grinder/notchers are fast and make perfect notches for any diameter tubing or pipe. Painless (except when you get your thumbnail sanded off) and easy to adjust the notch little by little if needed.
For benders, hands down the Italian made Ercolina wins everywhere other than price. Very compact unit, dies change in 2 seconds, programmable for repeat bends, 7 seconds for a 90 degree and have a provision for a mandrel attachment (cubic dollars)
-luke
UC has a Pro Tools 105 HD. It's a beast especially bending 2". But it can be done.
