Pipe/Tubing Bender

[Bert]

What do you guys use to bend pipe and tubing?
1) I want a good pipe bender to bend 1 1/4" to 2" sch 40 for truck racks:
WITHOUT KINKS OR CREASES!!! (I've seen and used those from e-bay
that look lilke different size horshoes, pump below that pushes up, but the
rollers on the sides leave creases/kinks. the good mandrel ones are over
$5,000 (too much right now)
2) Tubing bender: just thinner walled pipe right? need to bend kinda tight
curves to moderate bends in 1" to 2" aluminum...
thanks,
bert

[bob_e95482]

At my buddies brothers shop they replaced the round rollers with square blocks that they said eliminated creases.

[TS-Off-Road]

I have a Pro-Tools #105 that I use to bend 1"x.065" Aluminum tube and it does a beautiful job.

[dabar39]

Bert

I have learned that if fill the pipe completely with sand it will help avoid the kinks and flattening of the pipe when you use the cheap benders like the ones you are talking about. Dave

[KB Fabrications]

I have the Pro-Tools HD105 and can highly recommend it. I have bent material ranging from 5/8" x .035" 4130 to 2" schedule 40 aluminum. I paid $2700 for my initial package which included 4 dies and all the hydraulics. I also use it for production work that I do. Just some examples of what I do.

[Bert]

Guys! thanks a lot!!! LOVE your stands !!!
1) Have you tried it with schedule 40 mild steel? If you did, please let me
know! 'cause if it does, I will DEFINATELY buy it! (of course, I'll let my
friend pay half, 'cause that is what a nice guy I am ).

2) Where did you buy it, off pro-tools website? I'd be surprised if the
package came with 4 dies AND the hydraulic ram...or

3) Did you buy everything seperate and it came up to $2700?

thanks in advance,
bert

[Bert]

Oh, KB FAB,
Your 1st pic was entitled "Even sweeter bender unit". I'm guessing your still talking about the 105, right?
bert

[Bert]

Sorry, I meant to add, 2" sched 40 mild steel....
bert
p.s. like that Foster's can in there
KB, your shop still blows me away

[Bert]

Dave,
what do YOU use? Tried the fine sand before, better, but not nice enough...

Bob, thanks, I'll try that on my friends roller...

TS, thanks

KB, b-e-a-utiful towers!

guys, sorry for the differrent threads
bert

[KB Fabrications]

Guys! thanks a lot!!! LOVE your stands !!!
1) Have you tried it with schedule 40 mild steel? If you did, please let me
know! 'cause if it does, I will DEFINATELY buy it! (of course, I'll let my
friend pay half, 'cause that is what a nice guy I am ).

2) Where did you buy it, off pro-tools website? I'd be surprised if the
package came with 4 dies AND the hydraulic ram...or

3) Did you buy everything seperate and it came up to $2700?

thanks in advance,
bert

I have not tried 2" schedule 40 steel so I can't speak to that. I did buy my unit directly from Pro-Tools and yes, the whole package came to $2700. It was a little over a year ago so prices may have gone up since then.

Oh, KB FAB,
Your 1st pic was entitled "Even sweeter bender unit". I'm guessing your still talking about the 105, right?
bert

Yes I was. Thanks for the compliments on my work and the shop.

[Bert]

TS and KB,
1)which hydraulic accessory did you buy? I see they have several. Makes my head swim
2)Is the 302 a better version of the 105???
3)KB, what other parts/accessories did you buy?
thanks in advance
bert

[Black Wolf]

Pipe Template Software

Bert,

I came across a website some time ago that you will find helpful. It will generate templates that you print off and cut out to make angled intersections of pipe. Much more efficient and professional than cutting v's with a grinder and filling gap with weld. I transferred my paper templates onto some thin red metallic strips I found up here to make it even easier. If you need specs on pipe I.D. O.D. or wall thickness, just print off schedule of pipe page from Mathey Dearman.

Pipe Template Software
http://www.harderwoods.com/pipetemplate.php

Hopefully the link works off my post, I'm still new here. I know the link works manually.

Later,

[TS-Off-Road]

I bought all mine separate over time. It started out as a manual unit. The Air/Hydro unit is from a shop crane, I fabbed the brackets for it and the stand. KB's full hydro is the best unit for a rotary draw bender, and a lot faster, but if your on a budget and don't use it for everyday production, the air/hydro works well. I have less than $200 into the conversion. As far as bending 2" schedule 40 pipe, the 105's largest pipe die is 1.5" (1.9" O.D.). I don't believe the 302 will bend over 90*. The 105 will bend to 180*.

[Bert]

TS & Black Wolf,
THANKS A LOT GUYS for the info
BW, that pipe calculator is awsome!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to use it until I get my nibbler or hole saw...THANKS!!!

TS: which is supposed to be a better bender? 105 or 302?
thanks,
bert

[Bert]

Black Wolf,
Whose Mathey Dearman? and how do I download those specs?
thanks again,
bert