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Tube bender

10K views 42 replies 17 participants last post by  jeepinty 
#1 ·
I'd kinda like to get a cheap tube bender so that I can get super pissed and ruin a bunch of tube/pipe but would like to hear opinions from others. I like the price of the pro tools 105heavy and the JD model32. Both are $400 and look nice but looking nice and working might be two different things. It will mainly be used for 1.75" hrew or 1 5/8 pipe and maybe some 1". If I have to do something real serious I'll seek out a professional. lol

Anyone have one of these and can weigh in? Maybe a model I didn't list that's equal in size/capacity that would be a good choice? Post up! Thanks!
 
#4 ·
I saw the model 3 and wasn't sure if it was too light weight. If you're happy with it then I can throw it on the list. :toast:
 
#5 ·
I have the Jd2. I've since moved it to the vertical position. It works extremely well, however I do have a couple complaints.

1. It seems loose, and hard to keep your material level when making multiple bends.

2. It is very hard to see your initial bend mark once its in the bender.

Would I buy one again? Probably so......

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#25 ·
I have the Jd2. I've since moved it to the vertical position. It works extremely well, however I do have a couple complaints.

1. It seems loose, and hard to keep your material level when making multiple bends.

2. It is very hard to see your initial bend mark once its in the bender.

Would I buy one again? Probably so......

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I have the pro-tools 105 and love it. I have the same complaints on it as rebelrider does his JD2. I could easily get the slop out but it hasn't really been a problem just a little annoying at times. Otherwise I have been very happy with it. It has done a couple full chassis and 3 or 4 cages.
 
#6 ·
I am. iirc, the only difference in the 32 is it will bend larger tube, so its a little more heavy duty. I have no plans for anything larger than 1.75. The 3 is no light weight though, def up to the task.
 
#8 ·
That's all I'm lookin to bend is 1.75 dom. If it will do that no problem then I'm good.


Rebelrider Big4x4ride, what jd2 do you have? Model 32 or model 3?
 
#30 ·
I have an older JD2 in my shop I am thinking about sticking on an old engine stand I have lying around. Got any pics of how you did it?

^^^ A small group of TRC guys would strongly disagree with you. Lol
Dustin got verbally beat up like a little girl for tryin to sell my chassis knowing it was HREW. It was said that all the welds would crack, that it can't handle a roll over, that HREW is like building a chassis with cookie dough. It was called poop pipe and diarrhea transport system. Lol funny
I love it when people who have zero real world experience with something are suddenly experts when they get behind a keyboard. Link to the thread? I love trolling strpot

I've also used a hydraulic JD2 to backhalf my last TJ, no plans, software or any real skill or knowledge as to what we were doing. Came out pretty good in my book and did waste a single piece. Suppose we were a bit lucky.

I would suggest an air/hydraulic kit or something similar on a rolling stand so you aren't forced to mount it stationary somewhere.
 
#14 ·
There is a Model 3 for sale in Austin.TX with 2 dies 1.25" and 1.75" both 180* dies, for $850..and he says he has a notcher and bendtech to sell also...thats alot cheaper than what I paid and you could eventuaslly add in the 1.5" die and you could do a whole bunch of different projects.
 
#19 ·
Haha! I feel ya! I know once I get it I'll be ruining LOTS of tube. I can see lots of stuff being thrown in my future followed by strong language.
 
#24 ·
Thems purdy. I use a harbor freight kinker for all of my pipe kinking needs. You need to sleeve the rollers to not cause dimples, but other than that it works great. The dies are for HREW(poop pipe if you will). Up side is that 1.25 sch40 is the same as 1.625 DOM on the od so you are golden there. For $79.99 you cant beat it....or in my case a 30 pack of Bud on trade.:toast:

I'd like to have a good bender and if I ever get serious and do an entire chassis I will get one. But for small stuff here and there the harbor frieght job works. Between my brother and I we have probably done 50-60 bends and no dead nuns yet.
 
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#27 ·
^^^ A small group of TRC guys would strongly disagree with you. Lol
Dustin got verbally beat up like a little girl for tryin to sell my chassis knowing it was HREW. It was said that all the welds would crack, that it can't handle a roll over, that HREW is like building a chassis with cookie dough. It was called poop pipe and diarrhea transport system. Lol funny
 
#28 ·
Bought the pro105 HD. I like the degree wheel a whole lot better then Rastus tube bender.
I think he has the model 32. about the 32 and it may just me..or not properly set up. If you bump the degree wheel your fawked. on the Pro105 The degree wheel can never moved as its bolts down between the stand and the bender.

My vote is the 105.
 
#31 ·
I was thinking about a hydro kit for it but honestly after watching some video on them I don't think I'll get it. I'll probably just bolt it in the middle of the driveway when needed which probably won't be that often. I just feel like I depend on others too much for fab work when a lot of this little stuff I could and should do myself at home.
 
#33 ·
IMO, hydro isn't needed. I used some red heads and mounted mine on the side walk just outside my garage and store it in the corner when not in use. Although, after I build a shop I plan to mount it permanently.

With your back, you might think about hydro though.
 
#34 ·
I agree, not needed, I just want to be able to mount mine on a rolling stand and be able to use it wherever. Also a lot easier to bend vertically like that. You can buy the HF ram and Swag bracket for around $140 total and never have to pull on a bar again.

Again, just how I am going to do it. Not everyone's preference.

I have also seen someone build a bracket to fit it in their trucks receiver hitch. Seems like a cool, easy way to do it.
 
#35 ·
I have a JD2 Model 3 and am very happy with it, no complaints. I highly recommend adding a HF ram. I used a Rocktactics.com adapter. Not sure if theyre on the website yet. I dont break a sweat bending and its easier to be precise and repeat bends. I have bent 1.75 x .120 wall dom and hrew. Our first cage was dom on the outside and main bent bars and hrew on the straight inside supports. I also got a Baileigh notcher $195. I got a tubemaster tool that makes complicated notching easy. I used the free JD2 bending software. It works good once you get used to it. Save work often because it crashes.
 
#38 ·
M4H01020.mp4 Video by cybrfire | Photobucket

Not a terrible difficult thing to build.



Sure is fun to use now. Still would like to find a better way to keep multiple bends on plane.

I agree with what you guys are saying on the looseness.
 
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