41 replies to this topic

[G.I.jonas]

Hey everyone,just want to let everyone know that i recently purchased a set of plans from GotTrikes.com for a air/hydraulic tubing bender.I paid $18 for the e-mailed plans and i have to say that although i havnt built it yet,i am extremely impressed with what i recieved,about 30 pages of well written instructions with cad diagrams and full scale drilling templates with every measurement down to the thousandth of an inch.You can build this bender for like $3-$400 and you end up with something you cant buy for less than like $2500.The build is somewhat of a project,not much for me but definately not for everyone.Heres a link below and i definately urge anyone with the need for a bender and the tools to make it not to wait,this si a great set of plans for a sweet bender...and please dont ask me to just e-mail a copy,ive been in trouble for copyright infringement before:cuss:

[jeffer949]

this does mandrels right?? if so thats awsome and ill be looking into it

[getZ]

That looks pretty nice, but I only need $400 dollar bender. It's the dies that are expensive. Neat DIY project though.

Plans for a mandrel bender would be awesome, but when new ones cost $50,000. I don't think you are going to build one for $1000. Then again, the only thing I would really like a mandral bender for is an exhaust.

[e_racer1999]

don't forget that mandrel benders require a mandrel guys; so i doubt this will do mandrel. looks like a good quality crush bender, though

[G.I.jonas]

These benders use the dies that i have seen used on manual benders and will bend a tube near 180 degrees without noticable deformation.These benders are meant for roll cage/tube chassis building. Most chassis or frame tube bending applications do not require a mandrel and even though the bend may appear stronger the outer wall of the tube is actually stretched thinner by the mandrel bending process(not ideal).If you want to make a cage,chassis or off road parts,this is the kind of bender you want,the difference in bend quality between these benders and the type you can get from harbor freight is dramatic at the very least.

[hughdogz]

After visiting a customer's manufacturing plant last week, I saw their mandrel bender in action.

I never knew they use a steel sphere inside to keep the tube from collapsing. "ahh...that's how you do it!"

[ihatejoefitz]

Do they sell dies?

Edit: It says they tell you where to buy the dies in the instructions.

[240Z_478]

I actually just bought the same plans let me know how it turns out and how much the final cost with dies is.

[G.I.jonas]

It seems im looking at about $350-400 for materials,though i may spend more on the hydro cylinder itself.Dies are the same price for everyone so there is no escaping that one,but considering manual benders cost as much as i will have into this bender im not really going to worry.

[grumpyvette]

while this looks like a super little welding project , I don,t see it as necessarily a huge cost savings if the only object is to bend exhaust tubing,yes it looks like a great tool,. but add up the cost of steel, the hydrolic ram and the dies and I bet youll be getting close to this one

http://www.harborfre...temnumber=35336

now don,t get me wrong, the custom built ones probably superior , but since most exhaust systems that require bending vs buying a pre-made kit are custom fabricated, youll probably be cutting and welding more than tweaking the angles with a bender if your looking for full dia. bends

btw

http://www.harborfre...temnumber=37354

these come in handy at times

basic kits like this make fabricating a custom exhaust fairly easy with a decent welder, and I can,t see useing anything but stainless if IM taking the time and effort to build a custom exhaust

http://store.summitr...15&autoview=sku

http://store.summitr...15&autoview=sku

[jeromio]

Harbor freight bender is for pipe, not tubing. It will not work on DOM or other tubing you would use for a cage.

(BTW, he did say this was for a cage, not exhaust)

[lowdown]

Those are good, I opted to get a model 4 bender, but as far as any bender goes, dies cost a good amount of $$$$. This model 4 works great on everything i've used it with, roll cages, frame parts, crossmembers, etc.. http://www.vansanten...el_4_bender.htm

[mull]

Those are good, I opted to get a model 4 bender, but as far as any bender goes, dies cost a good amount of $$$$. This model 4 works great on everything i've used it with, roll cages, frame parts, crossmembers, etc.. http://www.vansanten...el_4_bender.htm

They have cheaper models available as well. Like the model 3 priced at $300 without any dies and hydraulics - gives you a healthy workout at the same time
http://www.jd2.com/

[G.I.jonas]

now don,t get me wrong, the custom built ones probably superior , but since most exhaust systems that require bending vs buying a pre-made kit are custom fabricated, youll probably be cutting and welding more than tweaking the angles with a bender if your looking for full dia. bends

Actually i'm not planning on bending any exhaust at all lol.Just stuff for my off road hobby-(shown below:razz:)- like bumpers and tire carriers and whatnot,also the cage in my datsun if i ever get back to it...damnit!
Basically most things will be 1 1/2" dia and maybe some smaller stuff too which this thing will bend up in like 30 seconds.





Sorry had to show off a bit:icon29:

[lowdown]

Awsome wagon!

model 3 is great, i just wanted to do up to 2.5" and I had the hydro pump and such allready, and I don't need the extra workout. Also if only use it every once in a while the model 3 would be a better choice

[Tony D]

http://www.tubeshark.com

Need I say more?

[lowdown]

They are proud of bender! looks good though.

[WizardBlack]

drawn over mandrel (first pic) is easy to get.
crush bent is easy to get.
mandrel bent under 2~2.5" is attainable (what tony posted).
Getting mandrel benders for 3"+ exhaust isn't so easy/cheap.

[RTz]

Sorry had to show off a bit:icon29:

You sure did. That thing looks like a hoot!

I bought my wife a Subaru sedan a couple years ago.... never had much prior interest Sube's. Its been a great vehicle and has inspired me to learn more. Your wagon is too cool.

Sorry for the tangent,

[Mike C]

I have the ProTools 105 and am going to do a hydro conversion soon, but their mechanical benders are cool.

This is the ultimate in homebuilt tube benders.
http://www.offroadfa...hread.php?t=218