Topic: which tubing bender would you get?

[manjisann]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm still learning why things are built the way they are versus a different way. I want to fab some engine guards/highway bars, is there any reason why 3/16 or 1/4 flat bar stock would be a bad idea other than weight? I don't have the ability to bend tube, and haven't found a local shop that will do it. Thoughts?

Thanks,

Brandon

[mlinder]

flat stock is not nearly as crumple-resistant as steel tubing. I doubt it would protect much in an accident.

[manjisann]

Hmm, that's what I was thinking. Guess I'll let my fingers do the walking and call more places to find out who does bending.

Brandon

[razor02097]

Harbor Freight has a tube bending rig... just don't use it for exhaust tubing.  Another thing don't use that cheap iron "pipe" you find in hardware stores as the wall thicknesses can vary and you could have a weak spot.  DOM or welded seam tubing is probably your best bet, although welded seam is hard to bend without creasing from what I have heard.

[mlinder]

harbor frei8ght sells a small bender for pretty cheap. May wanna check it out.

[manjisann]

You both read my mind (sorry, it's pretty creepy in there  )  Which one would  you suggest, does anyone have any experience with any of these styles?

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpisearch/web/search.do?catPath=All%2BProducts%252F%252F%252F%252FUserSearch1%253Dbending&currentPage=1&lastPage=3&isNext=true&isPrevious=false&category=&attributeValue=&attributeName=&requestedPage=1&resultsPerPage=99&resultsPerPageBottom=99

My biggest concern is whether it will bend a small enough radius. Any why not bend exhaust tubing Razor? I will be getting my tubing from a tubing supplier that specs the wall thickness. i'm willing to cheap out on some things, but not frame tubing, too dangerous! I'm thinking either 7/8 or 1" tubing would look best.

Brandon

[754]

To get the right radius, get the right die..
 sometimes you got to make them, I just did a 2" rad for 1 inch tubing, still have to try it.

 Costs a lot of money to build parts, that why everyone is not doing it.. plus you can end up with way too much in machinery and no bike..(dont ask how I know that)

[manjisann]

Any suggestions on which tubing bender? Or would none of them give me the radius I want? I'm looking ot build highway bars, so the smaller the radius the better.

Brandon

[Alan F.]

Something more like this would be better suited, and more fun....

http://www.gottrikes.com/Tube_Bender.htm

[manjisann]

That is a nice bender, I'd love to build one and maybe some day I'll get the chance. I'm just wondering what the diff is between it and the hydrolic ones from HarborFreight, aside from being able to hook it up to a compressor?

Brandon

[razor02097]

That is a nice bender, I'd love to build one and maybe some day I'll get the chance. I'm just wondering what the diff is between it and the hydraulic ones from HarborFreight, aside from being able to hook it up to a compressor?

Brandon

The most affordable hydraulic benders use a bottle jack.  If your going to make highway bars with 7/8ths or 1" tubing you shouldn't need a hydraulic bender though you can get away with the bench mounted one and a long handle.

[manjisann]

Yeah the one from HF I am looking at uses a bottle jack. I like it because it has dies for tubing from 1/2 to 2", so I could in theory fab highway bars to custom exhaust. The other thing I like is it looks like it doesn't have to be mounted. Right now space, and especially heavy mounting space is at a premium, this looks like I could just clamp it to the picnic table and go. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, but one of these looks like the route I will take, assuming I do this at all. I am not sure how much the guy I'm fabbing these for was looking to spend, and I don't have the cash for the tool right now.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Brandon

[razor02097]

Yeah the one from HF I am looking at uses a bottle jack. I like it because it has dies for tubing from 1/2 to 2", so I could in theory fab highway bars to custom exhaust. The other thing I like is it looks like it doesn't have to be mounted. Right now space, and especially heavy mounting space is at a premium, this looks like I could just clamp it to the picnic table and go. I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet, but one of these looks like the route I will take, assuming I do this at all. I am not sure how much the guy I'm fabbing these for was looking to spend, and I don't have the cash for the tool right now.

Thanks everyone for your input!

Brandon

Don't count on bending exhaust tubing.  Since exhaust tube is welded seam not DOM it kinks easily if not completely supported on both ends, and the seam in the right spot.  I'm not saying you couldn't but just plan on buying more exhaust tube then you think you need just in case

[754]

You can bolt it to the picnic table and bend 1/2inch ...2 inch you might have to bolt to a truck, or into concrete.

Keep in  mind a bending die for 1inch PIPE will not bend 1 inch  OD tubing nicely.

 Building most bike stuff requires specific dies (radii), and its hardly ever what come in a basic kit..

 If it were easy & cheap.. everyone would be making a lot more stuff..

[razor02097]

You can bolt it to the picnic table and bend 1/2inch ...2 inch you might have to bolt to a truck, or into concrete.

Keep in  mind a bending die for 1inch PIPE will not bend 1 inch  OD tubing nicely.

 Building most bike stuff requires specific dies (radii), and its hardly ever what come in a basic kit..

 If it were easy & cheap.. everyone would be making a lot more stuff..

Your right but it depens on where you source your tubing and what kind it is.  Most tubing or pipe that is ment for stuff to go through it (exhaust, oil, water, s%^&) will measure ID, where as tubing that is ment for roll cages and such sometimes measure OD.

[manjisann]

All the lists I've been looking at quote inside and outside diameter as well as thickness. The HF benders does state pipe, so maybe it wouldn't be as ideal as I had been hoping. I'd have to go look at the things first.

Brandon

[jaknight]

manjisann

Seamless tubing would be the way you would have to go (no seam welded walls).

Larger diameter tubing, in order to get good, wrinkle free results, require an inside mandrel to support the tube walls while being bent, otherwise.... it ain't gonna look good.  It will "ripple" on you.

~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~