I'm seriously thinking about buying this for fabbing sliders and such...what do you guys think? Bad idea? Junk product? Let me, as there isn't much time left. Thanks guys

Tube Bender

Looks likea great tool ...but..here it comes... how oftendo you think you would use it ??? (unless you have some kind
of buisness in mind ??? if the price plus shipping plus cost of materials to build sliders is cheaper than buying
and you still have use ...GREAT you also need enough room to swing the pipe or tubing around ,that means a good size garage too . I thought about it myself for exhaust pipe but
changed my mind when i found out how much room and the cost of materials would be . Great if you can make mony to pay for it . best of luck . <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Note that it doesn't include the dies...

What about the Harbor Freight no frills pipe bender? It's far more basic in its design function, but at a low price that includes the dies. People have talked on this in the past, but I haven't heard anyone say they got it. I'll go halfsies as I will most probably be looking to do a roll cage if I chop my top...

That tube bender only does up to 2" tube - about the size of a downtube on most bicycles. Those Pipe benders at harbor freight are for pipe, not tubing. Completely different principles to bending and thier applications from what I know.

alright I found a friends dad who owns a good shop who is willing ot get it out. We went out the on the trail today and took a look at the truck. it is a good 2 miles in and nearly high centered. The truck they brought out, a diesel f-350 wrecker had no chance of making it.
They said that they had a friend with a very non-stock toyota who could make it out there and winch me out and then get me ot the tow truck and tow me out. They should do it at about 4pm tomorrow.

If anybody was wondering, that was a JDsquared bender. The price they wanted is the same as on the companys web site. Also, the die for 1 3/4" is about $100. So for under $400 you could have your very own bender. You will however need a notcher and a way to power it and a mig or tig welder to hot glue it all together. As for how often you would use it? Lets see bumpers,sliders,roofracks,shock hoops,seat brackets,rollcages,tubedoors, and the list goes on and on................
very nice tool but not a special price.

thanks for that info Flave...yeah, I think i'd get enough use out of it to justify it...i have a good friend who just bought a heep...he has all the welding equipment we could EVER POSSIBLY need, and my thinking was, if I had the bender, he'd likely hook me up with welding if I lend him the bender <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I'm gonna hold off for awhile though...not sure what my final bill is gonna be on my baby that's in the shop.

An average tube bender that will bend 1 1/2 to 3.0" tube cost new around 6k now, I paid 5500.00 in '95 when I opened a muffler shop/garage. If you can find a used one the reason its for sale is because it is worn out. I still have mine although I closed my shop in 2000 to get in the insurance industry. I use it almost as much now at home building Mobil Computer Stand that is posted in the for sale sectgion.
When i bend 3" anything over 30 degrees the tube begins to colapse. I use 14 ga tube so its not too thin, the manufacturer said it was the machine.
Besides Mobil Computer Stand, I just started building custom build nerf bars. I have them made for my d-50 out of 2.5" 14 ga. cold rolled steel tube. As soon as I have them painted I will post some pics.
Next after the nerf bars I will do a custom grill guard that will go under the front of the truck to help protect it form unseen obstacals.
If anyone is interested after I post the bars let me know. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" />

We have a Tube Shark out in the shop out back (nice machine no distorted/collapsed tubes) but the dies are a few hundred bucks a piece. Be prepared to spend some $ to get a decent assortment of dies. But heck, now you'll be able to build your own stuff and save money in the long run too. Find a good deal and go for it.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Oh yeah. You might be able to put a couple bucks in your pocket building stuff for your buddies too.

oh yeah an after thought ...Dont forget to get plenty of liability insurance if you plan on selling what you make
just in case there is a failure and .....well you know .
I dont want to sound like a [*]sooth sayer but you have to
cover your <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />