Pipe Benders?

Chads09Sierra · March 7, 2011

hey can any of you custom fabricators out there point me in the right direction on pipe benders? i dont need/ cant afford top of the line. I just want to use it to make roll cages, tube bumpers etc. just curious as to what some of you use. i see those ones in harbor freight for 100 - 200 bucks, but i was told that they are used more for exhaust tubing and not actually mild steel pipe.

thanks

chad

jwhuber · March 7, 2011

Here's one I've used before, the Model 4 that's hydraulic. There's also the Model 3 that can be used by hand, or you can purchase a hydraulic attachment for ease of use. I thought it was put together really well and bent chrome-moly with ease. The best part is that it's made in the USA! That's what I would use, just depends on exactly how much you want to spend and how much you'll use it.

jwhuber · March 7, 2011

Here's one I've used before, the Model 4 that's hydraulic. There's also the Model 3 that can be used by hand, or you can purchase a hydraulic attachment for ease of use. I thought it was put together really well and bent chrome-moly with ease. The best part is that it's made in the USA! That's what I would use, just depends on exactly how much you want to spend and how much you'll use it. Good luck.

http://www.medfordtools.com/metalfab.html

Sorry for the double post....

Nytemare · March 7, 2011

Air over hydro will be cheapest...itjust plugs into your compressor and the air moves the hydraulic piston.

The one they use on Extream 4X4 is an air-over-hydro unit.

This one

http://www.tubeshark.com/product_a.htm

If you need it for your self...it may be a little on the pricey side though...

My buddy has this exact bender in his shop...he got it slightly used though....at auction. But he makes cages and bumpers with it.

If your patient, or can afford to be, deals like that come along.

TRCM · March 8, 2011

If you are going to use it for roll cages, you DO NOT want a pipe bender, you want a tubing bender. They are not the same thing.

A pipe bender is made/sized for pipe, and a tubing bender is made/sized for tubing like you use in a real roll cage.

Pipe for a roll cage is not a good idea by the way.

You say you can't afford top of the line...how much is your life worth ?

This is what I have, but I have converted it to full hydraulic, and have built a custom stand for it.

http://www.tmrcustoms.com/store/index.php?...products_id=146

Chads09Sierra · March 8, 2011

well some of the tubing benders i looked at were 4000 bucks and up. way too much for me. especially since it will only be used for me fabricating rock sliders, tube bumpers, roll bars for the bed of the truck, stuff like that. maybe my buddies would want something built for them, but idk.

but if it came down to costing 4k or more, i would just pass on that idea and purchase my bumpers and etc. but that link you posted seemed like a good price. i have no problem spending 1000 bucks on a bender, its just when u get up around 4k, i have much better stuff to spend my money on lol.

thanks for info, i knew there was a difference between pipe and tube benders, i just wanted to make sure which was which, that way i didnt buy a cheapo one for 150 bucks and wonder why its not bending my steel

TRCM · March 8, 2011

I've got about 900-1000 in mine, with the bender, ram, stand, and hydraulic pump. I made mine with a 12v hydraulic pump from a liftgate. That way I can use it anywhere, 110V or not.

If you are serious about this, I highly recommend you buy the bend tech pro software. It lets you design your cage or whatever in 3d, then it tells you where to bend, and how much material you will need. It is ~ 300 or so bucks.

http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/prod04.htm

Chads09Sierra · March 8, 2011

that software looks pretty cool, i look at it like this, if im going to spend 500 bucks or so on a set of N-fab nerfs, i might as well buy a tool for double that and make my own. cause i know im going to want a set for the next truck i buy.

my grand father always said, if you have to borrow a tool twice, you might as well have bought it.

TRCM · March 9, 2011

that software looks pretty cool, i look at it like this, if im going to spend 500 bucks or so on a set of N-fab nerfs, i might as well buy a tool for double that and make my own. cause i know im going to want a set for the next truck i buy.

my grand father always said, if you have to borrow a tool twice, you might as well have bought it.

That was exactly part of my reasoning, but I still bought the bars.......