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EXOSKELETON PICS!!!

For what it's worth, that is a "pipe bender" not a "tubing bender" and the "thingamabobbers" are called "dies". Tubing and pipe use different measuring systems (I.D. vs. O.D.) and the pipe dies do not fit the tubing right. This will generally make an acceptable bend but, since you typically will have to select a die that is a little too big, it will make bends that are sort of flattened out. This cause the bends to be considerably weaker than those made with a correct tubing die.

Now, I'm no expert but this is what I have been told since I started sniffing around for a bender recently. For a race car, this is probably important, if you crack up at 100+ you want as much strength around you as you can get. For what we do, which generally leads to relatively slow (low impact) rolls, maybe the pipe bender is ok.

Bad Dog

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, NP205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Soon: 4" lift, 40" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
Oh, one other thing. I'm also told that those pipe benders will not work at all on thinner walled tubing. .125 is about the thinnest that can be reliably bent and not collapse and/or crimp, or so I'm told...

Bad Dog

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, NP205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Soon: 4" lift, 40" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
i dont have the money either thats why i was seeing if the harbor frieght one worked...what size type and wall thickness are u using....im getn my exo done in decatur right now.....and im ready to get it shoot me an email when u get some more trips planed out
adam [email protected]

ROCKBUGGY K5 38S LOCKED AND CHOPPED
 
Here is some good info on benders.
http://www.pro-tools.com/pro_model_105_mechanical_.htm that I think I like better. I'm thinking I may have 3 hoops bent out of 2x.120 (front, main, rear) and then do the rest (braces, "body" cage, etc.) in 1.75x.120. Then I can buy a single bender die/notcher for 1.75 and do it myself. Maybe I'll just do the whole thing in 1.75, I'm still thinking and debating right now...

Bad Dog

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, NP205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Soon: 4" lift, 40" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
That is looking good. I really like the front bumper. It gives off that Baja look, but is strong enough for wheeling.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.blazen91.coloradok5.com>http://www.blazen91.coloradok5.com</A>
Protect the land FOR the people
Not FROM the people
 
This bender is pretty popular on the POR Board <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.jd2.com/M3B.htm>http://www.jd2.com/M3B.htm</A>. A non-hydraulic setup with 1 set of dies is about $500.00.

BIGJ
 
What kind of seats you have in that thing? How hard were they to put in? I'm looking for seating options in my 84.
 
Well, I am not about to get into a tech match with any one about will or wont the bender work. The bender I am using has a 2" die. The tubing I am using is 2" O.D. tubing, 1.5" I.D.(yes 1/4"). I have been practicing with tubing and learned wich bends to make so that I dont flatten or smash the tubing. Yes I know it isn't perfect. Not the ideal way to do it. If I had 500.00 bucks to spend on the "other" type of bender I promise I would. Now, I am confident with the work and the cage that I am doing, I am confident in its ability I and its limitations. I understand that i will not be able to race in NASCAR with it. As I mentioned before , the tubing is 1/4", it is heavy, I am using this tubing because I new that the bender may not be the perfect bender. I am also going to be adding plenty of gussetts and crossbracing. Like I said earlier, I know its limitations, that being said I also know the limitations of my rig. I know that this cage is not going to make me any more apt to try an obstacle. But , HOLY CRAP I love the way it looks!!!!! I also will say that I definatley feel safer with the cage. Anyways, thanx for the all the responses and the encouragement.
Oh yah, the seats are out of a 1995 Toyota Celica GT. I will soon be replacing them with the RCI buckets that have sitting in my den. I will be adding onto the inner cage and mounting the seats to them. I will be selling the Celica seats when I get them wrong. OK, see yall later, NASH

dklogo.gif

http://autotronixcaraudio.com
 
Hey, don't get me wrong about the tubing vs. pipe. I wasn't beating on you about using the pipe bender and it is obvious that it will work since we can see your pics (thanks for the pics!). I like the way your stuff looks and I might even go with the cheaper bender myself. Depends on what I can spare when I get ready to start on that sort of stuff. $100 looks much better than $500+ and using the heavier tubing may yield a stronger cage anyway. Hehe, as of yet, I don't even have a welder in my new shop, much less a bender so your way ahead of me!
smile.gif


Anyway, I was only pointing that stuff out for others who may not know the difference or what those decisions imply. Sorry if I came accross as trying to start a "tech match". Just trying to help out.

Bad Dog

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, NP205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Soon: 4" lift, 40" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
That's the same one My bud has that helped me make my cage. He figured out a neet trick to keep from dimpling on the rollers. He split a section of pipe and puts it between the rollers. Helped a lot. He also stages the bend. Starts by making the center of the bend. Then he puts a center line and marks off at at 1 and 2 inches either side of the center. he put a center line on the bender. Then he bends a little on one mark then moves it to the next and so on till it has the angle he wants. This keeps all the pressure from hitting on one spot and kinking. Also chose the material well. Some pipe bends better than others.

Diging it in the dirt with my K5's
Grim-Reaper
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://grimsk5s.coloradok5.com/>http://grimsk5s.coloradok5.com/</A>
 
Hey BadDog,
smile.gif
ok, i got a little defensive alittle fast, its been one of those days!!!! My apologies, I understand what you were saying and they are very valid points, I appreciate the input.
Grim, I will try that tomorrow!!!!!

dklogo.gif

http://autotronixcaraudio.com
 
same here man, u gonna do any tube work for anybody else or just yours, i need some rear shock hoops? if your up shoot me an email......
adam

ROCKBUGGY K5 38S LOCKED AND CHOPPED
 
I've got one of those benders too. Guess I'll be designing my cage now. Great job Nashu, saw the pics. Real nasty looking.

<font color=green>Joe Angelicchio
86 Jimmy 4+3, 35-&gt;39.5 tires,4spd</font color=green>
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odie.gif
 
Hey Grim, I understand the part about staging the bends but I don't get the part about the split pipe "between the rollers"? Maybe I'm just slow today, could you elaborate? Is this just a section of split pipe he puts between the important pipe and the rollers?

Bad Dog

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, NP205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Soon: 4" lift, 40" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.
 
Hell man I am having so much fun doing this stuffheck ya I'll help ya out!!! I have a buddy coming out to the shop this evening and I am supposed to build him a front bumper, basicly what I have on mine!!! Anytime, just let me know!!!!

dklogo.gif

http://autotronixcaraudio.com
 
Are doing anything over the doors??

Bandit aka AJ
Ahh look at that cute little jeep i think my 3yr old niece has one like that KNOW MOVE IT OUT OF THE WAY!
 
Yeah you got the idea. Cut about 4 inches of pipe then take a band saw and cut that length wise so it will drop over the pipe your bending to double up the metal. Idealy you want a pipe with the same ID as the OD of the pipe your bending but as long as your close you can smack it with a hammer and open it up some. When you bend with that thing you some times get a dimple or flat spot at the outside rollers. This prevents that from happening.
Keith has just put up a couple pictures on his site with my truck in it at http://grimsk5s.coloradok5.com/
 
That thing is the koolest do it yourself job i have ever seen. I live in wichita falls tx. we will have to meet up some where. who knows maybe if you are interested maybe we could work a deal and have you help me or do one for me and my 73 jimmy.
 
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