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Tube Bender DRO

Yep, thing is bad ass. I posted up on OFN too.
 
Too bad I just ordered a full set of dimple dies for my birthday present. This would have been more useful.
 
Has anyone used one of these. I'm pretty close to telling the wife this would be the perfect Xmas gift.
 
Seems more like a gimmick to me.

The system is only going to be as accurate as that "rubber band" connecting the sensor to the bender IMHO. If it slips, all bets are off. Personally, I'd stick with a standard degree ring for half the price and a simple mechanical pointer.

The real "magic" of perfect bends is more a function of calibrating for accurate springback than anything else. If your springback calcs are off, the final part can miss it's mark by 1/4", 1/2" or worse on a long tube section.


:usaflag:
 
Yes I have used one of these. It is a very well thought out and designed digital bending unit. As soon as funds allow, I will be purchasing one for myself.

cuervo said:
Has anyone used one of these. I'm pretty close to telling the wife this would be the perfect Xmas gift.
Click to expand...
 
Sorry Greg but this is no gimmick, it is a real tool not a toy. I have first hand experience with this unit and it has undergone a good amount of testing prior to the public release.

The "rubber band" as you call it is a gilmer style belt, so there is absolutely no chance of slipage when installed correctly. Of course as with many things this is always subject to user error if incorrectly installed or adjusted.

Spring back is always an issue when bending tube. The Tube Bandit in no way eliminates spring back, but it allows a more accurate reading of the actual movement in degrees. This allows a more accurate measurement of spring back angle in order to achieve more accurate final bends. The Tube Bandit also allows the user to adjust the readout to compensate for the calculated amount of spring back

Greg72 said:
Seems more like a gimmick to me.

The system is only going to be as accurate as that "rubber band" connecting the sensor to the bender IMHO. If it slips, all bets are off. Personally, I'd stick with a standard degree ring for half the price and a simple mechanical pointer.

The real "magic" of perfect bends is more a function of calibrating for accurate springback than anything else. If your springback calcs are off, the final part can miss it's mark by 1/4", 1/2" or worse on a long tube section.


:usaflag:
Click to expand...
 
Interesting... :waytogo:

I'm curious to see some more detailed images of the setup once someone gets a chance to set one up and use it for a while.


:usaflag:
 
If it helps or keeps you from over bending I'm sold. I have never over bent anything till just the other day. I've started my rear tube bumper build and over bent a 90 deg bend while bending by myself. I usually have my son watch the degree wheel and we bend to as close to a 1/4 degree as possible. I'm about a deg and a half over. I'm going to have to setup and flex it back on my big table. Not going to be much fun to do but I have it figured out how I'm going to open it up.
 
The Tube Bandit will definitely help keeping you from over bending as well as under bending, particularily if you are operating your bender manually. You can position the display of the Tube Bandit so that you can clearly see it from wherever you are standing. No more having to strain to see the degree wheel, or having to have someone else watch the degree wheel for you. Plus the Tube Bandit is accurate to .1 degree.

You can check out the Tube Bandit some more on their website, and over on OFN. There are 2 or 3 OFN members that have bought the TB and are getting theirs setup and bending tube. There are bound to be some more detailed pics to see over there in the near future.

http://www.tubebandit.com/xcart/

http://www.offroadfabnet.com


rdn2blazer said:
If it helps or keeps you from over bending I'm sold. I have never over bent anything till just the other day. I've started my rear tube bumper build and over bent a 90 deg bend while bending by myself. I usually have my son watch the degree wheel and we bend to as close to a 1/4 degree as possible. I'm about a deg and a half over. I'm going to have to setup and flex it back on my big table. Not going to be much fun to do but I have it figured out how I'm going to open it up.
Click to expand...
 
Well, I have conveted my bender to hydro but I still tend to over bend stuff. This is more of a result of not wanting to take a piece out check it and then reinstall it to bend it more.

I would so love to never over or under bend anything again. Hell, 4 or 5 20 foot lengths of tube that are scrap pay for this. I'm pretty sure it will be my stocking stuffer.
 
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