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Im looking at benders... manual... for a small shop (me)
Id like to bend 2 inch... even 2 1/2 if possible..

mild steel aluminum and stainless tubing

I was schooled a long time ago on a hossfeld

and I have a cheapy that I can bend small stuff on...(junk)

there are so many out there now and venders all over Pirate...

Anyone have a preference and why?

and perhaps guide me to the best deals under 1500

Many Thanks

cam

I really like the pro tools set up. I was looking all over and found that pro tools had a deal on there web page for the bender,stand,handle,degree ring and choice of one die for like $630 or so. Check them out. The HD bender will go up to 2" and there is also a hydro version for a little more $$$. Myself and a friend of mine have been working on his TJ and it is slow but it is very easy to use. I would also recommend the bend tech software. It takes all the thinking out of the bending procces.

Hope this helps

yep.. thats an option I looked at and I had heard also the bendtech software was cool...

how about you other cage builders.... ideas?

Im also doing railings and "ornametal" work... so its more than just fun stuff for the trucks

i have a 105HD... you can upgrade it to hydro later. For the time being, I'll just cancel my gym membership and do everything manually. :grin:

j

I have the JD2 and have no problems with it.ratecheting can get tedious but i dont have an extra 700 for hydro. buddie of mine had the hossfield and was nice, especially the fact that it was one motion to bend, but not worth the extra $$. the jd2 and pro-tools are exactly the same-they even use the same dies.

I have the blueprints for a JD2 style bender. pm me and I'll e-mail them to you if you want.

The JD2 only has dies up to 2" though. I was looking through the speedway motors catalog and they have a nifty hydraulic bender that isnt too expensive, you might want to look at it.

seems like all manual benders hit their max at 2 inches... perhaps the leverage needed above that gets too great unless your arnold...in his prime

speedways bender looks nice and is within the price range of all the others like it,, but it only does up 1 3/4....

we have one of those at welding school..it works ok but is cumbersome and slow

The Pro Tool is not that hard to hook hydro up to at a latter date even if you fab your own setup.

All of the 'model 3' clones out there stop at 2" diameter tubing. To bend bigger you need to step up to the Model 4.

http://vansantent.com/model_4_bender.htm

Rene

yep.. Im trying to find/get the good guy best price on it right now... looks like most everyone is within a couple of dollars of each other...
model 4 I think it is

Im waiting for van sant to respond to me off of pirate...

cam

I found their service to be very good, but I called them up on the phone and ordered my bender that way...and I also found the manual bender prices to be extremely competitive between brands and vendors.

Rene