What tubbing / cage bender??

[68 HEMI GTS]

what are you do it yourselfers using? I was looking at a jd2. I plan on adding some bars to the dart and want to bend them myself. Plus I have some other future projects in mind.

Thanks

 

[metalman]

Not exactly a do it your selfer (hot rod shop) but we use Mittler Brothers. Had the smaller one, worked really well but would only bend about 100 degrees, did everything I wanted on door cars. Started doing some dragsters/ altereds and need full hoops, stepped up to their bigger one that will bend 180. Love it although the smaller one was easier to use. Never used one but have heard several guys use the JD2 without complaints, don't know how they compare price wise.
No matter which bender, get one and all your race buddies will be wanting "favors"!

 

[Cranky]

I have the JD2.....but so far, I've never used it lol. See them in action and used one that belonged to someone else. Got a strong back? If not, put hydraulics on it or a very long pull bar. You also need to have good grip with your hands and feet (shoes that is). I made a base to mount mine on that's portable. It's made with 5"x5" square tube with a 1/2" thick plate on the tube. Basically, it's a skid that can be winched up on a trailer. That way my buds can borrow it so long as they lay down a deposit! Actually, I used to have a fairly large storage building and had planned on keeping it down there until I needed it or just work in it. Right now my tire changer is mounted to the skid base....

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

Good info, thanks cranky! Sounds like I want hydroulics

 

[moparpoor]

If your just doing it once in a while. The Woodward fab works great. Just up grade to the 180 dies. You can add a hydraulic ram from harbor freight. I'll send some pics.

 

[moparpoor]

 

[Budnicks]

I don't have anything currently,
I use to use a buddies Don Tourte's,
it was portable, I just added a couple of anchors to my floor,
he had mandrel dies {not cheap} & was electric over Hydraulic...

Can't remember the brand either,
most of his stuff was partially home made anyway...
I know he added the ram & foot controls,
he also added a good protractor/scale/gauge to it too

use lube too, don't do the pipes/bends dry

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

If your just doing it once in a while. The Woodward fab works great. Just up grade to the 180 dies. You can add a hydraulic ram from harbor freight. I'll send some pics.

I'll look into that one!

 

[moparpoor]

If you do get one let me know. I drive by them everyday. I can grab it save on shipping their only open during the week. It's a knock off so you can use pro tools dies

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

If you do get one let me know. I drive by them everyday. I can grab it save on shipping their only open during the week. It's a knock off so you can use pro tools dies

Ok awesome!!

 

[Homstead]

I have the JD2 and have had it for almost 20 years. Its built a lot of roll cages over the years and have zero complaints. Their customer service (at least at that time) was great! I have about a 4ft handle and bending 1 5/8 or 1 3/4 mild steel .125 wall isn't a problem. Chrome-moly on the other hand is tougher. I wouldn't mind having a hydraulic on it for that but I can get it done, its just more work. Like someone said, always lube the tubing before you start bending. I use wd-40 or something equivalent. Anyway just my .02 cents. Good luck with whatever you buy!

 

[Hemirunner]

My JD2 model 3 has the SWAG offroad conversion clamp for the harbor freight air over hydraulic cylinder and all my dies are 180 degree and most will go a little more. There are lots of pics in my superbird thread.

 

[not so famous bob]

My JD2 model 3 has the SWAG offroad conversion clamp for the harbor freight air over hydraulic cylinder and all my dies are 180 degree and most will go a little more. There are lots of pics in my superbird thread.

if your doing just one , borrow a conduit bender from an electrician. I did, worked great on my 1 3/4" mild steel tubing !

 

[malex]

I purchased the JD2 when I did mine. It's definitely is a pretty good pull when making your bends. I slid a length of tubing over the handle and that worked slick. Used it only the one time but it's there for the next time now.

 

[Hemirunner]

Very nice! The air over hydraulic was the way to go for me in a crowded shop with floor heat. No drilling and no need to have the bender confined to one location. My shop is so full, I've had to let the bender move while bending because the long tube couldn't!