Harbor Freight Bender

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Does anyone here have/use the Harbor Freight compact bender or the gear driven ring roller? If so, are they any good? I need to purchase and the prices are so much better but not much sense in getting them if they won't hold up.Also I am considering purchasing a multiprocess machine or a stand alone generator. I currently use a Miller 251, a older Thunderbolt stick and a Spectrom 2050 plasma. I am planning on adding a Tig. I need a generator to make all of this mobile or else go to the multi machine and sell the other welders.Which way would you go and what machines would you consider? I figure I would like to have 10k gen power. I will also be using the gen function for home backup.Thanks for any info.
Reply:I have both.  The ring roller was near broken when I got it but I didn't notice it until it was too late.  The retaining pin was drilled off center and I had to jury rig it back together. I had already used it for a while and so I didn't feel like I could take it back. Check carefully for QC flaws at the store and save yourself the frustration and a trip back.The compact bender worked OK for what I intended it to do.  The instructions were pretty weak, but there is a thread around here where someone took the time to explain it better if you do a search for it.As always.  Most of the HF stuff is low(er) quality, knock-off, occasional use stuff.  When it comes to tools, you usually get what you pay for. Just my opinion and I'm sure you'll get others that think differently. I've been railed before for bad-mouthing HF stuff, but as a hobbyist, I still buy it too. When I began working in machine shops in the 70's, they had real American made tools and machinery.  Nowadays, evertyhing is made in China or Taiwan.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:I have their compact bender (benchtop version)-got it new for $49. It has worked great so far (daily use for about 2 months). The instructions aren't the best, but as Rick said, there's help online.Here's some samples of stuff I've bent so far, basically anything on them (hooks, handles, shapes, etc.) that is curved (that isn't a complete circle) uses the bender, especially in the gate-http://www.lyzrdstomp.com/index.php?...d=259&Itemid=1
Reply:I have them both also.  I've had the bender for 6 years.  I works, instructions suck.  Worth it for what it is.  Look around for better instructions like Northern, TSC...You'll pay a little more however it will be worth it.  The roller is alright.  The Knurling wears away easily.  Otherwise I have had no problems with it.If you do a fair amount of bending, then you will out grow the bender.  However, for 49 dollars I'm sure you could find a use for it until then.
Reply:Some nice stuff there Lyzard.  Be sure to buy anything you get from HF with there discount coupons to minimize the hurt.Hobart 140 Handler w/ gasHyperTherm Powermax 380 Plasmaoxy/acetylene
Reply:Thanks for the repliesI have been looking at the HF and the Grizzly as well as the one from ShopOutfitters. They all look pretty much the same but ShopOutfitters wants 500+ for theirs...... ???? not sure why such a difference? Could it be that much better? They do have tubing dies that can go with it but?Does HF or any of the others have a scroll bender attachment like Shop Outfitters? I haven't been able to find it if they do.
Reply:Oh great, competition! Just what I always wanted. HA! Hey Fry, I'm outta bait!City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Vanya, I like your work. How long have you been into the welding?I am trying to get setup to do some furniture and gate/rail work. Some abstract art will come too I hope.
Reply:Originally Posted by eburgblueDoes HF or any of the others have a scroll bender attachment like Shop Outfitters? I haven't been able to find it if they do.
Reply:1911 ...I checked the HF site. Are you talking about the Metalcraft scoll bender? I have seen that one and Grizzly has the same setup. I was hoping to find an attachment to the compact bender like ShopOutfitters..... ??
Reply:I looked at the HF Ring Roller, but it will only roll 1" wide x 3/16" thick, I needed to roll some 2"x1/4".  I got the Pro Line instead, I'm really happy with it.  As easy as it was to roll the 2x1/4", I'm pretty sure it can handle the advertised 2"x3/8".  I didn't even bolt it down, I just set a heavy vise on the bottom of one side of the pedestal.  It's way bigger than the HF unit, and costs $120 (+ $42 shipping) vs the HF's $60, but it's well worth it for the increased capacity, the hydraulic tensioner, and the pedestal.http://cgi.ebay.com/Sheet-Metal-Band...QQcmdZViewItemHow the guy can get an 88 lb. box shipped for $42 is beyond me, especially since I got it in 2 days.PatrickLincoln 175HD
Reply:eburgblue, I just went to the site and I couldn't find it either! Maybe they don't carry it anymore but that's where I got my scroller attachment for my benchtop bender about 6 months ago, it ran about $25. Ask about it the next time you're in HF, they might still have one in stock."All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing"
Reply:Ok. I dug up what passes for instructions for the scroll bending attachment. The model number is 36621. Unfortunately, when I went back to the HF website and searched by number the answer was item may no longer be available. So if you can find it at a local store jump on it. Good luck!"All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing"
Reply:1911.... thanks. Unfortunately I don't have an HF here (Yakima, Wa.) Guess I will try to call them over in Seattle or take a quick trip over there. Although by the looks of the ShopOutfitters I am wondering if the scroll attachment will fit the HF... ?PatrickJ... that ring roller looks good. I may pick that up too. It says it rolls a minimum 8" ring though so I will need to look at a smallr one also like the HF.... it will roll down to a 3"
Reply:Originally Posted by eburgblueVanya, I like your work. How long have you been into the welding?
Reply:Originally Posted by PatrickJI looked at the HF Ring Roller, but it will only roll 1" wide x 3/16" thick, I needed to roll some 2"x1/4".  I got the Pro Line instead, I'm really happy with it.  As easy as it was to roll the 2x1/4", I'm pretty sure it can handle the advertised 2"x3/8".  I didn't even bolt it down, I just set a heavy vise on the bottom of one side of the pedestal.  It's way bigger than the HF unit, and costs $120 (+ $42 shipping) vs the HF's $60, but it's well worth it for the increased capacity, the hydraulic tensioner, and the pedestal.http://cgi.ebay.com/Sheet-Metal-Band...QQcmdZViewItemHow the guy can get an 88 lb. box shipped for $42 is beyond me, especially since I got it in 2 days.
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick MoranSome nice stuff there Lyzard.  Be sure to buy anything you get from HF with there discount coupons to minimize the hurt.