Harbor freight tube bender and notcher

[matt69]

I was at harbor feight today and saw they had a tube bender and notcher. The bender was only 100 bucks and the notcher attached to a drill press and was only 50 bucks. Are these any good for the occasional use? I want to try and build some rocker protection and quarter panel protection for the bronco and have some fence work to do.

thanks

matt

 

[mike732]

I have both, the notcher works good the bender does not it tries to kink the tubing or at best it gets very flat...

 

[mike.l]

I think it kinks the tubing because it's a pipe bender, not a tubing bender.

Mike

 

[matt69]

here is the bender I was looking at
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44094

Thanks for the replies

matt

 

[t.lay]

There's some other posts here about the harbor freight bender and notcher. Do a search here before you buy. I think the gist is the notcher's ok. The bender may be a pipe bender not a tube bender - significant difference. You can get plans to build your own tube bender from pro tools. It's more like $250-300 to put one together (including dies and followers). I've got the plans if you're interested too.

 

[matt69]

thanks

matt

 

[SteveL]

The bender is a waste of $$. Even for rigid pipe.

 

[ransil]

I saw a coupon for the notcher on the HF site, I think it was $39.00

 

[broncosbybart]

i have built a few roll cages. 'benders' like the one shown do indeed kink the pipe. they put a point load right in the middle and the tube just bends right there and doesn't follow the die at all. save your money on that and get a real bender.

 

[scottmcwms]

That bender is not a pipe or tube bender. That is designed to bend up to 5/8" round rod. It doesn't have the capability of bending pipe or tube unless it is very small (5/8" or smaller).

 

[bronko69er]

Do a google search on "HF tube bender". There are many threads on various forums giving tips on how to make them work. Also check this tube tech article. http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/tech/billavista/Links
The thinner the wall that you are working with the worse the "flattening" will be. There are many folks out there that have made these benders work. Just do a little research before you make a decision. I bought the HF bender to build bumpers. I havent tried it yet but I will post a review after I get a chance to use it some.

 

[SaddleUp]

A regular tubing bender is the best way to do it (Except for using a mandrel bender) however many people have successfully used the HF Pipe Bender including myself. Since I have a tubing bender now I will be using that though for any future bending I need to do. (Currently all of the tube bending I have done on my EB has been done with the HF bender) Keep in mind that the bends made with the HF bender will not pass inspection for racing.

 

[Sbolt19]

That link says that it is for round or square solid rod. Doesn't say it is for tubing or pipe.

 

[bronko69er]

Here is the one that I have and assume Saddleup is refering to as well.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32888

 

[tsmustangs]

Here's a link to a great idea to build your own bender. Fairly reasonable as well.

http://www.blindchickenracing.com/Tools/Tube Bender/Tubingbender.htm

Terry

 

[67u13]

I have the HF pipe bender and to prevent kinking I got a spring for a garage door opener spring from the Overhead Door Company dumpster and put it outside of the pipe. This works good.

 

[SaddleUp]

Here is the one that I have and assume Saddleup is refering to as well.
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=32888

Yes. That is correct.

 

[gddyap]

I've read that putting sand in the tube prior to bending on a pipe bender will help minimize kinking. The pipe bender will work reasonably well if you're only making mild bends, like 15degrees off straight.
Also, pipe isn't bad to use for things like bumpers and rock skis. Downside is weight.

 

[RajinCajun]

Pro Tools 105HD, it is manual but it works great.. Well worth the $$.. I like being able to build things at my house..
http://www.texasoffroad.net/galleries/ohv/album223

 

[broncow72]

I'm currently working with one of Pro-tools benders and would say that there is no other way to go. Go to their website and look around at what they have and what they are willing to do for you as a customer. Their pricing is very good for the quality of product.