Tube bender qs

callaway · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 4:31 pm

I'm looking at making a roll cage for my cj out of 2" od .120" wall tube.

That being said, I don't have the funds available for an 'official' tube bender like the JD2 series. Would something like this suffice?

Seems strange that the JD2 bender by itself is close to $300 (and then the die sets are another $200 - $300) while the bender pictured above is ~$120 after shipping w/a bunch of dies...

Rush345 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 9:48 pm

I don't know if this will help but it appears to offer many options.

http://www.allstates.com/tubing_bender_ ... rel_st.htm

Hope it helps

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Thu Apr 17, 2008 11:04 pm

That's a pipe bender, not a tube bender. You can make it work, but it is a lot of work. That particular bender the included dies are different OD's than using tube. It's been awhile, but if I remember correctly, if bending 2" OD tube, you would have to use something like a 2.25" OD die. Those benders make a pretty nasty flat bend at the outside of the bend as the press will try to fold the tube instead of bending it, then the two outer rollers put some pretty nasty dents in the tube as well. Some guys get it to work OK for roll cages and things that they don't care about looks, by filling the tubing with sand, capping the ends, then bending. I tried them a long time ago before I got smart, and they are a waste of money. The ProTools bender is about $6-700 with one die if you look in the right place, and make some nice work. I highly recommend the ProTools bender. Paying someone to bend the tubing is more expensive that getting a proper bender, and you will scrap a lot of tube or be real unhappy with the end product if you go cheap with the pipe bender. And, IMHO, a flattened bend from using the pipe bender instead of an even rounding radius bend from a proper bender is not as safe. If making something that is supposed to protect you in the event of a rollover, you don't want any possibly fail points. Save some more money, get the proper bender, sell it when you are done. You will get most of your money back in the sale if you only use it for one cage, whereas you won't get squat in resale with a pipe bender.

callaway · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:15 am

Rock Lizard wrote:

That's a pipe bender, not a tube bender. You can make it work, but it is a lot of work. That particular bender the included dies are different OD's than using tube. It's been awhile, but if I remember correctly, if bending 2" OD tube, you would have to use something like a 2.25" OD die. Those benders make a pretty nasty flat bend at the outside of the bend as the press will try to fold the tube instead of bending it, then the two outer rollers put some pretty nasty dents in the tube as well. Some guys get it to work OK for roll cages and things that they don't care about looks, by filling the tubing with sand, capping the ends, then bending. I tried them a long time ago before I got smart, and they are a waste of money. The ProTools bender is about $6-700 with one die if you look in the right place, and make some nice work. I highly recommend the ProTools bender. Paying someone to bend the tubing is more expensive that getting a proper bender, and you will scrap a lot of tube or be real unhappy with the end product if you go cheap with the pipe bender. And, IMHO, a flattened bend from using the pipe bender instead of an even rounding radius bend from a proper bender is not as safe. If making something that is supposed to protect you in the event of a rollover, you don't want any possibly fail points. Save some more money, get the proper bender, sell it when you are done. You will get most of your money back in the sale if you only use it for one cage, whereas you won't get squat in resale with a pipe bender.

I had read a few cage builds where the hf jack benders were used and the issue of flat surfaces or ugly bends did come up...

Guess I just get the proper equipment and do it right the first time

Thanks for all the great info! That's why we keep guys like you around

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:16 am

A friend of mine bought one of those and was going to start making bumpers , cages etc, after about three bends (or trying to bend ) he gave up and returned it, wasn't looking good at all. Cost a little bit more to go first class but worth it!

Rush345 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:24 am

I finally found the tube bender I was tryng to tell you about.

http://www.tubeshark.com/

Hopefull this wont give you sticker shock.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Sun Apr 20, 2008 10:27 am

Rush345 wrote:

I finally found the tube bender I was tryng to tell you about.

http://www.tubeshark.com/

Hopefull this wont give you sticker shock.

You would post that. I have been wanting one of those for years. Absolutely incredible machine, and I think for what it does, that price tag is very reasonable. Not for a hobby, but for a business it would pay itself off in a hurry.

Rush345 · **Posted:** Sun Apr 20, 2008 4:35 pm

You are right Marty that is one tool that would be a perfect fit for your shop and make your Sliders a lot easier to manufacture. I would think it would pay for itself in no time in saved man hours, and consistancy of fit and finish. Not to mention it tips the chart on COOL Factor :twisted:

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Mon Apr 21, 2008 8:48 am

Keep an eye on various forums, including Pirate4x4.com for used benders. They can usually be found for cheap and usually lightly used. (of course I figure that out after investing a bunch of money into one :roll:

)
Even w/ a good bender it is not the easiest tool to get used to and takes some practice and wasted tubing to get the hang of it. I highly recommend getting some Tube Bending Software to help you figure out the best way to make your parts.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Tue Apr 22, 2008 7:34 pm

Here's one on a local board that just popped up. Pretty good deal and has the 2" die: http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=121485

callaway · **Posted:** Wed Apr 23, 2008 12:17 pm

Rock Lizard wrote:

Here's one on a local board that just popped up. Pretty good deal and has the 2" die: http://www.colorado4x4.org/vbb/showthread.php?t=121485

For that model thats not a bad price... too bad its in the wrong state =/

Rush345 · **Posted:** Sun May 04, 2008 6:54 pm

I found IT , while watching Trucks TV on the Spike Channel I found a tube bender at a great price $300.00 :shock:

Having a DVR I rewond 3 time to make sure I was hearing things wrong. So I went to the web site and it is all TRUE it handles round tube frpm 1/2" up to 2 1/2" for square tube 1/2" up to 1 1/2 " Check it out go to:

http://www.jd2.com/

:twisted:

durangotang · **Posted:** Sun May 04, 2008 6:59 pm

That's a good find... I am probably going to order their tube notcher veeeery soon.

Rush345 · **Posted:** Sun May 04, 2008 8:36 pm

durangotang wrote:

That's a good find... I am probably going to order their tube notcher veeeery soon.

When I saw it I thought of you, TomMudd and a hand full of other LOST members would be all over it at that price. On the show you even got to see it in action and it was SWEET. If I didn't live in a 1-bedroom apartment, I would get one.

KJ 119 · **Posted:** Mon May 05, 2008 6:42 pm

Better have big bucks!
Or just use a hole-saw with a long 1/4" bit.

805gregg · **Posted:** Thu May 08, 2008 10:07 pm

Check ot JD Squared, the best and cheapist I've seen, also the have a great notcher too.

Tube bender qs

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