tubing benders, JD2 vs. Pro-tools ?

[mikeyr]

Looking for a tubing bender, initially I need to bend some 3/4" square tubing but I will move up quickly to 1.5 maybe 1.75 tubing as my project progresses.

I have been looking at the JD2 model 3 (about $500 ) for complete tool with stand, etc. I recently found the Pro-tools bender, looks about the same and I found a place on the web for about the same price +/- $30 by the time it gets to my house. Both of those prices are without dies which cost $150-200 each.

The biggest issue is I am really tight for space, I will have to bolt this thing outside in the driveway and let it rot in the weather or move it in and out every time I want to use it which will not be often after my project is done. Ok, I doubt I would leave it in the rain So I was considering a hydraulic option for either one which gets me to $1,500 but then it does not have to bolted down and I don't have to have that long leverage bar so I can put it in quite a few places in my shop.

I don't know what to do, I have decided to buy one rather than take tube in and get it bent and go home and figure it what/where it needs more/less bending and go back and do that a dozen times, the smaller hydraulic units that both of these companies sell will not work for me as they will not beyond 90degrees. Hydraulic is a option for me but I really would prefer to not buy the hydraulic option and buy another tool with the money (Think English Wheel )

Looking to start a small discussion on 2 things, hydro vs. manual and more importantly right now, JD2 or Pro-tools ? JD2 seems to have a better tool reputation but Pro-tools seems to have a better customer relations/support.

http://www.jd2.com/m3b.htm

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

 

[dragginbalz]

I love my 105. I have had it for a few years. I am just a hobbiest and I use it manually. I do however have some 24V hydraulic pumps sitting in my garage so I will probably convert it over(someday) I have dies for 1.250, 1.5 and 1.75 round. It works awesome

t

 

[TNToy]

Go look through the shop & tool talk forum on Pirate4x4.com

There's a bunch of us 4wd nuts around who've built cages for ourselves and our friends. And a lot of the semi-pro guys hang out there.

After that, go over to the vendor's showcase forum. There are some phenomenal deals on JD2 and PT equipment to be found over there.

 

[Cebby]

IMO, the JD2 vs ProTools conversation is like the Lincoln vs Miller one. They are both great units, both companies stand behind their products, customer service is good at both. Which one is closer? (save some $ on shipping).

I did a homebrew hydro conversion before I bent one stick. I wanted the freedom to put it where I wanted, plus I don't have alot of room to work with - the hydro setup allows me to work in less space. It's nice and fast and plenty powerfull for bending DOM. If/when I overtax the stock JD2 arms, I'll just have some waterjet cut out of 3/4.

I followed Jay K's writeup and made some alterations to what he did. My writeup link is in my sig under articles.

 

[mikeyr]

I have been hanging around the Pirate forum for a about a year now and seen a few deals come, nothing so great that I had to buy right away but I will most likely get my bender from one of them or webcrawlers since they do give a break on the price. Been looking for over a year for a used one of either model and not found one so its time to buy new.

I really want the hydro since I am so tight on shop space (3 cars in 2 car garage plus tools, lots of tools) but can't justify the expense when its a tool that I will not use very often after the initial project.

 

[TNToy]

I will say this: Go with electric-vero-hydro, not air-over-hydro.

I use Dan Dibble's bender for all my stuff, which is a JD2 with their air/hydro conversion kit. Given that it cost me $0 I don't tend to complain too much... but it has drawbacks.

You really need at least a 60gal. compressor for an air-powered setup, and it has to re-pin TWICE to bend a 90. If I build myself one someday, it'll be electric-powered and have just enough reach to bend about 95 degrees in one shot. (Remember, the tubing will spring-back a few degrees when you release tension on it... so add that in if you DIY on the hydro).

 

[mikeyr]

at this point I am thinking manual but if I go hydro it will have to be air-over-hydro. I understand the issues vs. electric but for a tool that will sit unused 11 1/2 months of the year after the initial project, I have to limit the cost somewhere. My compressor is a really nice, really big 80gal and will spit out enough air with no worries to power it.

I have 1 big project waiting for a lot of 3/4 square tubing to be bent, a few smaller projects for 1 1/2" plain old tube waiting for "it would be nice to bend that instead of cut/weld" but after those projects, I see the thing sitting unused for long periods of time. At this point, manual and bolted out in the backyard somewhere so it can rust out on me Wife has given approval for a hydro unit but it means no English Wheel.

 

[REFLEXX]

There's always the DIY method:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3373&highlight=diy+tube+bender

 

[TNToy]

Here's another build-up of the gottrikes.com style of bender that Reflexx built. A little more detail, and a couple of other guys who've used similar styles chime in, too...

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=376183&highlight=bender

 

[mikeyr]

The few tools I have built have been a good experience for me, sometimes I spent more than buying but got a better tool, always I spent way more time building it than I ever expected but ended up with a better tool

In this case, I no longer have the time to spend and since I have never bent a single piece of steel (well I have cut/welded to make a curves so I guess I have "bent" steel) I don't want to be guessing, This time, best for me is to buy a bender so I don't have to guess how to build (even with good plans you still should have an idea of how the tool works) and technical support if I need it.

On this project, I need it to work first time every time and I need to be finished quickly for the next stage (motor comes back in 2 weeks, body in 3-4 weeks). So sorry guys, this time I can't build. I am making a mistake I think and going for the Pro-tools 105HD manual, that leaves me enough cash for some other tools that I will need, going with Hydro would not leave me enough cash for the other tools. Unfortunately, manual means the thing will be outside in the weather bolted in the driveway.

 

[muddy]

Sorry to be late to the conversation, but I'll add in there a Mittler Bros. Machine and Tool air over hydraulic unit.....many nextel cup shops have them, and I've had one for over ten years..........all his fabrication tools are first rate and worth the higher price........ Keith

 

[TNToy]

Why do you keep saying it will be out in the weather? UN-bolt it from the driveway and toss it in the attic. They don't take up very much space when you don't have a 20-foot stick of tubing fed through them.

 

[mikeyr]

hmm, Mittler has a small 1" max bender for $300 that includes one die of my choice. I may go that route for the immediate project and then ebay it when its time for the larger material, thanks for the suggestion that I look at mittler

and Tnt, the reason I keep saying that is because I am lazy, once its out there bolted I know it will be out there a lot. Yes, if I know I wont need it for a few weeks I will bring it but I bet it stays out when I might need again in a day or 2. I am one of the laziest people you will ever meet, I am also one of the cheapest and I wont let a pretty brand new tool rot if I can help it.