Bender Die

southern4x4

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2005
Location
Charlotte, NC
I have a Model 3 Manual Tube bender from JD2 and I am looking to get a die. I was just curious, if my bender is from JD2 do I need to get the die from there too, or would a die from a different manufacturer be compatable?
 
I think there's a few that are about the same, but I would contact JD2 to be sure or just buy their die-sets altogether.
 
I would rec. the JD2 dies. They are superior to the rest. Some kind of patented material which reduces pipe marking and has a few other pros as well. Their website goes into detail about it I think.
 
The protools dies fit as well. Id get a jd2, i had a problem with one of my followers in the past and contacted jd2, they replaced it and overnighted the part no charge. I have had great customer support from them.
 
I would not think anyone else would that much cheaper anyway. They are all expensive.
Steve
 
I have put off buying this die set for long enough and am tired of the unassembled bender taking up room on the floor so I have one last question before I order the die.

What would be the better buy, the 1 3/4" 5.5 CLR 180 degree die set or the 1 3/4" 6.5 CLR 180degree die set?
 
Have found that the tighter radii, they're more prone to kinking the tubing.

Good mandrel benders are less trouble on small radii, but regular draw benders often will kink tight radii.

Most 1 3/4" dies we ever use are 6" to 8" R
 
StudNuts said:
The protools dies fit as well. Id get a jd2, i had a problem with one of my followers in the past and contacted jd2, they replaced it and overnighted the part no charge. I have had great customer support from them.
Click to expand...

Protools makes dies for jd2 benders, but the 105 dies don't work... M-tech uses the same dies as jd2.

Couple reasons I went with pro-tools... Half the lead time on a pro tools die, the pro tools dies are cheaper--and if you go with a 120* die, it's usually about $70 less. I've also heard of more people breaking the jd2 dies than the pro tools.

Truthfully though, it's more up to what benders your friends have--being able to swap dies really helps.
 
I think almost another year is definitely it. I am going to pull the trigger in the next day or two so that I can stop saying, "if I only had the die." Final pros and cons and your selection on the 5.5 vs 6.5 radius?
 
I am leaning towards the 5.5 just in case I want to do some tighter bends and with .120 wall stuff it should be fine. Wasn't sure of the negatives of using a tight radius die for wider bends though.
 
I have a 1.5" at 5.5 rad. and a 1.75 at 6.5...I find myself using 1.5" when I can so I can use the tight radius. Plan on working a little harder if it's a manual with the tighter radius.
 
Yea i will take all my .250 wall to someone else who has a older bender. :lol:

Have the protools and so far havent broken/bent any dies.
 
I went with the 1.75 5.5. Arrived today, about 4 days. Need to build a stand and get a few handles. A longer one for some extra leverage, unless anyone has found this to be a bad idea. If it breaks, I will address that then.
 
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