Which size die is better for all around use (cages, bumpers, etc)? A 6.5 or 7.5" radius? This is for 1.75" tubing. I was thinking 6.5 because it would seem to fit into smaller places better but I don't know if I am missing something.

Thanks,
SD

6.5, I make cages, bumpers, nurfs all that junk with it. 7.5 would be huge.

Thanks Toy...just checking...

The larger one will most often be able to bend a thinner wall tubing. For most of us that isn't a selling point.

Originally posted by ToyFamily:
<STRONG>6.5, I make cages, bumpers, nurfs all that junk with it. 7.5 would be huge.</STRONG>

How about a 5.5 radius? That's what I've been eyeballing.. I was thinking the smoother bends might help if I were going for a more "beautiful" cage with prettier arcs.. or if I needed to use thinner tubing.

But I can't make anything look pretty, so why start now.


I'll probably be ordering up a JD2 by the end of the year.

Just bought a 10Ton Porta-power unit in preparation. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Originally posted by tsm1mt:
<STRONG>
I'll probably be ordering up a JD2 by the end of the year.
</STRONG>

What bender are you using now?

Joe

What kind of $$ are you looking at to get setup with a tube bender for your shop? Just curious what you guys got and for how much if ya don't mind me asking.

Here is what I have been using for about 4.5yrs now and it works great! (JD2 #3)

1.0" = 3 1/2"
1.5" = 4 1/2"
1.75 = 5 1/2"
2.0" = 6 1/2"

And with these wou can use different size tubing in the same cage and every thing seems to flow nicer! Just my $0.02
<IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/beer.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/usa.gif" border="0">

I just ordered one, JD2 Model 3 with a 1.75" 5.5" die. $523.99 is the price quoted. Ordered a week and a half ago and still waiting on a tracking number. Hopefully I will be getting a phone call in the next couple of days.

It took me 8 weeks to get my jd2, I ws on back order for 5.
by the way this is what the 6.5 radius looks like with 1.75 tubing
<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/rockmerollbar01.jpg">

<IMG width=640 height=480 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/rockmerollbar03.jpg">

<IMG width=480 height=640 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/rockmerollbar07.jpg">

It took me 8 weeks to get my jd2, I ws on back order for 5.

took almost 5 weeks to get mine, order it a long time before you need it.

I got the 1.75 and 1 1/4 180 degree dies. I also bought the tubing notcher. The notcher is worth the extra bucks.

Originally posted by MdntRdr:
<STRONG>I just ordered one, JD2 Model 3 with a 1.75" 5.5" die. $523.99 is the price quoted. Ordered a week and a half ago and still waiting on a tracking number. Hopefully I will be getting a phone call in the next couple of days.</STRONG>

Just the plain Model 3 and die + s/h? Or with a degree wheel? or the hydro kit? or..?

I'm thinking hydraulic Model 3 ($275 per the sit) and the 1.75/5.5 die at $205 or whatever.. which should make it just over $500 w/ s/h, right?

Originally posted by jdjanda:
<STRONG>What bender are you using now?

Joe</STRONG>

No bender now. <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> Why do you think there are so many compromises in my current 'cage? I inherited a 6pt *PIPE* 'cage to start with, and added a bunch of straight pieces to strengthen it up and make it more suitable to my tastes..

But I'm going fast enough and hard enough now (and I'm not changing motors after each weekend..) that I'd feel a lot better with a better (tubing) cage.

Helps that it'll be lighter (= faster) with real tubing, too.

-Tom
We Race Farm Equipment

The best rule of thumb is to use a die with 3 times your radius. 1.75" would be a radius of 5.25" This will help to stop the tubing from streching when bending.

Randy

[QUOTE]Originally posted by tsm1mt:
[QB]Just the plain Model 3 and die + s/h? Or with a degree wheel? or the hydro kit? or..?

With degree wheel and die and s&h. No hydro kit. I ordered through M-Tech. Still waiting on the call with the tracking number and it will be two weeks tomorrow since I placed the order.