pipe bending for roll cage applications.

Just curious, I've noticed the preferred tool is the jd benders for building roll cages, but I was wondering if a tool like this could be used?

Looks like the main limitation is the way it's mounted but was curious if any on has used one of these to get your bends on 1.75" tubing?

 

We bought one here at work for some railings. With SCH 40 pipe all it wanted to do was kink the pipe like a muffler shop bends.

Bought a Hausfeld bend and it bends like a mandrel bender.

Andrew

 

That is a pipe bender not a tubing bender. I have one and played with it. You can do small bends in tubing or bigger bends in pipe 1/2 to 1 1/2 in. but it would be tough to do a cage with one. It does not like to bend 90s in anything but small pipe.

 

I am using a greenlee conduit bender that I borrowed. If you know a commercial electrician they may have one they can loan you. I still haven't dialed it in completely but it bends very nicely. Look at this thread to see what I using

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65448

 

anyone tried this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=99736

 

A roller and a bender are two different things. You really wouldn't build a cage with a roller unless you were going for broad, sweeping arcs.

Guys have used the pipe benders. I've seen plenty of rigs on the trail built with them. It'll get the job done, but it's not ideal.

Better to scour the 4x4 community site classifieds, fabrication site classifieds, etc if you want used and pick up an M-Tech, JD2, or similar mandrel bender and die set. You can sometimes pick up a used one for $200-$300 with one or two die set if somebody upgrades to a hydro bender or a shop closes.

For the average Jeep, you can get by with just one 1-3/4 die set for most jobs. I usually only break out the 1-1/2 die for cross bars, seat mounts, or sometimes crossmembers builds. Hardly use the 1-inch die, but it's nice to have in case I wanna build the kids a go kart or something. In hindsight a 1-1/4 die would've been better 'cause that's a better size for seat mounts.