Harbor Freight Tube Benders & Rollers???

[~JM~]

Anyone here have any first hand experience with either of these tools?

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

http://www.harborfreightusa.com/usa/...bCategoryName=

I'd really like to know if they are worth pursuing. Looks like they might work well, at least for exhaust pipe construction.

Thanks

[Oldsalt]

The roller bender sure looks like a nice machine at $180...that's not all that bad IF the rollers for a given tubeing size aren't overpriced. To make frames a set for 7/8" diameter tube would be the minimum requirement. I'm guessing that it will handle tubeing with wall thickness a lot greater than EMT. Don't see no specs.

[Smallbore]

The second one may say TUBING BENDER, but its pretty much a conduit bender. The top one is much better but i think there is still a better option. I use a Hossfeld but unless your willing to drop 2 grand for a bender and dies thats not an option. There are however 2 low dollar options for you. 1- take a look at the JD2 from JD Squared. Very good machine and can be had for about $300.00 plus dies. Also....take a look at the floor bender that Harbor Freight sells for $99.00 or $79.00 when it is on sale. It will do flat stock making it more versitle, Plus do your tubing. Harbor Freight does not sell tube dies, but the JD and the Hossfeld dies will work on that machine. I have a metal fabrication shop and made all my own dies. 12 sets in all. If you get the $99.00 special (79 on sale) send me a PM and maybe i can make you an Alloy set for about $60.00 the Alloy dies wear out quicker but unless you plan on making 5,000 frames, they will work just fine for your needs. Here`s the link to the floor bender Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

[rudedog]

On that roller bender, couldn't one theoretically make the roll diameter "tighter", like 2.5-3" if the two outer wheels were moved inward a little bit??

[~JM~]

I've looked at that floor mount model & was under the impression that it was intended for solid bar stock only & not for tubing.

I was hoping the pair of pliers type, conduit bender would handle bending up exhaust pipe.

[Smallbore]

Originally Posted by ~JM~

I've looked at that floor mount model & was under the impression that it was intended for solid bar stock only & not for tubing.

I was hoping the pair of pliers type, conduit bender would handle bending up exhaust pipe.

Hmm... I guess you could give it a try, just dont expect a very sharp radius with it. Take a look at the Hossfeld page and click on "tooling options" at the top of page. That will give you a better idea of what this bender can do. The Harbor Freight is just a smaller version of it. Hossfeld Manufacturing offers iron benders, metal benders and pipe bending dies.

[Smallbore]

Here`s What i use... The 7/8 set you see is for 3, 4, and 5" radius

[dobber]

Originally Posted by Smallbore

Here`s What i use... The 7/8 set you see is for 3, 4, and 5" radius

Wow Smallbore, 60 bucks sounds like a cheap price for that set of dies...

[Smallbore]

Actually.... 1 set would be 3 pieces and consist of 1-Holding block, 1- follower die (outside one with the X on it) and 1- forming die (center) in either 3,4, or 5 inch radius, and the tube size requested. Additional center dies could be had for $20.00 each. For the 3 pieces that`s still cheap ! Go to eBay and look up HOSSFELD. There's a guy ( screen name: jabburd) that sells a steel 3 piece set in 1 inch for $150.00 I'm not in the die business but merely offering someone some help if they need it. Here's a photo of some dies on a Harbor Freight machine...

[briggs_boy]

from my experience and use of harbor freight hydraulic pipe benders i can personally say that i think they are worth it .