Tubing benders
#2127364
08/07/16 08:39 PM
08/07/16 08:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243 Charlotte, North Carolina
sgcuda
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243
Charlotte, North Carolina
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So, I'm thinking about buying a tubing bender to build my own cage. Maybe I'll bend and weld some roll bars up for the locals to help offset the cost, too. I'm looking between JD2 and Woodward Fab. Woodward is a couple hundred dollars cheaper (bender, stand, dies), plus available from Summit with free shipping. Dies are all 120 degree setups. JD2 has 90 degree and 180 degree dies, with 180 degree dies being the recommended purchase. Anyone ever do any side by side comparisons? Both seem like decent units. I've read a couple of reviews from Woodward customers that mentioned components bending or breaking, but Woodward stepped right up and shipped out replacement parts ASAP, no repeat failures.
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: sgcuda]
#2127514
08/07/16 11:27 PM
08/07/16 11:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,739 Fulton County, PA
CMcAllister
Mr. Helpful
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Mr. Helpful
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,739
Fulton County, PA
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I have a JD Squared Model 3 with a hydraulic conversion that we engineered and built ourselves. Purchased in the early 90s and would not consider anything else except for maybe an upgraded machine from JD.
We have used this machine for 1.75 4130 down to .75 thin wall stuff. This machine makes smoother, nicer bends than some I've seen on high end stuff (think Top Fuel). Our hydraulics are very controllable and it's fairly easy to get things bent exactly as needed. Different bend radius and sweep angle dies available for all sizes. My big dies are 90 (actually about 100) degrees with the smaller sizes being 180s. That tooling is where you get money tied up. Steel dies instead of aluminum and are easy to re-polish if needed. All parts and dies are still available, nothing has gone obsolete. And it's made in the USA.
Maybe I'm missing something, but I expect anything that would do a nicer job than this would have to be a high dollar production machine. We had a machine like the "One Shot". Got rid of it after one job. Bought this and never looked back. Like any tool, the more you use it, the better operator you become. You have to learn how to make things mirror image working from a centerline, multiple bends in a piece and keeping it from having a twist (main hoops), compound bends (A pillar bars), fitting, working with springback of different materials, the math and formulas, etc. Expect to waste some material along the way.
Last edited by CMcAllister; 08/07/16 11:34 PM.
If the results don't match the theory, change the theory.
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: sgcuda]
#2127570
08/08/16 12:04 AM
08/08/16 12:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243 Charlotte, North Carolina
sgcuda
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,243
Charlotte, North Carolina
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I, for one, know very well that when jumping into anything new, there is always a learning curve. Tubing thrown away after making different bends isn't a "waste". It is helping me learn to make the best cage possible for my car, and maybe others. It seems that the JD2 unit is the big winner, hands down. Are there any other sources for purchase besides factory direct that might offer discounts? Any Moparts members a wholesaler for them?
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: Forest]
#2127593
08/08/16 12:23 AM
08/08/16 12:23 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,123 Byron, NY
W.I.N. Racing
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,123
Byron, NY
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I have the JD2 model 32 with hydraulics. It is a very nice bender. I have 5 dies and have never purchased more than 1 at a time and they always come with in a week of order... I have a few more dies but never had to wait when I needed one.
'01 P1500, Blown/Inj BAE,/Veney ,Bruno/CS2,Dana 60 '01 Dodge 3500 S Cummins Auto, Fresh air kit, 4" Exhaust, '05 Dodge Magnum R/T - Too Much to list '60 Willys CJ5 '01 International LPX - Project,DT466, Allison '64 Plymouth Valiant, Inj 528 Hemi, 2spd
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: sgcuda]
#2127597
08/08/16 12:28 AM
08/08/16 12:28 AM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I had the JD model 104(they dont make it anymore) with the air over hyd... if you plan on bending moly get the hyd unit... with out it you will kill yourself trying to bend moly..... I built a lot of stuff with it.. all my dies were 120*... sold the whole thing about a year ago (after I got done with the Rampage)
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: sgcuda]
#2127757
08/08/16 11:50 AM
08/08/16 11:50 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,049 MN
JERICOGTX
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,049
MN
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I have a JD2 bender also. I ordered all my stuff on eBay. No real discounts on any of it, but the dies can be found in stock on there. If you are new to bending, look at the www.pirate4x4.com site for tips on bending. It will save you a lot of time, and wasted material. Jeff
Last edited by JERICOGTX; 08/08/16 11:51 AM.
69 GTX
68 Road Runner
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: Hessu]
#2127782
08/08/16 12:24 PM
08/08/16 12:24 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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I did that trick on a couple of sizes.. I actually stacked 2 tubes into each other to get a smaller size tube in.... one thing that guys need to know... lube the dies with grease so it will slide EDIT This is another tool you will need when bending for the rotation
Last edited by MR_P_BODY; 08/08/16 12:29 PM.
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: sgcuda]
#2127800
08/08/16 12:54 PM
08/08/16 12:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,049 MN
JERICOGTX
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,049
MN
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What is that called Mike? I NEED one. What I have done has worked, but that is a must have.
Jeff
69 GTX
68 Road Runner
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: JERICOGTX]
#2127806
08/08/16 01:02 PM
08/08/16 01:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972 Romeo MI
MR_P_BODY
Master
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Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 52,972
Romeo MI
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What is that called Mike? I NEED one. What I have done has worked, but that is a must have.
Jeff its just a inclineometer... any place that sells bending equipment has them... put it on the tube and while its still in the bend(just back off the spring back then zero it.. then move the tube to the next bend location and rotate the tube to what you what... like on a main hoop it will be zero the whole time
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Re: Tubing benders
[Re: MR_P_BODY]
#2127815
08/08/16 01:16 PM
08/08/16 01:16 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,049 MN
JERICOGTX
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,049
MN
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I usually just use a digital level for doing main hoops to keep them from twisting, but that tool would be perfect when you want to have twist, like the A pillar bars. I have it saved in my eBay searches now.
Thanks for posting that.
69 GTX
68 Road Runner
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