A few tools, where and what to get

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I'm looking to invest in a tubing bender, possibly/preferably electric/hydraulic.  At the most I'd be bending 2" stuff for exaust, roll cages, what have you.  Also, lathes and milling machines.  I've seen the small ones that HF sells.  Probably Chinese.  Are they worth it?  If not, what do you recommend?
Reply:For the tubing bender look at a Pro-tools or similar. LoBuck tool company makes a cheaper one that's pretty nice, but it's limited to a 90* bend, however that may not be an issue for you, in wich case it's what I would recomend. Actually that's what I'll be buying pretty soon http://www.lowbucktools.com/hydbender.htmlDon't know what to tell you about lathes or mills though
Reply:Originally Posted by bigcountry1009I'm looking to invest in a tubing bender, possibly/preferably electric/hydraulic.  At the most I'd be bending 2" stuff for exaust, roll cages, what have you.  Also, lathes and milling machines.  I've seen the small ones that HF sells.  Probably Chinese.  Are they worth it?  If not, what do you recommend?
Reply:Thanks fellas, I'll check em out.  I also just realized that I'm running out of space in the shop.  Hmmm, sounds like another home improvement project.
Reply:Hey b/c1009,You can find some great machining equipment in the classifieds, on E-Bay, and also keep an eye on any local auctions. Also, you can do a web search on "used equipment" in the Google search window. As a suggestion, get a decent lathe and mill that are larger than "hobby" size. A lathe of 9-10" swing X 24-36" bed would probably serve your needs. You can fabricate a vertical press with a 20Ton air/hydraulic jack that will do most any pressing or straightening for less than $150.00. The Jet series of mills and lathes are very well made and are quite accurate, and are very reasonably priced. A plasma cutter is a necessity if you don't have one....get a 35A or larger. I'll post a couple pics you can look at to get some ideas.....Denny Attached ImagesComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Originally Posted by yorkiepapHey b/c1009,You can find some great machining equipment in the classifieds, on E-Bay, and also keep an eye on any local auctions. Also, you can do a web search on "used equipment" in the Google search window. As a suggestion, get a decent lathe and mill that are larger than "hobby" size. A lathe of 9-10" swing X 24-36" bed would probably serve your needs. You can fabricate a vertical press with a 20Ton air/hydraulic jack that will do most any pressing or straightening for less than $150.00. The Jet series of mills and lathes are very well made and are quite accurate, and are very reasonably priced. A plasma cutter is a necessity if you don't have one....get a 35A or larger. I'll post a couple pics you can look at to get some ideas.....Denny
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldordieNever seen a horizontal press before.  How do you keep it attached to the wall?
Reply:Originally Posted by PwrTurtleThat's where you use the gravity bender.
Reply:JD Squared and ProTools have what you may be looking for, both have pretty good customer service as well. ProTools went as far as getting my friend in touch with someone locally who had purchaced the same model bender he was considering buying. I purchased the protools tubing notcher(holesaw), handle broke off under normal usage.....friend bought the JD Squared unit...seems to be better quality....good luck.
Reply:Im building this tube bender from plans.  I dont think its saved me much (140 bucks in steel, 37 bucks for thomson shafts (got extra), drill bits (100 bucks), air over hydraulic jack (100 bucks), dies (200 bucks).  Ive just got the holes drilled, and have been buying stuff as I go along.  I still need to order the dies so I can start assembly.  Plans were 17 bucks.www.gottrikes.com and just click on the bender plans.Various GrindersVictor Journeyman torch200cf Acet. 250cf oxygenLincoln 175 plus/alpha2 gunLincoln v205t tigLincoln 350mpEsab 650 plasmaWhen you can get up in the morning, Its a good day.Live each day like its your last.
Reply:I once had one of those chinese 7X12 lathes, HF, grizzly, HDC they're basically the same. Don't think of it as a ready to use tool. Think of it as lathe kit that with much modification and upgrades can be made into a just barely usable lathe. I left it behind when I moved.