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Sun Jun 19, 2005 7:59 pm

This seems like a pretty cool idea for an inexpensive bender.
http://www.lindsaybks.com/dgjp/djgbk/pipe/index.html

Wed Jun 22, 2005 8:48 am

Just buy a real bender. You can waste alot of time and money with these halfassed benders. To use that bender for rollcage tubing would take a 20+ foot lever and the mentioned gorrilla to pull it. plus that kind of force will destroy the wood :roll: in no time at all.

Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:39 am

Pipe bender is not the same as a tube bender, FYI. Pipes are thinner and weaker, not meant for safety use in cars but more for plumbing, etc.

Wed Jun 22, 2005 10:52 am

If you need cross-supports etc... rod can be bent with some of these... not the way to go.. but a work around for home fabs.

Wed Jun 22, 2005 4:33 pm

Yes, I know the difference between pipe and tubing but I only need to do a few bends and this is just an idea (as the title says) for those that like to do things themselves and cannot afford a real bender. I dont thing this thing would actually bend pipe very good either let alone tubing. Sorry for posting this. :roll:

Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:15 pm

So whats the answer...

I am running three junkyard 70's sandrails for me & the kids... I need a low cost solution for the occassional bending requirements

Do those little hydraulic units from harbor freight suffice, or is that a waste of time?

Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:26 am

You could use a pipe bender if you packed the tube full of sand first so it doesnt crush.

Wed Jul 13, 2005 12:44 am

Harbor freight "PIPE" benders are a waste of time for the most part.

I would like to clarify the main difference in pipe and tubing. The major difference, and generally the problem associated with benders, is the diameters of the material. To put it simply tubing is measured in outside diameter and pipe is measured in inside diameter. For example 1-inch tubing is 1-inch in outside diameter while 1-inch pipe has an outside diameter of about 1.32 inches. I think you can see why the bending dies of pipe benders and tube benders are slightly different.

Equally important are th design of the bender. Typically a pipe is a heavier material and can be bent in an easier manner. Sorry Kubel Nick, but you are a little off in your thinking. Tubing on the other hand will kink fairly easy. Therfore tubing benders are designed to Pull or draw the material through the bender to avoid possible kinking.

I will not get into the specifics regarding the physical makeup of pipe and the various types of tubing. But Nick is entirely right by stating that pipe is NOT intended for structural work. Do not use it for roll cage material, period.

I hope this clears things up just a little.

SHMO

Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:01 am

Chewbacca wrote: You could use a pipe bender if you packed the tube full of sand first so it doesnt crush.

Ok, I want to clear this one up as well. We have all heard it, but it is generally considered an unsafe bet by todays standards, and let me explain why. While it is possible to pack a tube with sand and weld the ends closed in order to bend it, there is a major dilema that you can run into when doing so. The major problem comes from the sand itself. You will need to pack the pipe with COMPLETELY dried sand. The reason is, any moisture what so ever in the sand will turn to steam when the welding process begins. The steam then pressurizes. Pressurized steam = pipe bomb. Please don't experiment at home with this idea unless your willing to risk it.

SHMO

Wed Jul 13, 2005 4:14 pm

How about the benders from Low Buck Tools? Anyone used them?

They're tubing benders, and they cost 500, with one set of dies.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 8:16 pm

boys don't buy the harbor feight bender it sucks the pipe kinks .heat and strong arm not as bad I took a magnafing glass looked at wizard fabrications ad in hot vw the bender they use in its basic set up with 1 die is under 300. sorry about the print but you get the just two to many beers

Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:29 pm

There are some plans you can buy on ebay to build your own tubing bender is thing any good??

Fri Jul 29, 2005 6:47 pm

The only problem with buying the plans is you still have to buy the dies and they are about 250 or 300$. The above link would probably work but it would have to be lathed for tubing (outside Diameter) instead of pipe.

Sat Jul 30, 2005 5:44 am

Find a local welder fabricater and pay a liitle for the occasional bend. Real easy and a lot cheaper in the long run than buying shtuff that won't work. Plus you're helping a local guy make a living. Once you find a good one he'll be a good resource for the rest of the little stuff that comes up.
Bill