Tubing benders!

[EvanK]

Well, Im looking at this http://www.vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm#shipping tubing bender for Christmas, has anyone ever used this, or something similar, I know a lot of companies make one of this design, any input?

[BillC]

This is the JD Squared model 3 bender. The only complaint I recall is those wishing they bought a Model 4 instead. I don't think you can go wrong with it, and the prices are the same as if you bought it from the manufacturer...

http://www.jd2.com/

Have Fun!!!

[Silent Running]

Hi! Check out my topic of "Mini Bikes" on this page. I purchased my bender from them -- and the same model that you're interested in. Great bender, and great folks to deal with.

Do yourself a favour and buy their pedestal and lever. It's well worth it.

My students are using it to bend their mini bike frames. It works, but you have to be precise in the process. After a few bends, you'll learn the mechanism's traits.

[nitsuj]

If I'm understanding the links correctly, you buy the bender for in the $300 price range, then have to spend $115 to $500 for each die set? Sounds like it could get expensive fast. How are owners of this bender coping with that kind of pricing? Is there a cheaper source for dies?

[Silent Running]

Yeah, it does get expensive. The $295 price is really misleading. By the time I got everything (the bender, dies, pedestal, and lever, AND SHIPPING), it cost me about $800.

Shipping is expensive because the thing is so heavy.

[Broccoli1]

How are owners of this bender coping with that kind of pricing?

Therapy

There are no cheap tube benders for purchase.

[Broccoli1]

The SO i have set me back about 1,000.00

Basic bender
1" Round die set
1" Sq. die set
Leverage Multiplyer.

I got the SO because of the Sq. tube bending ability.

[Broccoli1]

More bender info

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/...hlight=benders

[nitsuj]

Looks like the Van Sant bender linked above is the way to go. Seems like similar specs, but the dies are cheaper. They don't look that hard to make, except I can figure a cheap reliable way to make the dies.