A good bender for minimal $$$?

[Grizzled]

I'm looking to do minimal bending. Want a hydralic if it can happen for cheap.

I'd like to ask those of you that have cheap benders what brand you got and how well it's worked out.

I hope that as with most things in life, there are the few models that give the most bang for the buck. Any particular brands I should steer clear from would also be appreciated.

I tried doing a search, but came up with posts about the SUPER benders which I can not afford. I'm just looking to fab up some undercarraige protection and perhaps bumpers...at least for a start.

Can it happen? What are good and bad models?

Thanks.

[Grizzled]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=104220&item=7517822865&rd=1

I see stuff like this and wonder...

[CLUSTER....]

I have a JD2 model 3 manual bender, it works great but you will get tired after awhile bending 1.75 tube. It can be converted to hydraulic later if you want.
http://www.vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm

[lmagee]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=104220&item=7517822865&rd=1

I see stuff like this and wonder...

search harbor freight bender on that one. that is a pipe bender, not tube

[Balsax]

Take a look at this thread (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=185940&page=1&pp=25&highlight=hydraulic+bender). There are quite a few examples of people modifying their JD2 or protools bender with hydraulics. I never bothered with the manual lever with my ProTools, I ordered the hydraulics the same time I got my bender (looks kinda like this) (http://www.hatleberg.com/donovan/Hydrobender/).

The cost of the bender was aroiund $300
1.75" die was around $200
Hydraulic ram was $50 (www.surpluscenter.com)
Hydraulic valve $50
Pump was extra enerpac pump from my work.

[FrontCC]

are there any advantages over the JD and protools models - they look almost exactly the same but i think the JD is slightly less expensive.