I want to get a manual square tubing bender for doing some light metal work. Mainly I'm looking to make hunting treestands and game carriers. Can you guys tell me where to get a good deal on one of these babies?

 

NO ONE has any tip for me?

 

can you bend square tubing? it seems like it would kink VERY easily I saw mitre it and weld it

 

this might help http://www.thefabricator.com/Article...icle.cfm?ID=23

seems a lot easier to cut it and weld

 

I've seen benders for about $300-$400. I was hoping to find something local. I'd rather buy from a shop/store so I know who to go to if there are problems.

 

ah crap my bad. I didnt read the whole post. I didnt realize you were looking for a tube bender

 

You can get square dies for most tubing benders, here is one popular one:
- http://www.jd2.com/

 

you might see if you can find someone with one of these



I have a buddy that bought one, and i THINK he has bent some 3/4x3/4 sq (thinwall) tube with it. (for a roof rack)

 

Snapon can you tell me what kind that is or where your buddy got it? I want to have one to make a lot of stuff not try to borrow from someone all the time.

 

If you right-click on the image, you'll see it is from http://harborfreight.com/, search for "bender" there and you'll find a few listed.

 

I appreciate that headsup Crawler. When I was at our local Harbor Freight Store they didn't think they had something that bends square tube. This thing looks like it will bend square but I would need the right dies. How do I know if dies made by someone else will work on this tool? Sometimes they aren't the best for service...at least not at our local shop.

 

If the tool does not come with the right dies, then you would need to find something that fits or have some made. Square tube dies would not be terribly hard to turn on a lathe. A local machine shop could probably do that. Or check out the JD2 bender I posted a link to. They have a wide assortment of dies.

 

Know where I could get the specs for them? Also does it take more than one die to make a bend? I don't know Jack about using a bender but I'm sure as hell ready to learn.

 

For specs on the bender/dies, you might be able to get some from the mfg. but in all likelyhood, you would need to acquire one and measure the existing dies and design one to fit.

Bending tube info:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/

 

good idea...The link is great

 

I plan on getting this one ...
M-Tech NE-5

A lot of good things said about this one and it is somewhat cheap. Th edown side dies are spendy but most are.

 

What do you guys think of this one? http://www.metalbendingtool.com/

Also what gauge of steel tubing do you think I should use for tree stands? Any other hunters here that have a clue what the commercial ones are?

 

most of the cheaper ones bend flat stock or solid rod only.

 

The Metal Bending tool does square tube.

 

bump for any other ideas. Still looking.