Mini universal bender recommendations

[milky2k]

I've been interested in getting a mini universal bender for some small projects I'd like to do at home. There aren't many youtube reviews on these but I did find a couple for the Almhs version of the bender. The review calls out issues with the bender like sloppy tolerances but also some remedies to make it perform better so I guess that's good. Amazon has several clones under different names as usual that vary in price from $50- $90. But then I saw that Micro-Mark sells the same kind of bender as well but once shipping and tax are included its almost $150. I have no problem spending that much if it is indeed better than all the Amazon versions but if it isn't, then there isn't any sense in over spending. I was hoping some of you may have some experience with these benders and can chime in on which one to get or avoid. Thanks

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRTV1H6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HBGZ1DM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075L6BQG9/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Universal Bender

DetailsBend Metal Wire and Strip into Complex Shapes with Ease Now with Expanded Tooling Set!Bend metal wire and strips in complex shapes with easeCreate S-curves, squares, coils, and moreClamps to bench-mounted vise or mount with boltsMade with rust-protected steel12-inch lever with rubberized...

www.micromark.com

 

[milky2k]

So the morning after I posted this I checked the Micromark site and saw the bender was reduced by about $25 so I decided to order it. It was just over $120 with tax and shipping and it arrived today.

Long story short, save your money, I don't believe this is any different from the clones on Amazon.

I'll post a few quick pics just to give you an idea of what you get and post of few videos I found that might help you deal with the some of the issues with this type of bender.

Made in India. This does not bode well.

 

[milky2k]

The main body looks okay, except for the top knob that is cracked right out of the box.

The handle does not look as smooth. I don't think that texture was intentional. The holes on the top don't line up perfectly with the hole in the handle. I don't know if this is important or not.

 

[milky2k]

These next pics show the play in the pin and handle. I will need to shim up these bits to tighten up that slop. I understand this may cause flat bar bends to come out crooked. Even with the largest feeler gauge there is still some play in the handle.

 

[mogandave]

Why not send it back?

 

[milky2k]

I ordered another bender from Amazon for comparison and I’ll return the worst one.

 

[619DioFan]

Maybe slightly off topic but I have the floor mount metal bender from HF. not a mini bender but works great. paid for its self first time I used it. been able to make all kinds of brackets , hooks , etc.

 

[milky2k]

I have a small work space, the HF bender is floor mounted so that won't work for me. There is a slightly smaller version called the Mighty Mite that I may get if I find myself need to make bends on larger material. Right now I just have plans for music wire and aluminum flat bars.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Here is a link to the instructions for the much copied original... https://ogict.com/bench-benders/instructions/
They work great for the smaller items you need bent. My oldest son is in elevator service and needed some wacky door lock picks made and these worked great for bending 5/16Ø 304 SS rod.

 

[InjectorService]

What about this?

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

 

[whateg01]

What about this?

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

Does that do anything besides flat?

 

[milky2k]

What about this?

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

I checked it out but I think it can only do sharp bends. The various round dies the Micromark and clones come with seem to give more options which is why I went with it. Also, its almost $200.

 

[milky2k]

Here is a link to the instructions for the much copied original... https://ogict.com/bench-benders/instructions/
They work great for the smaller items you need bent. My oldest son is in elevator service and needed some wacky door lock picks made and these worked great for bending 5/16Ø 304 SS rod.

Nice! Going to save those instructions, esp because I am totally new at this.

 

[milky2k]

So I bought the Almhs mini universal bender, one of the cheapest on Amazon. It's made in China and comes packaged in foam compared to no padding withe Micromark. The lack of padding probably contributed to the cracked knob on the Micromark. Though the finish on the body is slightly better on the Micromark, the tolerances on the Almhs seem to be better. Given the much lower price on the Almhs, its something I can live with. The handle on the Almhs is slightly better though someone got a little enthusiastic trying to grind away the excess welding.

 

[milky2k]

The hinge pin has much less play on it than the Micromark so that's good. The pins on the handle have virtually no play at all. At first I thought they were undersized because the pins would drop in the hinge hole but not on the handle. They do go in, its just a snug fit. The dies also go in with very little play compared to the Micromark. Score one for China. The last two pics show the play in the handle is still there but it certainly feels better than the Micromark. I will need to make a shim to take up that slop.

 

[milky2k]

Here are just some overall pics of the two. The Micromark body seems to be finished nicer and the plate with the two cap screws seems to be cut more square compared to the Almhs but the slop in the pin/ holes and handle really lets it down. I don't know if these are meant to be precision machines with tight tolerances so the slop may not matter. I never handled the original Duo-Mite so I can't compare it to the original. I don't even know how the materials will hold up, this is just a quick view at the two before I return the worst of the two and I will be returning the Micromark. Given the difference in price $50 for the Almhs and $120 for the Micromark I was expecting it to be $70 nicer but really even if they were the same price I would pick the Almhs. So, that's the lesson today- You don't necessarily get what you pay for. Just don't let a Snap On guy hear you say that!

 

[mogandave]

They are pretty similar, what was the price difference?

 

[milky2k]

The Micromark was $91.99, $121.20 after tax and shipping. Also, the $91.99 is the sale price, down from about $115. The Almhs was $51.99, $57.32 after tax, no additional shipping with Prime. So $40 difference prior to tax/shipping. I'm not going to get the shipping back and I have to pay to ship the Micromark back.