has anybody used one of those cheapo pipe/tube benders from like northern hydraulics? i'm thinking about building some bumpers for this 4runner once i get the motor in. probably make them out of 1 3/4 inch 11 gauge tube.

do they work ok? worth the money?
BENDER

 

we built a rollcage for a Fairmont one time.... it did OK it'll dimple the metal where the die is at but nothing real noticable..... it'll work especially if you are going to weld diamondplate to it.... ours was a good enough job to pass NHRA tech in Gainsville FL.... and we used Boiler Tubing....

 

i have used one before to help a buddy build a prerunner bumper for his four runner and it worked very well, not the fastest thing around but i sure wish i had one in my garage, ah i mean shed!!

 

thanks for the input guys. i'm not too worried about a lil dimple here and there. think i'm gonna go buy one soon as i get this thing up and running.

 

We have one at work like that, it does pretty good job from what little I have used it..........just make sure ya know where to put the bends and all...........I remember messing that up :mad2:

 

yah i'm positive i'm going to screw that up a few times in the process of learning. never done it before. shoul dbe interesting at the least.

 

As long as you use thick wall tubing or pipe it is ok. It won't bent 4130 x .065 wall at all however.

 

if you fill the tubing with sand and cap the ends before you bend it it shouldent dimple...

 

those benders should be called the "kink-o-matic"......
Protools makes a sweet bender....http://www.pro-tools.com/105.htm
little more pricey tho

 

yah just a little bit.......