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Harbor Freight Bender

Deuling

Deuling

“I like to make things”
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Ok after reading alot of threads where people mention the HF "tube kinker" I decided to do a little write up. This is a PIPE BENDER!!!

For people who dont know pipe is measured by ID (inner diameter)
Tubing is measured by OD (Outer diameter)

So 1inch sch 40 pipe is really more like 1-1/4" or so on the outside diameter.

With that straightened out now look back at this bender. It is not set up to bend tubing because the OD of the dyes and tubing do not match up and will kink the pipe (and for other reasons that this is not designed for tube).

So when I bought my HF Pipe bender I knew what I was buying. I think it bends quite well, sure its not like a nice tube bend, but heck I can bend 8 different sizes of pipe and I spent a 1/4 of the $$$$ than a nice tube bender costs (yes they make cheaper tube benders, but to buy a second die it costs almost as much as the entire bender, and I get 8).

If you are finding flat spots where the rollers are simply hit it with some heat in the center of the bend and also move the rollers to a farther location.

This thread is a bit too over the top, I know, but im sick of people talking crap about a product when they buy it and use it for a purpose not intended for it. (like bend tubing :D)



Heres some bends ive made, im very happy with it.

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Heres the one I bought
http://www.harborfreight.com/16-ton-hydraulic-pipe-bender-35336.html

Im sure they can be had by different places as well.The 12-ton one can be had for $99 with 6 dyes 1/2"-2".
I did see in Summits Catalog that they have the 12 ton for $99 as well, plus that one has the 2 return springs, which is nice because the bottle jack really doesnt like going down very well and some springs would be nice for the return.

Ive heard of some modifications for these to help them work better, any body know what they are??

I figure this would be a good thread for someone that wants to build a pipe "something" and needs a cheap way to do it.

A Notcher would be a nice touch as well
Anybody know of a good one? HF has a cheapy http://www.harborfreight.com/pipe-tubing-notcher-42324.html
 
The rollers out on the ends will break I have rebuilt a couple with different pieces of tube or pipe to eliminate the kink on the end. Not the kink the dimple the orginal peices put in there

Lube is important on the center die. I have also welded on wings to the center die to help keep the pipe from not kinking, which is typically not a problem with smaller pipe, move up to a bigger size and it becomes a bigger problem.

Thats about all I have done with those. They do bend pipe or tube for that matter. Bumpers and sliders are awesome built out of pipe.

We don't want to get into the endless debate of roll cage out of pipe. I actually prefer pipe for stuff that will take a hit from rocks, its thicker and cheap

I have used the HF notcher, its not bad but it does wear out fast if you use it allot
 
Deuling said:
what do you mean by wings on the dye?? Any pics of this??:dunno::popcorn:
Click to expand...

You just add them on top of the die. I don't have any pictures at all. Its really only useful for doing the larger sizes, you have seen how the pipe crushes a bit as you bend it, well the wings added on top of the die keep the pipe shape a bit better. The goal is to make the die taller
 
blazinzuk said:
You just add them on top of the die. I don't have any pictures at all. Its really only useful for doing the larger sizes, you have seen how the pipe crushes a bit as you bend it, well the wings added on top of the die keep the pipe shape a bit better. The goal is to make the die taller
Click to expand...

Ok I understand, Idk how big of pipe I will really bend, anything over 2" is really pushing it for weight to put on a vehicle, where more amounts of smaller pipe could make a much stronger structure.
 
Stomis said:
Hmmm I bought one 3 years ago maybe its time I actually try to use it...


Btw heres the only article I have left on making it better.

http://www.toyotacrawlers.com/forum/index.php?topic=12442.0
Click to expand...

Thanks man ill have to check it out later, wont open on my phone. Yah i think its a lot nicer tool than people make it out to be, its people using it on tubing then it kinks that say its a pile of junk. I honestly dont see the poin t in tubing other than for a cage because its lighter than pipe. But pipe is cheaper and thicker and perdect for bumpers. Anything with the word "tubing" is just so much more overpriced
 
I meant to ask, how do you like the jawhorse? That thing looks sick! I may need to con someone into buying me that for xmas:D
 
Z71paramedic said:
I meant to ask, how do you like the jawhorse? That thing looks sick! I may need to con someone into buying me that for xmas:D
Click to expand...

DUDE!! SO AWESOME! It will hold 600lbs and and has like 2000lbs of clamping force or some crazy amount like that. The yellow jaw can be put in the other way as well to hold larger stuff. I really want the welding attatchment. One thing to know if u do get it is you must only clamp down with the tool in tge lock position, if you do it in the unlock it can strip the teeth. Im really happy with it, great for fab work, and much quicker than a vice and very mobile.
 
Yep, definitely gonna need one of those:pimp:

Seeing as how I have no work bench right now, and the top of my mac rollaway is covered in random chit I could definitely use it too. I wish I had seen this a while ago, not too much fab work left on this truck. Would really help with what I have though. Good stuff:thumb:
 
Yah and it folds all up really nice and has a roller on the jaw end so you can just drag it behind you. They also have a longer "slider piece" idk what to call it, but the yellow part that will fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood, on the 4' length not 8, but still sweet, couple 2x4 braces on the bottom of the plywood and you have a nice sturdy table. I imagine alot of cool accesories could be fabbed up at home too. My next tools on my wishlist are a small bench drill press that could be transported easily in the blazer, and a portable oxy/acetylene torch setup (the real small one in the green plastic carrying case). Then with all those tools i could basically make my van into a small mobile workshop. Maybe save up for a small generator. I think that would be awesome. I can see it now "Deulings On-Site Fab Service" lol.
 
Yeah, it seems pretty sweet. The welder's helper attachment seems awesome too. They'll be had soon I'm sure. I can never hold off on stuff like that:doah: I already have the small torch set, but will have to sell it before we move in June, they won't ship it with our stuff... I need to pick up a plasma cutter, a bigger compressor and a drillpress as well. Otherwise I'm fairly well set up. I'd like a bigger welder in the future also, but my little lincoln will do anything I'll be working on for the foreseeable future. I have problems buying expensive tools I don't necessarily need though:D
 
Yah i dont need any real fancy stuff. I love the portable ability of all my nice tools and such, because i dont have a shop of my own, nor will i in the next few years, so all my work is done at friends or other relations houses/shops. It also keeps me from buying any really expencive stuff that i wont need for a long time. But after spending the entire semester so far doing oxyacetylene welding, i really love it, and such a nicer more controlled bead can be laid with it i feel. We start arc next week and mig after and some tig, so hopefully ill be decent at all of it. But a torch is so useful, and can be used with no power, so the benefits would be awesome with a portable system. Hopin i can squeeze in one more xmas and bday gift from my dad for one like my hobart last year:D
 
Yeah, I'm thinking of going to school for welding once we move. I'm done with the EMS thing and don't want a driving job anymore...don't need to go road-raging on anybody:haha:

I'd really like to learn TIG, but it all interests me.
 
Im going to get one of those jaw horse things in a couple weeks. I could really use something to hold **** outside the shop to keep the dust outside.
 
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