Pipe bender questions

[sha_ba_do_bang]

Before it starts, i'll say that i have a protools hyrdo bender

And i'm not going to ask if i can make a roll cage for my jeep with this harbor freight bender
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=35336

But i just got a new job where i need to bend some 2.5" sch 40 aluminum pipe. Basically just some mild (~20 degree) bend to form a gradual radius 28' long

They don't make 2.5 pipe dies for the protools bender, you think the harbor freight kinker will do it? I've never even seen one in person

[guidolyons]

How smooth does it have to be? I used a HF kinker years ago to make a bumper, it worked, ok, but left dents from the rollers, and that was with SCH 40 steel, not aluminum. You can make some spacers to help prevent the dents.

A 20* bend over 28' with a gradual radius? Like a ring roller? No. One 20* bend in the center with 14' on each side, maybe. Four 5* bends with 7 feet in between each bend? Maybe.

[fabcam]

Does the HF have dies that big?

[TheBandit]

Does the HF have dies that big?

Apparently yes, up to 3". I think for aluminum it might work okay.

[Metalbender69]

That was the bender that I learned to bend pipe on:) If you take a shop rag and fold it so it is the same width as the roller, wrap it around the rollers, and then wrap duct tape around it to hold the rag on, it will prevent the rollers from denting the pipe, at least on schedule 40, I think it would work for aluminum also. Do a search for harbor freight coupons on here and you should find one for 20% off if you decide to buy one of those benders. Will save you about $15.00:smokin: Good Luck