Tubing bender, dies, etc

[rattle_snake]

Looking at getting a bender setup, like a JD2, Pro-tools or similar. Use is mainly automotive; chassis, cross-members, etc.

Don't have room for a dedicated stand so want to convert to HF air/hydraulic. Looked at many options for ram mounts including the swag unit. Probably make my own because I'm cheap. Is a return spring a must have?

Pondered going vertical or horizontal, or even perhaps configurable to do both. How solid does a cart/stand need to be to bend accurately? Can a engine stand be used? It already has provisions to rotate. I'll be fabricating whatever is needed.


Dies. Should I get all 180* dies? Since they are around $300 each, I want to start with a pair and buy as needed later. Thinking 1" and 1.5. I know roll cages are typically 1.75. So maybe 1.75 and 1.25....


Does the degree wheel work well enough? Angle finder better (only vertical)?
Any particular good bender software?

Any input appreciated, thanks.

 

[silverj53]

Looking at getting a bender setup, like a JD2, Pro-tools or similar. Use is mainly automotive; chassis, cross-members, etc.

Don't have room for a dedicated stand so want to convert to HF air/hydraulic. Looked at many options for ram mounts including the swag unit. Probably make my own because I'm cheap. Is a return spring a must have?

Pondered going vertical or horizontal, or even perhaps configurable to do both. How solid does a cart/stand need to be to bend accurately? Can a engine stand be used? It already has provisions to rotate. I'll be fabricating whatever is needed.


Dies. Should I get all 180* dies? Since they are around $300 each, I want to start with a pair and buy as needed later. Thinking 1" and 1.5. I know roll cages are typically 1.75. So maybe 1.75 and 1.25....


Does the degree wheel work well enough? Angle finder better (only vertical)?
Any particular good bender software?

Any input appreciated, thanks.

Bend-Tech Pro is a great program, fairly easy to use but pricey.

 

[silverj53]

Also i use a vertical homeade bender with an air over hydraulic cylinder from harbor freight, and a magnetic digital angle gauge. I have good success with the setup.

 

[dr_clyde]

I use a JD² model 3.

It is a very good bender for the money.

Buy 180° dies, there will be times you want more than a 90° bend.

I have never used the hydraulic on a JD², we always just anchored the bender to a heavy bench. You have more fine control with a manual, its harder to sneak up on a bend with the hydro. Sometimes you just need to bump a degree or two.

The degree protractor is accurate enough for custom work, I wouldn't want to use it for production bending. It is fairly simple, just a piece of welding wire held over a protractor head. You set zero before bending and stop when the wire is over your desired degree.

 

[Bretny]

I built benders that took jd2 dies but is thicker metal snd wider plates. I still have 2 that i can sell. They come with the HF long ram adapter. Pm me if interested.

Mine is setup on a moveable stand with a pivot. It takes up very little room and folds up verticaly. Its basicly a pipe with 4 legs that have screws for fine tuneing level with a pivot at the top. It uses a 3/4in bolt for the pivot.

I use a engine degree wheel for the degree wheel. Also you do need a return spring. This is a garage door spring with a paracord safety.

 

[Craftfab]

I use a JD2 Model 32 electric/hydraulic. Just got it a few months ago and very please so far. I need everything to be on wheels so I went with hydraulic vs manual. 180 degree dies because they are not much more than 90 degree and I felt worth the investment. Most stands are very similar to an engine stand with a thick flat plate on top to mount. JD2 has a PDF they will send customers wanting to build a stand for their benders. I started with 1" and 1.5" dies for a mix of furniture and automotive projects (I'm just a hobbyist). My next die will be 1.75".

 

[jdewitt]

No real experience to speak of, but I really like the design of the Hossfeld #2 bender. Looks quite versatile.

This old Tony video:

 

[Ign]

Yes get all 180 dies.

I think the degree wheel *****, never had any luck or repeatability with it. A scale to measure actual travel works far better and I do use this for production.

 

[Wanna Ride]

Looking to buy a bender in the next few days and want to ask some questions: I'm only using it for personal projects and maybe a few paid jobs here and there. I won't be using it daily, but I also want it to be reliable for when I do use it. Not opposed to using it manually, but I'm open to upgrading to hydraulic it later. Maybe right out of the gate, it just depends, I suppose. Anyone have and regularly use a Woodward Fab bender? How about the SWAG stuff? I've got a few other SWAG items (the portaband saw table), and that stuff seems to be ok. What about some other less-expensive brands, or should I just go ahead and get a something else? I'm ok with spending a little more if necessary, but not just because.

Post up some pics of yours and the stands, etc for ideas.