Hydraulic benders...

[mikey_d05]

I plan on buying a bender at some point this summer and I really don't have the money to buy a fancy hydro setup but I don't have the biceps to do what I need to do by myself, and all but 1 of my wheeling friends are ridiculously unreliable.

Pro-tools has nice, complete packages with plenty of accessories and such for good price, and they sell a "hydro bracket kit" for like $100. My only problem with that is, the air/hydro ram to fit it costs $360.

I can get a similar air/hydro jack for $60 all day long but I don't know how to mount it since their ram is clamped right at the bender arm and an air/hydro jack would have to be mounted via the base.

Anyone have any bright ideas for hydro on the cheap or know of anyone who sells a similar ram for a little bit more reasonable amount?

 

[rdn2blazer]

bending tube manually is not hard at all. remember leverage is your friend. just use a good length cheater bar.

 

[gauder]

6 ft piece of 1X2 steel works really well. Worry about upgrading after.

 

[79k20350]

hell with just their bender handle i saw a video of a guy bend 1.75 hrew .250 wall i think with 1 hand and 1.50 with one finger

 

[mikey_d05]

Maybe I just wasn't using a long enough handle on my friend's bender or something.

 

[84gmcjimmy]

Maybe I just wasn't using a long enough handle on my friend's bender or something.

Is mikey a wimp?

Just use as long as a handle you can. Or get that lady friend to help pull

 

[85mudblazin]

I used about a 4 ft cheater handle. grabbed it, leaned back, and just started walking. Isnt hard at all and im not the most built guy you have ever seen.

 

[mikey_d05]

We were bending 2" .120 DOM with a decent sized handle (although I don't know the exact length) and it was a major major bitch for one guy. Apparently I forgot to eat my wheaties.

 

[camiswelding]

model 4 on order... with full hydro,,, no more receiver hitch bends for me

in 3 weeks I will "tubulate"

 

[81jimmyslt]

at that size it wont be easy, DOM is a little tougher to bend than HREW. When you go above .120 wall its definately more work.

Just get the bender and consider your biceps bigger already. Like they said use a longer handle when neccessary.

Jesse

 

[grizzlyoffroad]

I have the model 3 bender without the hydrolic addition, and it works great for now. I have a 48" cheater, that I just lean on a little. Granted, I have only been bending .095 mild stuff so far, but I can't imagine the DOM being THAT much tougher. I do plan on adding the hydrolic kit when financialy possible....dang it runs like $900...that hurts. Sure will be nice when doing a full roll cage or some big projects though. Tell us if you find a good hydrolic setup for cheaper, I would like to know too.