Cheap tube bender?

[johno]

I'm toying with the idea of bracing my car frame, with some tube crossmembers to stiffen it up.

Does anyone know of a good cheap tube bender?

Does the HF style ( with the vertical cylinder) work for tubing, and not flatten the tube?

Thanks for any help.

 

[nate379]

HF one works "ok" on pipe, never used it on tubing before though.

This is will work good:
http://www.medfordtools.com/mb3.html

 

[Stephenw]

I have a Pro-Tools 105. It's a good bender for the money.

http://www.pro-tools.com/105.htm

 

[scott37300]

The harbor freight bender is knick named "the kinker". I have never used it but have read lots of guys saying it doesn't work very well. It's a pipe bender for conduit and other pipe, not a tube bender so the sizes don't match the tubing you get from supply houses for roll cages and stuff. I've read it works OK for low angle bends but don't expect to make anything close to 90 degree bends.

The pro tools, jd2, or any others similar are your best bet for a good bend. A lot more expensive but easier to use and better results.

 

[rsanter]

the HF hydrolic unit works great on thicker material but will kink the thinner tubes
I have heard of people packing the tube with sand and sealing the ends before bendine and this is supposed to help alot

bob

 

[Case IH]

the HF hydrolic unit works great on thicker material but will kink the thinner tubes
I have heard of people packing the tube with sand and sealing the ends before bendine and this is supposed to help alot

bob

I have heard if that too also they will put waterline and freeze it but that would be hard.........my bro used a HF bender to mane a pre-runner bumper for his ranger and it did fine...........WHAT IS A GOOD NOTCHER FOR THE MONEY???????

 

[BQuicksilver]

We tried to use the HF with roll cage tubing. Kinked every time.

 

[Mykl]

Big difference between a tubing bender and a pipe bender.
I have a JD Squared tubing bender and have been very happy with it.
With the price of tubing now a days you cant afford to screw up.