Tube benders

yodathespian87 · 06-03-2009, 08:28 AM

I wasn't sure to put this under tools of Fab. section but here is my question. I heard that harbor freight tube benders are terrible and actually damage the wall of the tube. Is this true? Planning on bending some DOM tube and I'm looking at benders. Prices go easily over a grand. Harbor freight has one for much cheaper. I know pipe benders won't work for this. But if its called a tube bender then I would think it should work. Would love your guys imput. Thanks

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malteserunner · 06-03-2009, 08:35 AM

We just ordered a JD2 bender for the shop. We tried a Harbor Freight bender, and with some patience, it will work, but it's not practical if you are going to do a lot of bending. Plan on ruining some tube while trying to figure it out. If you have the money, I suggest getting a nice bender, then when you are done using it, you should be able to sell it for a good portion of what you paid for it. Good luck. We paid around $800 shipped for our JD2.

yodathespian87 · 06-03-2009, 10:51 AM

Where did you order the JD2? Thanks for the info.

scuba · 06-03-2009, 10:53 AM

Pipe benders are for just that, PIPE.
Dont waste your money on a tube bender to bend PIPE.

fillsrunner4 · 06-03-2009, 10:55 AM

Just search JD2 on froogle or the web and youll find a million deals on them all about the same price. the dies are whats really expensive.

The JD2 itself if only like 295 right now I believe but youll need more

Ill be buying one soon if I dont go with a bit more expensive unit. Just have to decide what one I want but I know these are very popular and really nice benders

**waskillywabbit** · 06-03-2009, 11:03 AM

Pipe and tube are not the same. Easily researchable and covered.

Buy from tricktools.com

JD2 and a couple dies will run you $1K easily but worth it if you use it

Get hydaulic if you got the cash as pulling the handle gets old.

yodathespian87 · 06-03-2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba

Pipe benders are for just that, PIPE.
Dont waste your money on a tube bender to bend PIPE.

Yeah I'm not bending pipe for a truck, I'm planning on DOM tubing... Don't know where pipe came in.

scuba · 06-03-2009, 11:13 AM

Yeah I read your first post again saying "I know pipe benders WONT work" I thought you said something asking if they would..

my bad.

yodathespian87 · 06-03-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fillsrunner4

Just search JD2 on froogle or the web and youll find a million deals on them all about the same price. the dies are whats really expensive.

The JD2 itself if only like 295 right now I believe but youll need more

Ill be buying one soon if I dont go with a bit more expensive unit. Just have to decide what one I want but I know these are very popular and really nice benders

Quote:

Originally Posted by waskillywabbit

Pipe and tube are not the same. Easily researchable and covered.

Buy from tricktools.com

JD2 and a couple dies will run you $1K easily but worth it if you use it

Get hydaulic if you got the cash as pulling the handle gets old.

Thanks guys I have also been check CL for some deals as then that cuts down on my price as well. Wabbit thanks for the bit about hydrolic. I could see that bending tube without hydrolic could play a number on the hands. I will check google, and keep checking CL. What brands are you guys using? and how do you like its performance?

malteserunner · 06-03-2009, 11:43 AM

We ordered the model 32 from JD2.com with 1 set of dies for about $800.

yodathespian87 · 06-03-2009, 01:08 PM

Thats pretty good. I was just going to ask about dies. What are the most common? If I'm getting 2" DOM tube then I would want a 2" die right. There isn't some wierd formula for it is there?

yodathespian87 · 06-03-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba

Yeah I read your first post again saying "I know pipe benders WONT work" I thought you said something asking if they would..

my bad.

No problem dude... You just kinda confused me. I thought I had put tube and didn't want to mislead anyone. Thanks for your guys help on this. If I am going to this at all I want to do it right. And using the right tool for the job makes the biggest difference.

malteserunner · 06-03-2009, 02:55 PM

Yep 2" dies for 2" tube. The model we purchased will bend up to 2", 0.25" wall tubing. Good luck.

tc · 06-03-2009, 04:32 PM

I'm certainly no production fab shop, but unless you bend A LOT of tubing, I would save the money on hydraulic/pneumatic/air over/etc and get another set of dies. I have used the JD2 a couple of times, and the leverage it has is plenty. The time I needed to bend 2"x0.25" wall, everyone around who had converted theirs to hydraulic said it didn't have enough oomph to do that heavy a tube. With manual, you just put a bigger cheater bar on.

Yes, for 2", you buy a 2" die. Same die will bend all wall thicknesses for that OD. You need the EXACT die for the size tubing you're doing. For example, you can't bend 1-3/8" using a 1-1/2" die.

I saw one in the Summit Racing tools catalog that looked reasonably priced and came with 3 sets of dies.

yodathespian87 · 06-03-2009, 05:26 PM

Thanks TC that is most helpful. I'm only bending enough DOM for 2 4Runners. And not all at once. Cage, sliders, stinger for bumper, you get my drift. See as we are talking about Tube benders, what are you guys using to fish mouth your tube? Are you guys cutting in with a grinder at 90 degrees, a lathe, a drill press?

tc · 06-03-2009, 07:15 PM

Tube notcher ... JD2 also

I'm using the Rigid bimetal holesaw blades and they seem to be holding up well. Just remember, the larger the diameter hole saw, the lower RPM you need (you want the same linear speed for the teeth) and some lubrication is good too.

malteserunner · 06-04-2009, 08:21 AM

I'm using a Hypertherm Powermax 600 plasma cutter I picked up used off craigslist for $500.

yodathespian87 · 06-04-2009, 08:22 AM

Good to know. Yeah tapping oil always helps. And yes to make sure It's all cleaned off. before welding. A plasma cutter? That sounds pretty serious. Do you get good clean cuts?

yodathespian87 · 06-04-2009, 08:27 AM

4rnr · 06-06-2009, 06:11 PM

$90 to get a pneumatic over hydraulic cherry picker ram. then just fab up a braket into the nice portable cart you can now mke

Oh and another vote a JD2 model 3 Thats what I have always used. the most common dies for me are a 1.5x5.5 and a 1.75x5.5

NCFJ · 06-30-2009, 05:38 PM

I build bumpers for the FJC. I use the JD2 with an air over hydro cylinder. $100.00 for the ram and $ 89.00 for the mount kit from Copperhead Farbrication.

I've used this thing manually a great deal and can tell you that going to the air over Hydro makes a HUGE difference. I bend multiple bumpers at a time with this set up and it goes all day long. I also use the tube notcher pictured in post #19.

Trust me, if you bend up a couple rigs worth of cages, sliders and bumpers you are going to have people coming to you to get stuff bent. It'll pay that bender off in a heart beat.

06-03-2009, 08:35 AM	#2 (permalink)
malteserunner Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ca Posts: 520	We just ordered a JD2 bender for the shop. We tried a Harbor Freight bender, and with some patience, it will work, but it's not practical if you are going to do a lot of bending. Plan on ruining some tube while trying to figure it out. If you have the money, I suggest getting a nice bender, then when you are done using it, you should be able to sell it for a good portion of what you paid for it. Good luck. We paid around $800 shipped for our JD2. __________________ 87 4Runner, 22re, 5 spd, 4.88, ARB rear, Mile Marker PE8000, Downey Header, TG Sliders, 3" BL, Home Fab Front and Rear Bumper, WabFab Bikini Top, Rustoleum OD Green. Build Thread 98 Tacoma Prerunner, 2.7, 340k. 91 4Runner, V6. 5 speed, Pro Comp lift, 33's, Rock Crawlers. Sold. Parting Out- 97 T-100

06-03-2009, 10:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
yodathespian87 Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 464	Where did you order the JD2? Thanks for the info. __________________ 86 Pickup 4x2, Manual (Sold) 87 Extra Cab Pickup 4x4, Manual (Sold) 93 4Runner 4x4, Manual, 3.4 Swap In progress 90 4Runner 4x4, Manual, Blown 3.0 (Stripping out for parts then to become a trail rig/camping/fun truck) 94 Lexus SC400, 1UZ, magnaflow exhaust, after market headlights, bought for parts for the swap into the 90 4Runner

06-03-2009, 10:53 AM	#4 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Pipe benders are for just that, PIPE. Dont waste your money on a tube bender to bend PIPE. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

06-03-2009, 10:55 AM	#5 (permalink)
fillsrunner4 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Sammamish, wa Posts: 2,724	Just search JD2 on froogle or the web and youll find a million deals on them all about the same price. the dies are whats really expensive. The JD2 itself if only like 295 right now I believe but youll need more Ill be buying one soon if I dont go with a bit more expensive unit. Just have to decide what one I want but I know these are very popular and really nice benders __________________ 94' toyota 4runner (Many a change!) purchased bone stock, NOW... SAS, 39" Iroks, Rear Leafswap, 5.29's , Air locked front, Welded rear, Chevy 4.3L V6, 5spd swap, dual T/C's MC10R10, flatbelly with custom skids, sliders, Chopped, Bobbed and so much more. Might as well start reading this if ya want know more Fillsrunner4 3.4crawler Build Thread Fillsrunner4.3 crawler (Part Two) build thread Last edited by fillsrunner4; 06-03-2009 at 10:56 AM.

06-03-2009, 11:03 AM	#6 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,548	Pipe and tube are not the same. Easily researchable and covered. Buy from tricktools.com JD2 and a couple dies will run you $1K easily but worth it if you use it Get hydaulic if you got the cash as pulling the handle gets old. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

06-03-2009, 11:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Yeah I read your first post again saying "I know pipe benders WONT work" I thought you said something asking if they would.. my bad. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

06-03-2009, 11:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
malteserunner Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ca Posts: 520	We ordered the model 32 from JD2.com with 1 set of dies for about $800. __________________ 87 4Runner, 22re, 5 spd, 4.88, ARB rear, Mile Marker PE8000, Downey Header, TG Sliders, 3" BL, Home Fab Front and Rear Bumper, WabFab Bikini Top, Rustoleum OD Green. Build Thread 98 Tacoma Prerunner, 2.7, 340k. 91 4Runner, V6. 5 speed, Pro Comp lift, 33's, Rock Crawlers. Sold. Parting Out- 97 T-100

06-03-2009, 01:08 PM	#11 (permalink)
yodathespian87 Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 464	Thats pretty good. I was just going to ask about dies. What are the most common? If I'm getting 2" DOM tube then I would want a 2" die right. There isn't some wierd formula for it is there? __________________ 86 Pickup 4x2, Manual (Sold) 87 Extra Cab Pickup 4x4, Manual (Sold) 93 4Runner 4x4, Manual, 3.4 Swap In progress 90 4Runner 4x4, Manual, Blown 3.0 (Stripping out for parts then to become a trail rig/camping/fun truck) 94 Lexus SC400, 1UZ, magnaflow exhaust, after market headlights, bought for parts for the swap into the 90 4Runner

06-03-2009, 02:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
malteserunner Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ca Posts: 520	Yep 2" dies for 2" tube. The model we purchased will bend up to 2", 0.25" wall tubing. Good luck. __________________ 87 4Runner, 22re, 5 spd, 4.88, ARB rear, Mile Marker PE8000, Downey Header, TG Sliders, 3" BL, Home Fab Front and Rear Bumper, WabFab Bikini Top, Rustoleum OD Green. Build Thread 98 Tacoma Prerunner, 2.7, 340k. 91 4Runner, V6. 5 speed, Pro Comp lift, 33's, Rock Crawlers. Sold. Parting Out- 97 T-100

06-03-2009, 04:32 PM	#14 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,372	I'm certainly no production fab shop, but unless you bend A LOT of tubing, I would save the money on hydraulic/pneumatic/air over/etc and get another set of dies. I have used the JD2 a couple of times, and the leverage it has is plenty. The time I needed to bend 2"x0.25" wall, everyone around who had converted theirs to hydraulic said it didn't have enough oomph to do that heavy a tube. With manual, you just put a bigger cheater bar on. Yes, for 2", you buy a 2" die. Same die will bend all wall thicknesses for that OD. You need the EXACT die for the size tubing you're doing. For example, you can't bend 1-3/8" using a 1-1/2" die. I saw one in the Summit Racing tools catalog that looked reasonably priced and came with 3 sets of dies. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

06-03-2009, 05:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
yodathespian87 Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 464	Thanks TC that is most helpful. I'm only bending enough DOM for 2 4Runners. And not all at once. Cage, sliders, stinger for bumper, you get my drift. See as we are talking about Tube benders, what are you guys using to fish mouth your tube? Are you guys cutting in with a grinder at 90 degrees, a lathe, a drill press? __________________ 86 Pickup 4x2, Manual (Sold) 87 Extra Cab Pickup 4x4, Manual (Sold) 93 4Runner 4x4, Manual, 3.4 Swap In progress 90 4Runner 4x4, Manual, Blown 3.0 (Stripping out for parts then to become a trail rig/camping/fun truck) 94 Lexus SC400, 1UZ, magnaflow exhaust, after market headlights, bought for parts for the swap into the 90 4Runner

06-03-2009, 07:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,372	Tube notcher ... JD2 also I'm using the Rigid bimetal holesaw blades and they seem to be holding up well. Just remember, the larger the diameter hole saw, the lower RPM you need (you want the same linear speed for the teeth) and some lubrication is good too. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action Last edited by tc; 06-03-2009 at 07:17 PM.

06-04-2009, 08:21 AM	#17 (permalink)
malteserunner Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ca Posts: 520	I'm using a Hypertherm Powermax 600 plasma cutter I picked up used off craigslist for $500. __________________ 87 4Runner, 22re, 5 spd, 4.88, ARB rear, Mile Marker PE8000, Downey Header, TG Sliders, 3" BL, Home Fab Front and Rear Bumper, WabFab Bikini Top, Rustoleum OD Green. Build Thread 98 Tacoma Prerunner, 2.7, 340k. 91 4Runner, V6. 5 speed, Pro Comp lift, 33's, Rock Crawlers. Sold. Parting Out- 97 T-100

06-04-2009, 08:22 AM	#18 (permalink)
yodathespian87 Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 464	Good to know. Yeah tapping oil always helps. And yes to make sure It's all cleaned off. before welding. A plasma cutter? That sounds pretty serious. Do you get good clean cuts? __________________ 86 Pickup 4x2, Manual (Sold) 87 Extra Cab Pickup 4x4, Manual (Sold) 93 4Runner 4x4, Manual, 3.4 Swap In progress 90 4Runner 4x4, Manual, Blown 3.0 (Stripping out for parts then to become a trail rig/camping/fun truck) 94 Lexus SC400, 1UZ, magnaflow exhaust, after market headlights, bought for parts for the swap into the 90 4Runner Last edited by yodathespian87; 06-04-2009 at 08:23 AM.

06-04-2009, 08:27 AM	#19 (permalink)
yodathespian87 Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 464	__________________ 86 Pickup 4x2, Manual (Sold) 87 Extra Cab Pickup 4x4, Manual (Sold) 93 4Runner 4x4, Manual, 3.4 Swap In progress 90 4Runner 4x4, Manual, Blown 3.0 (Stripping out for parts then to become a trail rig/camping/fun truck) 94 Lexus SC400, 1UZ, magnaflow exhaust, after market headlights, bought for parts for the swap into the 90 4Runner

06-06-2009, 06:11 PM	#20 (permalink)
4rnr Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Plainfield, IL Posts: 1,469	$90 to get a pneumatic over hydraulic cherry picker ram. then just fab up a braket into the nice portable cart you can now mke Oh and another vote a JD2 model 3 Thats what I have always used. the most common dies for me are a 1.5x5.5 and a 1.75x5.5 __________________ poop 1988 stock 4runner, v6, 5spd, soft top. 1990 fj62 stock and mint! 1992 4runner, 3.4, auto, SAS'ed, Marlin USA springs (4"/5"), 37" PBR's, 30 spline Longfields, Hydro assist, dual inchworms (5:1, twin stick, 23 spline, chromo output, 10* clock) 5.29's, lockrite's, custom exo, High angle drivelines drive shafts, 108" wheelbase, Warn hs9500i, Mcintosh/Dynaudio a/v system. The build up...http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?t=74915 Last edited by 4rnr; 06-06-2009 at 06:12 PM.

06-30-2009, 05:38 PM	#21 (permalink)
NCFJ Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1	I build bumpers for the FJC. I use the JD2 with an air over hydro cylinder. $100.00 for the ram and $ 89.00 for the mount kit from Copperhead Farbrication. I've used this thing manually a great deal and can tell you that going to the air over Hydro makes a HUGE difference. I bend multiple bumpers at a time with this set up and it goes all day long. I also use the tube notcher pictured in post #19. Trust me, if you bend up a couple rigs worth of cages, sliders and bumpers you are going to have people coming to you to get stuff bent. It'll pay that bender off in a heart beat.

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