Looking for a metal bender but for light duty small projects.

[GophersGarage]

HI Guys, I currently have a 40" 3 in 1 (sheer,brake,roll) and I also have a pedestal metal bender that bolts to the floor. But what I am really looking for is something the fits into the vise. That is good for small metal bending projects.

I was thinking something like this but I don't think it would work for small stuff.

THE MACHETE Rod & Flat Bar Bender

Sick of hammering and trying to bend flat bar and round bar over the edge of your vice or bench? TMR's Machete Bender is the fix! It will instantly become the most versatile tool in your fabrication arsenal! CNC machined in house. Powder coated and black oxide coated for outstanding looks and...

ca.tmrcustoms.com

 

[plinker]

I picked up one of these from Lee Valley a long while back, they dont offer it anymore apparently, but others may. Handy at times for 1/8" steel.

http://www.veritastools.com/Products/Page.aspx?p=191
https://www.leevalley.com/en-gb/sho...vises/32011-veritas-metal-bender?item=50K0801

 

[jeepinerdeep]

I got a Huth Rod Bender like that TMR one. Not sure witch would be easier for you to get.

 

[kyrbz]

Eastwood has an inexpensive one that fits in a vise and would probably be good for small stuff

Eastwood Metal Rod Forming and Bending Tool

Create bends in steel and aluminum rods Perfect for fabricating new exhaust system hangers

www.eastwood.com

 

[GeoBruin]

I got a Huth Rod Bender like that TMR one. Not sure witch would be easier for you to get.

The Huth bender looks very similar to the machete but is about $75 cheaper. Any idea about the differences?

 

[kyrbz]

At a previous job we had a variety of benders. The one I liked using on smaller projects was the KAKA SBG-40. It has a vise/clamp mechanism to hold the piece you're bending which really helps getting consistent accurate results when you have to bend multiples of the same piece.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015KGWXOY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

The KAKA SBG-40 has really gone up in price over the last few years, but I see there is a Vevor clone for almost $300 less. Looks identical, uses the same model number, wouldn't be surprised if they came out of the same factory.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Z5ZWXZL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I've made a few improvised attachments and used my snap on ball joint press like a mini press brake.

 

[cavalry]

I have had excellent luck with this bender, unfortunately the price has increased $150+ It makes very repeatable bends and will cold bend some pretty amazing stuff for its size.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015KIVA82/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Search UB70 or UB100, there seem to be clones of the clones still available for reasonable money.,

 

[Terra Nova]

I picked up one of these from Lee Valley a long while back, they dont offer it anymore apparently, but others may. Handy at times for 1/8" steel.

http://www.veritastools.com/Products/Page.aspx?p=191
https://www.leevalley.com/en-gb/sho...vises/32011-veritas-metal-bender?item=50K0801

Northern tool, among others, sell something similar. Have one but haven't gotten a lot of use out of it yet.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200888087_200888087

Eastwood has an inexpensive one that fits in a vise and would probably be good for small stuff

Eastwood Metal Rod Forming and Bending Tool

Create bends in steel and aluminum rods Perfect for fabricating new exhaust system hangers

www.eastwood.com

I have one of these. Works really well for what it is.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

The Huth bender looks very similar to the machete but is about $75 cheaper. Any idea about the differences?

Reading about them, I cannot find any difference other than the handle looks a bit different. Design and capacity is the same. Huth is domestic made also.

 

[Gizmosity]

I have planned to make one of these for about 8 years but I've always managed to fumble my way into what I need without this much investment in time, which I don't think is all that much.

One of these days I'm going to do a large run of hardware totes that need pretty precisely bent 1/4" rod for handles and this would be perfect for that.

Rod Bender

This was one of the easiest little tools I have ever made lately. Like a lot of the things I do there is a behind the scenes story to tell. ...

oxtool.blogspot.com

 

[ez-duzit]

For a metal brake I adapted my 50-ton Carolina hydraulic press using a drop off a 4-way die.