Tube Benders 101???

storeman

storeman

Known by Few
Joined
Mar 8, 2007
Location
Whiteville nc
Looking to buy a manual tube bender for projects on my Jeep and others. What brand is good to go with JD Square, Pro Tools, other?

I know there are lots of different dies to choose from. School me on that too. What I want to build is Tube Fenders, Brush Guards, Rocker Guards , some roll bar add ons.

I will buy the Die to do the tube fenders first as I need to stay around 600.00 Total


Thanks for any info
 
I have had a JD2 Model 3, a Tubetek, and now a JMR.

Tubetek is out of business, has horrible service, and I was not really impressed (got rid of it and got the JMR because I got the JMR at a smokin deal with 3 dies). Since they are out of business and you can't get one, I won't go into further detail. It would be decent for hobby use only, anything more and you would hate it.

JD2 Model 2 was nice, I never really had a problem with mine, the aluminum follow blocks did show some wear when I sold it though. They are replaceable though. I sold it because I got a really good deal on the Tubetek with more dies.

JMR (sportsman bender), although I haven't actually bent with it yet I can say I like the construction better than the JD2. It has bushings at the pivot points which is nice to keep the arms from moving when pulling the main pin out to change the die. The dies are VERY expensive, but they are coming out with new dies that will be comparable in price to the JD2 and pro-tools (I think cheaper). I have to order a 1.75" die, their normal one is $500, the 'new' design will be about $300.

In my opinion, if you will just be using it for personal use, maybe stuff for a couple friends, you can't go wrong with JD2, Pro-Tools, or JMR. If you plan to use it ALOT, I would suggest the JMR Sportsman bender, the JD2 Model 32, or the Pro-Tools Brute(I think that was their heavier model).
 
IMO jd2's dies are far superior to everything I've seen. I had an issue that was related to my specific bender right after I bought it a year ago. I called them up, said what was wrong, had a new bender frame at my shop the next day no questions asked. They get my business.


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Infamous1 said:
so what would one do to fall into this so called "buddy" group???
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hang out with my ugly mug... help me with all my crazy projects and ideas.. and being part of cnc4x4 helps since I do a lot with them as a group :)
 
haha I just messing with you man!! I am considering purchasing a bender myself and since the JD2 is the clear hobby bender, anybody have any suggestions on notchers?
 
I've got a Protools 105HD and its done everything I've asked it to. And like others said, my friends seem to like it too, haha!

As far as dies, start with the 1.5" die, and then get the 1.75" when you want to do cage work.
 
What about bending square tube? Looking to do fenders, but wanting to go square. I have noticed on newer carports, square is used, but I don't care for the "crushed in" look, of the radius.
Front fenders particularly, would have sharper bends, that those carports!
 
I would start with a 1.75" die, can be used for nearly anything you want, and tube seems to be easier to get (for me at least)

I just got the bender mounted to my table, and the hydro cylinder showed up today. It is large (24" stroke), but shouod bend a little past 90° before re-pinning the die, which will make my life alot easier when making target stands. The Harbor Freight air/hydraulic cylinder works good and is better than manual, but still kind of slow in comparison to a real hydraulic pump/cylinder.

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jeepinmatt said:
I've got a Protools 105HD and its done everything I've asked it to. And like others said, my friends seem to like it too, haha!

As far as dies, start with the 1.5" die, and then get the 1.75" when you want to do cage work.
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I have a 105hd as well. 24 chassis, and a bunch if cages. The pro tools dies suck compared to jd2. I've broke dies and bent pins bending heavy wall tube that others have bent with jd2 with no problems.
 
rockmafia said:
I have a 105hd as well. 24 chassis, and a bunch if cages. The pro tools dies suck compared to jd2. I've broke dies and bent pins bending heavy wall tube that others have bent with jd2 with no problems.
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Have you ran JD2 dies in your Protools bender? I used a friends JD2 die in mine and other than things not starting right at zero, I seem to remember everything else working fine.
 
I've bent both with mine 1.5 and 1.75. .250 Mine is the model 32 though.


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dear lord

also, what happened to TubeTek guy? thought he was having health problems (Spence bought a 1.5" die from him a year or so ago)
 
rockmafia said:
1.5" or 1.75"?
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both 1.5 and 1.75..

to make it easier we also heat tube with a torch first sometimes and then it bends like butter :)
 
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