tubing bender recommendations????

**orphancars** · 05-19-2005

I saw Astroracer's post...........want to ask the folks if they have any good first hand experience/recommendations on a tube bender.

Found this on the pro-tools website: http://www.pro-tools.com/200.htm

Is this sufficient for bending tube for a chassis and rollcage? I'm trying to put the bulk of the cash into the car, but will buy decent tools that won't let me down.

All thoughts and help welcome!!

thanks in advance,

-jeff d
Fort Worth, TX
1986 Fiero GT/V8 (Done)
1973 TVR 5700M (A PT British car? Hell Yeah!)

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**astroracer** · 05-20-2005

Keep in mind you can get the 105 (with one die) for around $475. That's what I paid with shipping. The one you are looking at has no dies and is going to be quite a bit heavier (for shipping cost) with the hyd. cyl. and all...
I did get my 105 set up Monday night and I made a few pulls on some 1 1/4 x .156 wall tubing. It's tough (heavy wall) but it makes the bend.

I have to get my jig table anchored better though. I was moving it as the bend was getting tighter. I built two jig tables last year and clamping them together will solve that problem.
I am happy with my 105. It went together with no problems and, although I have yet to make any "real" bends, it seems to work just fine.
Mark

**orphancars** · 05-20-2005

Mark,

Thanks for the response...........

I'm actually considering both the 105 and the 200. I do like the built-in degree wheel of the 105, and the cost is attractive. The only negatives as I see it are:

- Has to be bolted down

- no built-in hydraulic (I can see where bending tubes here in Texas in the summer in 95+ degree heat won't be joyous. It'll require lots of water and beer for the bender {me} and then what will the bends look like

)

Don't get me wrong, the 200 is a little more spendy, has an optional bolt-on degree indicator, but is more portable and has a built-in hydraulic to do the bending.

One thing I'd like to know -- are the bend radii crimped or "shrunk" at all? Don't know a better way to describe this, but I have seen tubing where the radius is narrowed a bit as the tube is wrapped by the dies. Is the tube the same/original OD even in the bend area?

Decisions, decisions................................and thanks for your advice

-jeff d

**68protouring454** · 05-20-2005

the thicker wall tube will stay closer to the original od, but the thinner the metal, it will tend to make the outside of bend kinda flat, but this is normal until you hit the lottery and get a mandrel bender.
the hydraulic jack sounds good, but it will be slow, heavy etc, i would go for the 105, then do the basic intro air/over hydraulic pump, its more money but it is better, goodluck
jake

**astroracer** · 05-20-2005

I haven't seen any crush... The bending die shines the tube up right where the bend starts but I think this is mostly because of the heavy wall. It takes a good deal of effort on my part to do the bends.
If you are considering either of the benders I will make the suggestion to go with the full 240* dies. When I first placed my order I was going to get just the standard 120* die but after thinking about I changed my mind and ordered the big one. It only makes sense as I will not have to buy another die set if I want to do any 180's...

**orphancars** · 05-20-2005

Thanks Mark and Jake

Question for ya Mark -- how long did it take you to make your first bend? I'd be curious to see how long and difficult it is to bend 1 3/4 x 0.120 wall tube......does seem like the dies for the model 105 are cheaper...............wonder why.......................

And it seems like the cost of the two benders would be close, close enough that cost isn't much of an issue, but dies might be an issue, costwise.

One other question, Mark -- was the 240 degree die more expensive?

thanks!!

-jeff d

**C4Bird** · 05-21-2005

Jeff, I purchased the 105 a couple months back and it is a great bender. I also have a friend with the 200 and it is a great bender also. We actually use his more often as it is much more portable and requires very little set up (I have to bolt the 105 base to the floor when ever I need to use it, otherwise it is in pieces). Both make nearly the exact same bends, little flatting on the outside of the bend on 1 3/4 .120 electric weld, slight squeeze on the inside radius. DOM bends up nicer. I have yet to try .134, but from what I have seen of his (200), and what he says, it bends the .134 without any troubles. Hope this helps a little.
-Nate

**astroracer** · 05-22-2005

Jeff,
It doesn't take very long. Thinner wall tube goes pretty quick. The reason the dies for the 200 are more expensive is the long follow die.
Yes the 240* dies are more expensive but I can't see any reason to buy anything less. The bigger die is just more versatile and the total cost is much less then buying a smaller one up front then having to buy a 240 to make the bigger bends... That's the reasoning I used anyway...
Mark

**orphancars** · 05-22-2005

Hello Nate,

Thanks for the response

Good to hear from someone that has bought/used the 200. Still don't know which one I will choose. Cost-wise, they are close (HD 105 @ $683 vs. the 200 w/a 1 7/8 die at $730.............

Time to go check the bank account......................

**orphancars** · 05-22-2005

Mark,

I like your reasoning!

-jeff d

**fabcam** · 05-25-2005

A comparable bender to the Pro-Tools 105 is the JD2 model 3 bender. Both benders look the same, however, their tools are NOT interchangable. You can find detailed info and pricing at www.trick-tools.com http://vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm

Both of these benders are designed for tube bending, ie. a roll cage, bumpers, stingers etc...

I have hundreds of customers using either bender and in all cases people are very satisfied with them.

Cris
www.bend-tech.com/forum
www.2020ssi.com

**race-rodz-inc** · 06-17-2005

i actually made my bender by duplicating a jd square model 3, we have one at work, so i proceeded to disassemble it and copy all the parts. cost me about $20 in steel, and a couple lunch breaks. bolted to the floor with a 30'' lever, i bend 1 5/8 .134 with no problems at all. next step will be air over hyd conversion.... slowly scrounging up the parts. the only reason for hyd conversion is because i find myself getting lazy.... with every year that passes.

**nestockcar** · 07-12-2005

Another bender option for $500: http://www.lowbucktools.com/hydbender.html

**fabcam** · 07-12-2005

Originally Posted by nestockcar

Another bender option for $500: http://www.lowbucktools.com/hydbender.html

This bender will do a good job bending, however, keep in mind it will only bend up to a 90 degree bend.

nestockcar, good find!!!

**orphancars** · 07-12-2005

nestockcar -- thanks!!!!!

I'm going to have to _r e a l l y_ try to think of an instance where I might need to bend tubing past 90 degrees. Rollbar/cages are what I need this for, and right now I can't think of a case where I'll need bends larger than 90 degrees.

Need to go work harder, make more money

-jeff d

**astroracer** · 07-13-2005

Originally Posted by astroracer

Jeff,
It doesn't take very long. Thinner wall tube goes pretty quick. The reason the dies for the 200 are more expensive is the long follow die.
Yes the 240* dies are more expensive but I can't see any reason to buy anything less. The bigger die is just more versatile and the total cost is much less then buying a smaller one up front then having to buy a 240 to make the bigger bends... That's the reasoning I used anyway...
Mark

Jeff,
If you're going to buy a bender you may as well get the one that is the most versatile. There is really no sense in buying something that can only do "half" of the job when, for a few dollars more, you can have the tools to "git 'er done" if the need arises...
Just my two cents...
Mark

**Jimmy Sean** · 07-13-2005

This one seem to be a good deal ($750) though it only does 90* bends. Comes with four dies.

http://69.20.82.213/product.asp?3=113

**nestockcar** · 07-14-2005

Glad I could help. I spoke with a friend who has the Lowbuck bender (also has the beadroller and the brake). He confirmed it works quite well. Not as nice looking as the EZ-bend above (that does look like a good deal with 4 dies and a video!), but it's a tool. And yes it only does 90, but I've never had a reason to go more. I am seriously considering buying the tubing notcher from Lowbuck, I've heard it works as quickly as shearing a piece of sheet metal. I'll let all know if I get it.

**Jimmy Sean** · 07-14-2005

Here is a site with a home made bender. Just for refrence for the DIY type. Click on the tubing bender link on the left side of page.

http://www.blindchickenracing.com/Tools/tools.htm

**orphancars** · 07-14-2005

Thanks!

I've seen the blindchicken site before -- it's where I got the original "idea" that I need a tubing bender, that I should buy/make one instead of paying someone to make a cage for me........

Believe me -- if I had the spare metal around, I'd seriously consider making my own..........

Thanks to all of you for the ideas and links!!!!

-jeff d

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tubing bender recommendations????

Thanks!!!!!

Thanks mo67cam!