metal bender(make or buy?)

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so I need a metal bender for my next job, doing some radius railings, im wondering if its worth it to try to make one of these, or just buy one?  I do need it pretty soon, so making one may not even be a optionthey sell the light duty ones for $80-$120 the one in the pic is $1400...  the haussfeld brand is about $600 in think..the question would be where can you  buy the dies? even if i bought one, i would want to be able to bend piipe and tubing and would want to get some dies for doing that...does anybody know where you can get the dies? http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:I had a copy of a Hossfeld bender built years ago and then added my own hydraulics.  If you are wanting to do several different types of metal and bending, the Hossfeld bender has all kinds of various dies available for it.  I had a couple sets of actual Hossfeld tubing dies, but most of my dies I got from American Bender.  Here is a link.http://www.americanbender.com/
Reply:i have one of the older Shop Outfitters 50/50 benders and I built quite a few of my own dies either from tube/pipe or on the lathe to do solid stock. S.O. used to sell the round and square tube dies for my unit, but after they discontinued that model I'm not sure if they are still available or not..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I have an American Bender and a Hossfeld.   Easier and cheaper to buy one with dies, especially the package from American Bender.  I bought the am bender new, got the Hossfeld used with hydraulics and dies.  Check around for used ones.  I bought my Am Bender (560 package) for 900 bucks about 5 yrs ago. If you need more round dies, then drill holes is round stock.  I have 6" dies that I simply drill 1"  hole into. They (Hossfeld, Am Bender) are great tools to have and have the largest capacity and most die options,  compared to similar looking bender.  For what you their Hardway (edge) bending dies and cap rail bending dies will probably come in handy. While both above machines will bend tube or pipe and depending on how much pipe / tube bending you have to do--  It might not be a bad Idea to go with a pipe or tube bender for that application.
Reply:Pro tools HMP-200.Make it!I have one, and made it because my friend with a very nice hydraulic bender like the one you posteddidn't work as good.Its more accurate to use a digital angle finder, swinging up means it needs a very small space to operate and its portable, requiring no floor to bolt it down too.Syncrowave 350Coolmate 3Millermatic 251Spoolmatic 30A
Reply:If you would pay that much for bender then look at this one;http://www.toolsformetal.com/product...odId=5&catId=1
Reply:Just found this guys version..not too complexed;http://www.4x4blog.com/tube-bender-s...ver-hydraulic/
Reply:Here are a few dies. I have the 3/4 and 1 inch square dies.http://www.metalbendingtool.com/all-dies-accessories Attached ImagesLast edited by Scott0303; 12-05-2012 at 11:24 AM.__________________Miller MM252Lincoln AC Buzz BoxCentury 155Victor O/A
Reply:I think I might just buy a cheap one for now, the biggest thing I have to bend right now is 1-3/4" cap rail to maybe a 15-18ft radius... I would like to try to build one, but i might may end up buying a hossfeld or an American bender....  I should be able to do the cap rail with one of those little ones right? http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by a1998z3If you would pay that much for bender then look at this one;http://www.toolsformetal.com/product...odId=5&catId=1
Reply:If you build, then make sure to use spec. a known brand, so you can always purchase dies.The Howron is nice,  I considered purcasing  one  a few years ago,
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalMan23.... 1-3/4" cap rail to maybe a 15-18ft radius...
Reply:Originally Posted by dubl_tif you don't mind, give us the dimensions of the Hoss' and Am. Bndr regarding mounting height and pin dia.  I'm just wondering if dies are universal.Thanks, Tom.
Reply:I prefer to use the bender for bending cap. I built a ring roller to bend cap and pipe,  then got the bender  and never used the roller again.  The unless ou ae doing a spiral, it has rare that I dong rail to be as precise as a ring rolled rail.  I usually end up tweeking anyway.  The Hossfeld dies allow you to bend cap and channel together without welding them together.  They don't mar nor deform the cap-- unlike many roller dies.  You aint gonna bend cap on the bender without some assistance.  I built a leverage multiplier for my Am bender.The pins are 1"x11" and 3/4" x6
Reply:If you're bending elbows and irregular curves, one of those is good.  Although the little ones have very small capacities, so check before you buy.For a constant radius bend, it's hard to beat a roll bender.  The Harbor Freight one is pretty cheap (currently $136 if you have a 20% off coupon), and an outfit called SWAG Offroad makes dies and other improvements for it that make it a phenomenal bargain.I also have a Hossfeld.  But I use the roll bender more often.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Another alternative, is to outsource the few pieces you need done. I do tis on occasion, and it may cost a bit, but it has saved me in a pinch.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:You know I never thought of using a roller, but it would definitely beat a bender for a consistent curve, but do they make a die that would do the cap rail, the hard way? I know they make one for flat bar the hard way, but would it work for cap? The radius sections go between posts, and are about 80-90" long, so I think I could make do with a bender, but now I'm thinking I might buy a roller too... I'm guessing the roller would be faster as well? http://www.philswelding.com
Reply:Originally Posted by WyoRoyThe dies for the Hossfeld and American Benders are the same pin sizing......
Reply:In pictures, they might look similar -- but the Harbor Freight bender is tiny compared to a Hossfeld.  (I have both.)Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalMan23You know I never thought of using a roller, but it would definitely beat a bender for a consistent curve, but do they make a die that would do the cap rail, the hard way? I know they make one for flat bar the hard way, but would it work for cap? The radius sections go between posts, and are about 80-90" long, so I think I could make do with a bender, but now I'm thinking I might buy a roller too... I'm guessing the roller would be faster as well?
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenIn pictures, they might look similar -- but the Harbor Freight bender is tiny compared to a Hossfeld.  (I have both.)
Reply:Originally Posted by MetalMan23I think I might just buy a cheap one for now, the biggest thing I have to bend right now is 1-3/4" cap rail to maybe a 15-18ft radius... I would like to try to build one, but i might may end up buying a hossfeld or an American bender....  I should be able to do the cap rail with one of those little ones right?
Reply:Originally Posted by dubl_tThanks Roy.Now for the $20 dollar question.....drum roll please.....will these dies fit the Harbor Freight bender?Sorry, I've never looked at any of  'em personally.  I passed on a real Hoss' at an estate sale, for $50, not knowing it's true value.  Yep, still kicking myself.....12yrs later.
Reply:Some of the dies American Bender doesn't make... Attached ImagesLincoln PrecisionTig 275Miller 251Miller DialArc 250Bridgeport millHossfeld bender & diesLogan shaperJet 14 X 40 latheSouth Bend 9" 'C'Hypertherm 900Ellis 3000 band saw21"Royersford ExcelsiorTwo shops, still too many tools.
Reply:There are multiple cap bending dies for the hossfeld, they are set for individual radii.  At your radii you could purchase a small radii and bump it.  There is   absolutely no kinking or marring if you are using a cap die. And it will be flat.  Without a proper roller and dies  your cap will deform and twist. Thus you will still need a way to tweek it.  You will also waste a consideable amount of cap in a roller 2-3 feet.   I takes a lot of force to crank down to start the bend.  Without proper dies cap will deform and give that HF roller grief. It will give you grief too if try to roll it manually.   Look at the profile of standard molded cap it s not in a single plane like flat bar..  So it is ready do collapse without proper support.  If this is for a specific job then whiy not heat and bend.   At  your radii, cooling might get you where want to be without much work.  I used to bend all my cap with heat, until the ring roller. It just takes time and patiences and money for heat source.   But mostly much patience.  The roller is faster at creating a radius.  However, if it is not  the radius you need, thus you must have a way to adjust it.  That cap ain't no joke, especially when it is long and flimsly.  Then  you got to bend channel to match.  Real life curve are rarely perfect -sometimes there are changes in the same run. Also, with a bender you can bend the same piece in different direction, eliminating the need for a seam on switch backs.  Good luckThanks for the info everyone,  I'm gonna try to use the bender on this one I think, I'll post pics of the progress (or miserable failure lol) of the whole job, its only 54' of radius stuff, not too much...I've used benders before and I know that I you're not careful you can start to get a twist in the pieces that your bending, I was wondering if anyone had Amy suggestions how to avoid that... http://www.philswelding.com