Has anyone had any problems with the ratchet handle on his/her Model 3 bender? Just bought my Model 3 and started to bend some 1.75 tubing. Each time I bend it and then pull the handle back and attempt to put it on the next notch, the length of travel is too short and it won't reach the next notch. Instead, it hits the top of the notch. Anyone seen this before... am I missing something stupid? It happens mostly on every notch and sometimes placing a towel inside a notch gives enough travel for me to push it with considerable force into the next notch.

Thanx.

-josh

You might have something together wrong. On a full pull I can almost get 2 notches. I am bending 1.75 .120 wall and it kicks back enough I just can't get the second notch. Here a few example pics to help out. Blue tape is for a mark, first pic handle fully back, full pull. Second pic is the handle all the way back ready for the next pull. It shows I can almost get 2 notches. Hope that helps.

http://www.pirate4x4.net/mstevens/uploads/bender1.jpg

http://www.pirate4x4.net/mstevens/uploads/bender2.jpg

what about the degree ring have you had good luck with it or is it off every time.i went air over hyd. on my bender lots of 1.3/4 .120 dom was a bitch with the ratchet .:D

I got a degree ring free with mine but never used it. I did everything Rob laid out here: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html and as long as I measure correctly it all comes out great! :D The thing he called the "angle o meter" is the best tool. I used it on every bend. I'm no expert but almost all the bends came out like I wanted. Big thanks goes out to Rob. I would have never got the bender without that writeup. I'm almost done with the second exo cage and have 2 more to go. I'm only 185 pounds and not a big strong guy and bending is no problem. I have a 4 foot handle from here: http://www.vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm

Originally posted by MattS
I got a degree ring free with mine but never used it. I did everything Rob laid out here: http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html and as long as I measure correctly it all comes out great! :D The thing he called the "angle o meter" is the best tool. I used it on every bend. I'm no expert but almost all the bends came out like I wanted. Big thanks goes out to Rob. I would have never got the bender without that writeup. I'm almost done with the second exo cage and have 2 more to go. I'm only 185 pounds and not a big strong guy and bending is no problem. I have a 4 foot handle from here: http://www.vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm o shit you mean there was suposed to be a handle no wonder it was hard:D i'm 260 and its all ass ya.:flipoff2:

my JD2 does the same thing junger- I wonder if it just needs to be broken in. I started bending a 2" cage and the ratchet handle was too difficult to get accurate angles with so I bought a cheap porta power and made a mount for it - works great. Takes more time but I waste a lot less tube.

are you maybe useing some odd tubing that has alot of spring back. or maybee you are not pulling the handle as far around as it can go. also check the little short handle that the big handle goes over, maybee you have it in upside down. thats all i could think of.

I would bet you two just need to break them in. The part the handle goes on, the piece that is split and actually puts the leverage on the bend. It is supposed to go over the ratcheting bar (the piece with all the slots) but its not bent quite rite and it hits. What you have to do is gradually force (by pulling bends) it over the ratcheting bar more and more till you get what you want. It makes a nice shiney spot where the metal rubs.

Depdog

Still having the problem but I'm going to call up jd2 or drive down to their shop (i live about 30 minutes away) and talk with them. My ratchet part is getting pretty shiney and I've pulled it hard enough to break the two welds where the two plates come together. I might of had it upside down.... I'm at school now but I'll try this next weekend.

Thanx for the help.

-josh

You just need to go hydro.

hydraulic power units are $$$$... do you remember how much it cost you to go hydraulic?

I had the same problem for about a year, and then i figured out that i had the handle on the wrong way. I will guarantee that you have done the same thing. Because after i put it on the correct way, i was able to almost skip ahead two like posted above. The weld splitting and everything you describe is the same. If you want some detailed pictures, I will take them and post or send them to you. You are going to slap yourself when you realize what you did, I let it go a whole year using a breaker bar to get to the next tooth before it dawned on me.

Hey,

I plan on getting a bender and I am debating whether to throw down for a hydraulic setup.

With the manual bar about how long does it take to bend some 2" .120 wall to 90 degrees?

Is it a real beeotch or what?

??:confused:

You can tighten the tube up against the strap with it...

Originally posted by pmaddy
Hey,

I plan on getting a bender and I am debating whether to throw down for a hydraulic setup.

With the manual bar about how long does it take to bend some 2" .120 wall to 90 degrees?

Is it a real beeotch or what?

No its not a real bitch. doesnt take real long either, slower than hydraulic though ;)

Damn, it was the handle.

The incorrect way to assemble the handle:
http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~junger/incorrect.jpg

And, the correct way to assemble the handle:
http://www.cise.ufl.edu/~junger/correct.jpg

Thanx for the help.

-josh

I did the exact same thing when I assembled mine... but I was able to figure it out. :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Originally posted by mike
You can tighten the tube up against the strap with it...

Make's sence now thanks...I'm retarded:D