Compact Bender Alternatives (Need more robust alternatives to HF)

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What do you folks use to bend metal. I'm not looking for tubing or pipe benders. For my tiny space I seem to bend thick heavy stuff.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Reebz

What do you folks use to bend metal. I'm not looking for tubing or pipe benders. For my tiny space I seem to bend thick heavy stuff.
Reply:What are you using now to bend heavy stuff ?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Perhaps,  you need a brake press.  Hossfeld is nice. However, unless hydraulicified, it will require space.
Reply:I use a 6 inch vice with an armstrong #3 power unit



Reply:I made up a press brake conversion for my 50-ton Carolina hydraulic press.


Reply:I just ordered the benchtop model of the cheapie compact bender from Northern:https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...084_200660084#Had a $20 off coupon which puts it about the same price as HF.  I will make a mount to use it on a truck hitch, or tractor drawbar or to slide over a forklift.I also feel it will be too lightweight for what I need it for. Probably just wasted my money but it was only $89 and won't take up any space.Looked at sturdier brands, but they will be 5 to 10 times the price.  But I feel they would have 5 to 10 times the usefulness??? Example:https://pro-tools.com/products/manua...y-duty-packageI think a shop press with homemade or purchased bending accessories will be what I eventually end up getting.Century buzzbox that I learned on 40+ years ago (was Dad's)Crappy Century 110volt mig 70 amp pigeon pooper.Lincoln Idealarc TIG-300
Reply:

Originally Posted by bassboy1

Hossfeld #2 is what you're looking for...Or American Bender.  Arguably identical to Hossfeld.
Reply:I had a Hossfeld #2 given to me 6 or so years ago with  a steel bucket full of dies for it. Ive yet to figure out what 90% of those dies are used for. One of these days when I get the time to put into it I will figure out how to use it all. Soon as that happens Ill realize how much time and effort I wasted over the last x number of years doing things a different less effective way when I could have made said piece so much easier on the hossfeld. Ah well..
Reply:

Originally Posted by bigcreek

I had a Hossfeld #2 given to me 6 or so years ago with  a steel bucket full of dies for it. Ive yet to figure out what 90% of those dies are used for. One of these days when I get the time to put into it I will figure out how to use it all. Soon as that happens Ill realize how much time and effort I wasted over the last x number of years doing things a different less effective way when I could have made said piece so much easier on the hossfeld. Ah well..
Reply:The Ag Dept. at the school I used to teach at had a Hossfed, I tried to get them to sell it to me, it never got much use.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Broccoli1

What are you using now to bend heavy stuff ?
Reply:Great idea, I think I will do just that.
Reply:I have a swag finger brake for my press and the swag hulk tubing roller.Lincoln 350MPMillermatic 350PSyncrowave 2501969 SA200HTP Invertig 221
Reply:

Originally Posted by bigcreek

Great idea, I think I will do just that.
Reply:Hydraulic press with homemade dies bending barbell hangers


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Reply:Here’s some of my hydraulic press accessories for bending and other functions..


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Reply:Lis2323 you sure did a nice job on that ironworker.
Reply:Thank you bigcreek!Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk:
Reply:

Originally Posted by bigcreek

I had a Hossfeld #2 given to me 6 or so years ago with  a steel bucket full of dies for it. Ive yet to figure out what 90% of those dies are used for. One of these days when I get the time to put into it I will figure out how to use it all. Soon as that happens Ill realize how much time and effort I wasted over the last x number of years doing things a different less effective way when I could have made said piece so much easier on the hossfeld. Ah well..
Reply:You could post photos here also.  Hossfeld Videos show assembly, too.  I would not buy the manuals unless you just like hard copy. It is all on their site.  I have a couple set of manuals from when the were free.