I have decided to go with the JD2 bender from Trick tools, but I am still wavering on the Die. I am trying to decide between the 1 3/4 5.5 CLR die and the 1 3/4 6.5 CLR die. The guys at trick tools said the larger radius would be easier to work with, but everyone seem's to be buying the 5.5 CLR dies. Any opinions? I will be using it for roll cages mainly.

I have the same question, as I am going through some problems w/ the smaller radius die I bought for my 1" tubing and I want to make sure to get the right one the first time when I buy the 1.75 die soon. You can find some CLR discussion that May help HERE (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326809).

I would like to hear from someone who has the 5.5 CLR die to know if they had good luck with it. I would prefer the 5.5 die as it would allow tighter bends for a cleaner look to the roll cage. I do not, however, want to sacrifice smooth bends to get a tighter radius.

Anyone?

My 5.5 die works great and barely dents the tube. I am not aware of anyone having problems when using that die for .120 wall tube. Thinner tube may crush more. I went with the smaller radius die also because I wanted the tighter bends.

Hey Zach,

I've seen your work here and on other boards, I wouldn't consider you a novice.

Would you think this die would work for a beginning fabricator?
Or would you err to the side of caution and go with the larger die to keep the complications down? I'm ordering a bender too and second guessing myself.

Appreciate the feedback,

I use the 1.75" x 5.5" die. No problems at all with .120" wall tubing. The CLR of the steel tube after springback is about 6.375" using the 5.5" die. That is another thing you should be aware of. The 5.5" is the radius of the die, which is not the same thing as the radius of the finished part after springback. The same would be true for the 6.5", the actual CLR of the part would probably be somewhere around 7.25"-7.5". Frankly I think the 5.5" die is a little too fat, but without ponying up big $$$ for a mandrel bender it is the best you can do.

I also have the 1.75 5.5, tighter is better IMOP

Hey Zach,

I've seen your work here and on other boards, I wouldn't consider you a novice.

Would you think this die would work for a beginning fabricator?
Or would you err to the side of caution and go with the larger die to keep the complications down? I'm ordering a bender too and second guessing myself.

Appreciate the feedback,

I really do not see the need for the larger radius dies, unless you are doing something that is speced to have a large radius. I think most people on here and every other forum that builds stuff for our hobby use the tightest die they can. The nice thing about a tight radius is that if you need a 180, for example, where a larger radius die would work you can alway leave a little flat in there and bend again, but you can never get a tighter radius with a larger die.

My 5.5 die works great and barely dents the tube. I am not aware of anyone having problems when using that die for .120 wall tube. Thinner tube may crush more. I went with the smaller radius die also because I wanted the tighter bends.

Well said Zach. For what you guys are doing the smaller radius should be fine.

As it turned out, jjmat3 was finding his problems were because he didn't have his follower die tight enough.

By the way Zach, how are you doing? I don't remember getting a call from you to help you out with a die calibration you were having a problem with.
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i have a 1.75 5.5 and like the tighter bends myself. i have used it on .095 wall for seat mounts without any kinking.