What brand/model tubing bender??

[C4Bird]

I am looking to buy a tubing bender, but having very little experience with them, I am having a hard time deciding. Right now looking at the JD2 Model 3 (like the least) and the pro-tools HMP200(like the most). I would like to stay at around $1000-$1200 including 1 5/8" dies and 2" dies with ability to bend up to .135 wall. It has to be portable, no hard mounted floor base, and of course has to work well (seen a few cheesy ones, not to mention the one harbor freight sells). Most of the use will be crossmembers, roll cages/bars, and bumpers. What do all the frabricators out there use? What do you like ans dislike about either listed above?
Thanks in advance!
-Nate

[MrQuick]

I bought a Mittler bros compact unit , never looked back, very portable and does great bends. It cost me $1800 with everything I need, They do sell shoes for square tube. im very satisfied, Im glad I made the purchase.
http://www.mittlerbros.com

[C4Bird]

I'll give them a call today. Sounds just like what I am looking for. Thanks!
-Nate

[TurboLark]

I use a JD2. Mounted on a rolling table and hooked up used hydraulic controls. I have less than 1000.00 in it with a couple die sets. The bends it makes have saved the lives of 2 of my friends.

[CamaroAJ]

i go mine from speedway motors for $450, it does a good job but i blew the seals out of two 8 ton bottle jacks so i got a 12 ton one from wal-mart and haven't have a problem since.

[C4Bird]

Lark, which model JD2? Sounds like the way I may want to go. CAJ, I'll check out the one a Speedway. Thanks!
-Nate

[Poopy]

Get the JD2 model 3, its a great bender, three of my friends own Fab shops and thats what they use. Make a hydro kit for it and you're set.

Heres some of one friends work with that bender:

[C4Bird]

Those look great. I ended up pickup of the JD2 model 3. Should be here the end of the month. I cant wait! Thanks for the pics P.

[Ralph LoGrasso]

C4, How much did the JD2 run you all together? Got a link to it? I'm going to be purchasing a tubing bender within the next couple of months to do my rollcage.

Thanks,

[C4Bird]

Ralph, I picked it up from VanSant. Here is the link: http://www.vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm I picked up the manual version with shipping and one die set for just under $650. They have a hydraulic kit for it that I may pick up later if I don't build my own. Hope this helps.
-Nate

[Ralph LoGrasso]

Thanks, Nate. That bender looks really good, and the price is right. I like the idea that it can be upgraded to hydraulic later down the road, although I will probably just build my own setup.

Thanks again,

[astroracer]

I know this thread is a little old but I just ordered a bender from Pro Tools...
http://www.pro-tools.com/105.htm
I talked with Brian and he was very helpful. I was going to order just a die set and then build my own bender but the price of $275 for their 105 series bender swayed me to just order it and have it done with... I can't make the thing for that much.
The bender and one set of dies, shipped to my door in MI., was $472.00. I'll pick up a few additional die sets later but this will get me started.
I had borrowed a homebuilt bender modeled after a JD unit but the bender die was made wrong and wouldn't work.... Which I found out last Sunday while setting it up to do some test bends on the 1 1/4x.156 wal D.O.M. I am using for my control arms.... Oh well, I'll have my own now and I can scratch another "thing to do" off my list.