Bender Quandry

rodnocker

rodnocker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2011
Location
Clayton NC
1. Which bender to I get? I've been looking and have narrowed it down to either pro-105 or JD2. They both seem to be very similar in price (within $5.00 of each other) but the pro-105 is rated a little thicker (1 1/2" tube, 4 1/2 CLR 0.134 vs. 0.120)
2. What size dies should I get? What should be my first, second then third? Will probably just be able to get one die for now but would like to know what my collection progression should be. Looking to be able to make bumpers, sliders, roll bars, eco-cage and tube beds.
3. I've seen it suggested to get a small CLR as it is more versatile as to what you can make. True or not? Is there a point of being to small a radius?
4. I'm tight for room, is it possible to mount a manual bender vertical so that I'm pulling down to bend, instead of pushing around? I won't be able to start off hydraulic, but will eventually upgrade it to that.

Thanks for the help
 
I have the JD2 and know nothing of the pro-105. You should get whatever dies you think you will use the most. I would suggest a 1.75" and a 1.5", in that order. I agree that the smaller CLR give you more options. Rarely (if ever) do you need a larger radius bend ILO a smaller one. You could mount a manual bender vertical, but I think the range of motion would be a problem unless you are REALLY tall. You will use every inch of the leverage bar and the range of motion is probably 135-150 degrees.
 
I got the JD2. It's fine but would like to check out the pro 105. I think mine is alil on the loss side, to easy to make too much bend, not the best measuring on the degree wheel. Just my 2 coins worth.
 
Pro-105 here, solid bender and make sure you get the angle gauge if you want to recreate bends accurately. 1.75" Tube and definitely get the smallest radius die you can get. Pro-tools makes a HD version also. I'm sure the JD2 is just as solid but I went with the Pro-Tools model.

Currently have a 1.25, 1.5, and a 1.75 dies... the 1.75 die never comes out of the bender. I think I've used the 1.25 die once... maybe? You might want to consider a 2" die after the 1.75 if you're building anything full-size. HTH
 
JD2 is the way to go IMO. I've used or seen used about all of the major brands. Hands down the JD2 model 3 or 32 are superior. One of their selling points is the way they cut the dies to fit the shape of the tube as it's bent. Seemed like another gimmic to me but far from true. The bend quality with mine is excellent. I use a 6.5 CLR 1.75 die more than anything. 1.75 would definitely be the first and most important to have. Sometimes I regret having the 6.5 instead of the 5.5 radius but for most things it isn't a problem. Definitely get the degree wheel and take the time initially to set it up right for the die you're using. Be prepared to waste a few feet of tube to dial it in before starting a project, it's worth it.

www.swagoffroad.com is a good place to get an air/hydraulic cylinder mount on the cheap. The cylinder can be had for around 100.00 My old bender used a similar setup and It worked as well as the power unit on my new bender. Once you buy this kit you will wish you had done it sooner.
 
How much do you honestly think you will use it? Your best bet might be one of the cheaper vertical hydraulic/cast die benders that summit/speedway/etc all sell now for less than half the price. There used to be no choice, but now it's even harder to justify spending $1k or more for a tool you'll hardly use. That being said, I built my own gottrikes style pro tools die air/hydro vertical bender for under $100. And they have probably changed, but jd2 used to have a shitty arm design, weaker dies and were more expensive to ship.
 
I'll be in the market the first of the year and probably won't bend 5-6 sticks in my lifetime??? Just another tool that would be cool for the collection just in case. And I don't have 2-3 weeks time to spend on fabbing and running around for materials / trial and errors and such for a home fab. So...

What's wrong with this?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRO3-AIR-HY...602?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc6b33f02

And what's the $100 difference between this one besides metal thickness? Would the extra thickness be worth it?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PRO4-AIR-HY...Domain_0&hash=item3ccd3de7d3&autorefresh=true

I searched Summit and nothing was comparable???
 
How much will it get used? If I'm lucky, everyday for a long time. If not, enough to make a front bumper, rear bumper, sliders, roll bar and tube bed for my truck. Then if people like what they see, I might even be able to make a little money off the hobby and turn it into a business. I guess I'm looking at either JD2 or Pro-tools instead of summit for the same reason that I don't normally shop at Harbor Freight for my main tools. Sure I'll get clamps, brushes and cutting wheels from there, but I wouldn't own one of their ratchet sets or something else that I would consider a critical tool. I've seen to many reviews about the summit type cast dies cracking. Last thing I need is to be in the middle of a job and blow the die and have to order another one while the customer waits.
 
If you buy a Jd2. Try shopping Medford tools. I bought from them because they were almost 200 cheaper than anyone else.


Sent from the MarsFab Off Road mobile response unit.
 
Most pro tools benders have a slight break in period. The couple I've used seemed to get better with age when it comes to getting the tube to release after deeper bends. The JD squared I've used seemed to release better brand new and made better looking bends. JD also uses a speacial alloy on the dies that somewhat self lubricates and is guaranteed for life. The pro tools version is one continuos billet of the same alloy. A brand new Pro Tool bender I got to use gaulded on the first few tubes to the point we had to cleanup the die with files and flap disk to carry on. We were using gracious amount of lube, every thing from white lithtium to high pressure grease. Pro Tools dies and geometry doesn't seem quite dialed in or they just have slopier tolerences.
 
Right now I'm leaning toward the JD2 Model 32 with the 1.75” (5.5-180) die for the following reasons.
1. Ability to bend .25" wall
2. Ability to bend 2.5" tube
3. Lifetime warranty on the dies
4. Includes degree ring (not an extra cost)

While I might not be looking to do either 1 or 2 right now, I would hate to invest in a lesser bender and have to replace everything to move to that in the future.

My biggest things are 3 & 4. To me, putting a lifetime warranty on a die is big. After all, that is where your major investment is. That tells me the company is willing to stand behind their product. While a degree ring might not cost that much, I didn't really like the fact that pro-tools does not include it with the bender. Also, in comparing pro-tools with JD2, the pro-tools MB105 heavy duty is made from 5/8" steel whereas the model 32 is made from 3/4" steel.

Cost comparison...
JD2 Model 32 - 395.00
Degree ring - included
1.75" 5.5-180 Die - 300.00
Total - $695.00

Pro-tools MB105 HD - 399.00
Degree ring - 59.00
1.75" 6.0-180 Die - 310.00 (they don't have a 5.5" clr)
Total $768.00

While I may not have all the information, it seems to me that the better bender is also cheaper.

I'm doing my best to compare apples to apples here. Have I left anything out? I know there will be tax and shipping, but those should be pretty well equal.

MarsFab said:
If you buy a Jd2. Try shopping Medford tools. I bought from them because they were almost 200 cheaper than anyone else.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about this ^^^. Their website shows the same prices as the JD2 website shows, at least for what I have been pricing they do.
 
Using the Pro tools with 240 dies. Like it fine. Tube doesnt distort. Dies are tight. Seems bend spring back is same as JD.

I kinda thought the JD was better, but prob because I had used the JD for so long. The more I use the Pro, the more I think they're same-same performance wise

Only prob with small radii is they tend to cripple thin wall. (if you ever needed!)
 
rodnocker said:
I'm curious about this ^^^. Their website shows the same prices as the JD2 website shows, at least for what I have been pricing they do.
Click to expand...

Yea I'm looking at it now and they are the same price. I guess something has changed or I'm remembering wrong. I ordered mine with the air/hydro setup and at that time Medford was cheaper. Maybe it was a special or something.
 
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