Compact Bender choices

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Anyone have experience with this compact benders?  Recommendations?http://www.toolsplus1.com/compactbend.htmhttp://www.masterwholesale.com/details/1058570261/The Clarke is also sold by Eastwood and I believe it is the same one sold by TSC.    It is significantly cheaper than the one from toolsplus, but I don't konw if it's any less of a tool.I'm working primarily with 1/8" stock but could go up to 1/4" on occasion.  It's hobby use, not commercial production.Peace,Eric
Reply:I bought one that looks the same from HF for a lot cheaper.  However it did not have the scroll attachment, but I have been told that you can purchase one for it.  I use mine to bend brackets out of flat stock and steel rod for linkages and such, and it works fine.  I think I paid $50 for mine, and I just got a flier in the mail the other day that has them for the same sale price.  This may be a nicer unit, but it LOOKS the same.  My .02Later,Maxx Levell Racing...There Can Be Only One.
Reply:I guess it just depends on what neighborhood you live in... Because in my neighborhood, you could not "be the tool man of your neighborhood" with one of these.They are both chinese copies of the first shop outfitters bender, which in turn was a cheap knockoff of a hossfeld bender. In my mind, they are both useless toys- but I have had a real hossfeld bender for 25 years, and bend stuff like 1" x 4" flatbar on it. Hot, but it will still do it. I bend flat bar the hard way, 2" pipe, angle iron flange in or out, and round bar up to 1" cold. These things wont do any of that stuff. But at current prices, my hossfeld and dies would  probably cost north of 4 grand- so we are not talking apples and apples here.The more expensive one comes with 8 dies instead of 7. But I doubt, for your uses, there is a significant difference between them. Buy the cheap one, it will do most of what you want, and the more expensive one would not do any more.
Reply:Fortunately, all I needed to do was have the ability to fabricate some light-duty brackets and linkages for race cars...not "be the tool man of your neighborhood".  I'd have to have a considerably thicker wallet to get there!  I agree that they are cheap Chinese knock-offs, but mine works just fine for my needs.  I have some specialty tools that are considerably more expensive, however, I don't make my purchases based simply on the fact that one tool is more expensive so it must be better quality.  In the past, I have bought some high-priced pieces of s@&t!  By all means, if you can afford a hossfield, then go get yourself one.  If you want something that you will use occassionally and get decent results, then get one of the cheaper ones.  It's your money, spend it however you want.Later,Maxx Levell Racing...There Can Be Only One.
Reply:Thanks for the feedback gentlemen.  I've looked as close as I can at both in pictures and  can't find much difference.  My use falls in the light duty catagory, so I think the cheaper unit it is.Regards,Eric
Reply:My Clarke GE 2000 Metal Bender arrived last week and I had the opportunity to bolt it down and try it out today.  It works well - especially for $64 + shipping.  Fit and finish is acceptable but not great.  All in all, I like it.Peace,Eric
Reply:"Tool man of the neighborhood" LOL!How lame is that?Write a book.
Reply:Originally Posted by honk"Tool man of the neighborhood" LOL!How lame is that?Write a book.
Reply:That "tool man of the neighborhood" thing is straight from the tools plus website- that is what they say you will be if you buy their machine. So dont blame me for it. I would like to point out that a brand new hossfeld with basic dies is only $775. Yeah, its a whole lot more than a cheapo chinese one, but it will outlast most people, has good resale value, and, as harv says, you can make your own dies from there on in.
Reply:I just received one of the compact pipe benders like the ones the above links point to.  Do any of you know where i can get instructions on how to set it up or use it.  The one i have didn't come with any instructions.  I have a basic idea of how to set  it up from looking at pictures but that can only take me so far.Thanks for any help.