Tubing Bender

Hey guys,

Has anyone built their own tubing bender for roll cages? My buddy wants to build one to he can put a roll cage in his XJ. Parts/material list would be appreciated along with pics. I did a search, and didn't come up with anything too related.

 

Buy some elbows and pipe and weld it cut the angles you need if you want to bend pipe its pretty expensive just a opnion

 

These plans have some good reviews; I've actually seen one used (built by a friend) and it did work as advertised.
http://www.gottrikes.com/Tube_Bender.htm

 

By the time you consider the cost and the materials you are running around $400 without the dies.

This is what I have been drooling over and will order it when I need it.

http://www.amazon.com/Northcoast-To...OCU2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1304258338&sr=8-5

I have seen it running around 600 without the dies on other sites figure I can get some 1 3/4 dies for it for under $300.

 

How complicated is your tube frame? If you don't have a uber mess of tubes just talk with your local 4x4 shop with your measurements and see how much it would cost for the tube and them to bend it.


I am no strong man and really don't have the patience for this type of "clicker" bender.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html
But a lot of people do have them they are a perfectly good bender(as long as you dont mind mounting it to the floor) and you do find them used(with the dies sometimes) for around $300.

 

I forget how he wants to make it. I'll show him this thread and let him decide.

 

Look in this thread. He built one, and it is documented well.

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?35039-Just-a-small-project

 

Thanks guys for the responses!

 

www.AffordableBender.com


check this out

 

This was a couple of years ago but:
After researching, found with time/money/bla bla bla, that the Pirate board (PBB) has some venders that cut very nice deals.
I got a manual Pro-tool bender HD, 1 1/5" 120 die (I would suggest 240 dies) and deg wheel ship to the front door for ~$608. The die is going to cost $250+, so 300 for the bender isn't overly bad when you start adding up grinder wheels, wire, gas, time, and a finished job.
The stand was homemade.
As for hydraulic, a air-over hydraulic (Habor Freight special) cylinder was used and adapted similar to the Cooper(something) kit that is sold for about $80 or made out of 3" pipe and scrap. Being Hyd. it doesn't need to be bolted down and casters can be used on the bottom to roll around the shop.

Here is a thread on DIY hyd.:
http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7946&highlight="hyd*+bender"