Looking at pipe benders

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I am considering a pipe bender for the very occasional home project.  Not sure I want to spend much more than $100, and definitley don't want to spend more than $200.Up two 2" capacity is likely more than sufficient.Any comments on the Harbor Freight 12-ton model for $90?  I have heard that it's not worth its salt.  All the cheapies look the same.MM180
Reply:Originally Posted by TempoI am considering a pipe bender for the very occasional home project.  Not sure I want to spend much more than $100, and definitley don't want to spend more than $200.Up two 2" capacity is likely more than sufficient.Any comments on the Harbor Freight 12-ton model for $90?  I have heard that it's not worth its salt.  All the cheapies look the same.
Reply:Is there a similarly priced tube bender?MM180
Reply:Originally Posted by TempoIs there a similarly priced tube bender?
Reply:Originally Posted by TSORNo,This is about as cheap as it gets: http://www.pro-tools.com/200.htm
Reply:The Pro tools site has the plans for free to build that bender and they will sell you the dies.
Reply:Tempo I have a HF cheepo PIPE bender. I have'nt used it much, but has worked OK for bending pipe. It can be used for other stuff. I'v bent some trampoline tube a little at a time to make a smaller arc in the tube, and straightened other tube with it.Doug
Reply:This was all built using an HF style bender. I know pipe's not for cages. I didn't build it just helped cut some gussets with my plasma. Attached ImagesMy Photos on Flickr
Reply:I have the harbor freight bender and have used it a fare bit. Works great on pipe and I have done some tube with it with pretty good success. As mentioned above, to do tube you need to fill it sand and cap the ends. Its a pain but works if needed. I also would pick up the Harbor freight notcher. It works very well. Wildcat. I also know that pipe isn't tube but here in eastern Canada tube is very hard to get. All the VW dune buggies I built were made from schedule 40 pipe and they turned out pretty good. The frames took a lot of abuse and held up great. And believe me I rolled and crashed a few. Thanks god for four point harnesses and a good helmet.Miller DVI2Lincoln Precision Tig 225Thermodynamics Cutmaster 38Everything else needed.
Reply:Originally Posted by jamlit Wildcat. I also know that pipe isn't tube but here in eastern Canada tube is very hard to get. All the VW dune buggies I built were made from schedule 40 pipe and they turned out pretty good. The frames took a lot of abuse and held up great. And believe me I rolled and crashed a few. Thanks god for four point harnesses and a good helmet.
Reply:Harbor Freights is a pipe bender, not a tubing bender. The dies are not for tubing. But some have used them with shims to bend tubing! Search tubing benders.
Reply:If you are bending pipe, and only pipe, buy a cheapo HF or Northern tools chineese special. If you want to bend everything get a Greenlee, or a Hossfield. You get what you pay fore, and it could not be more true for a bender.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."