http://www.speedwaymotors.com/eCCStoreFront/smi/product_images/medium/91084100.jpg



http://www.speedwaymotors.com/product.asp?strBase%5FList=&hilt=&source=2191&base%5Fno=91084100&str%5Fbase%5Fno=0000%2DCATALOG%2C3007500%2C9105642 1%2C91073055%2C91084100%2C91085171%2C91673060%2C91 673070%2C91689400%2C&header%5Ftitle=Race+Products%2DCage+Kits&page%5Fname=prod%5Flist%5Fdisplay%2Easp&search%5Ftype=L2%7E20&search%5Foption=&deptsearch=&dept%5Fid=L2%7E20&dept%5Fid%5Fp=&dept%5Fname=&dept%5Fname%5Fp=Race+Products&size1=&size2=&gender=&ShowImages=yes&sq=0&cont=1&intPgNo=1&mscssid=PNAXWA8NPRKA8MXACPPGU5J6VXTJ27C2

and no, :flipoff2:, i didnt search first, Fawkers. is this worth it for the guy whos just working on his own rig? $439 includes bender AND 1.75" die.

"Bends round tubing up to .134 wall"


Seems kind of whimpy?

Chris,
That looks like the same bender that's made by Low Buck Tools. Check out their site, got some pretty good tools.
www.lowbucktools.com
I'll recommend the JD2, Model 3. I've got one and really like it.
Mike
:usa:

Chris,
After I submitted the previous post I remembered this site for a homebuilt bender. It's the same basic style as the one you have pictured. If you're talented enough to use a bender you should be able to build this one and save a few bucks. It looks like it uses the same dies as the one in the photo.

http://www.blindchickenracing.com/tools/Tube%20Bender/Tubingbender.htm

Mike
:usa:

i have been on a ride with this bender,, i wouldnt recommend it for anything other than very simple stuff, and bends less than say 80 degrees....i borrowed the bender from a friend of a friend,,not no much about 4130 vs mild steel,, i got ahold of some 1 3/4 .120 wall 4130. brought it home and chucked it in the bender,,(i did read the directions it said only that u should use at least .90 wall tubing, nothing about mild steel or 4130) started pumping on the jack and boom DIE BLOWS THE FAWK UP...
Yikes so i call lowbuck or ####BUCKtools,, tell them the story about what happened.. 275$ later or whatever a die set cost.. the guy was like,," well that a pretty stout tube u where trying to bend"..i told him well u say in your instruction that your bender wont bend 4130 because it is lame and lowbuck
The second time around with some 1 3/4 .120 wall mild steel it seems to work better,, no dies being blown up,, but things get kinda strained once u try to bend exact 90 degrees.. It is also very difficult to insert and remove the tubing from the bender,,my advice is to spend the extra dollars on the mtech or j2 or similar benders, i have not used these but seems to me they are much better than this one is.. it is only one step above apipe bender junk..:mad:

My buddy has the low buck tools bender, and I have to say that it is a PITA to use. Looks like the photo of the one you are considering. The biggest problem is no degree wheel, making it nearly impossible to make consistant bends from one to the next. We have a model 3 bender at my work, but so far we are only bending small tubing for boat hand rails. It is much simpler to use from what I have seen.

Just look at what most shops use, and you will want at least a model 3 bender.

Just my $.02!:D

Originally posted by ChrisPy
$439 includes bender AND 1.75" die.

Lemme see....

$435 includes JD2 model 3 and a 1.75" 5.5CLR 180 degree die. For something that bends thicker tubing and can bend beyond 90 degrees. I dont see a cost savings benefit

Originally posted by nevadayj
My buddy has the low buck tools bender, and I have to say that it is a PITA to use. Looks like the photo of the one you are considering. The biggest problem is no degree wheel, making it nearly impossible to make consistant bends from one to the next. We have a model 3 bender at my work, but so far we are only bending small tubing for boat hand rails. It is much simpler to use from what I have seen.

Just look at what most shops use, and you will want at least a model 3 bender.

Just my $.02!:D

hey doug!! Wanna test out your bender on a roll cage?? ;)

Chris,

The guy that went with Jake, John E. and me to the Con after labor Day is the one who has the bender. He loves to fab up cages, etc. In fact, he was trying to get John E to put a cage in his YJ! Pat Hines has all the tools for fab work-Plasma cutter, bender, tig welder, mig welders, etc.

Call me or PM me and I put you in touch with Pat.

Doug

your right about the JD2.

for some reason i thought that unit was 435+ die... i guess theres no reason not to do the JD2..

http://www.jd2.com/M3B.htm

To piggyback on this post I have a question about dies. If I were to purchase a JD2 which single die would be the best to have right off the bat for cages etc. I was thinking either 2" ot 1 3/4". I plan on using DOM for the primary parts of the cage. Does anyone know the OD of 2" sch 40 PIPE? I plan on using this for non-critical parts.

Thanks.

Pipe ............. is it really worth it?? I have never ever seen a piece of sched 40 pipe that is clean and smooth enough that I would consider it for use as short braces etc. Its usually all scaly etc on the outside. I would waste more time than the cost savings on cleaning it to accept paint.

Pipe is measured by ID , but the OD of sched 40 pipe is about 1/4" over the ID and sched 80 is about 1/2" over the ID.

Good point. Thanks for the info.

BTW, is there any one near Philly that would like some tube work done? I am looking into buying a JD2 and would like to recoup some of the cash to purchase.