Which bender is more useful to you? Pipe or compact bender?

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I should have bought one or both of these years ago.  And have already missed out on coupons at Harbor Freight.I'm leaning toward the pipe bender as think I can modify it to bend square tubing.I could watch Youtube videos to get some idea of the + and - of each type.  But I value your opinions more.


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Reply:If you have a machine shop at your disposal, I'd take a real close look at draw benders, not crush benders like you've posted.https://www.amazon.com/Woodward-Fab-...0QM00DKGBD3SZB  I believe this is a draw unit, I'll hunt up a video
Reply:I think there are probably better ones out there with a full contact die, but this gives ya an idea how superior they are to a crush bender.  The hydraulic mods can be done by any competent welder.  Swag is a joke........lotta bucks for nuthin' you can't do yourself
Reply:On a smaller scale, my draw bender will outperform anything out there.




Reply:I built mine based on the Swagelok benchtop draw bender, which uses roller dies as opposed to long block dies.  It bends smoother, and die wear is almost nonexistent.Last edited by farmersammm; 12-14-2020 at 01:30 PM.Reason: replaced "roller" with "draw"
Reply:They both have there purpose. I've had both for 10 years. The compact bender is worth the money for the dies. Mine was only $40 when I bought it. I think harbor freight has a 15% off everything coupon. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:A large version of my bender.It can be done with hydraulics that are available just about anywhere if you do it right.  Or, one Hell of a long lever, if geared right (well, that's something that would take some hard thinkin'

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Reply:I have the Princess Auto version of the top bender pictured, but like Sam has mentioned it's bends are less than stellar. I made a couple straight dies for it and I actually use it for straightening bent sprayer booms more often than I use it for bending. Still a useful tool though...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:I made a bender from the plans at http://www.gottrikes.com/ and love it. I also have the harbor freight compact bender. I use both. The compact probably has more use for most people
Reply:Large dies are easier to make than small dies.
Reply:

Originally Posted by bead-boy

I should have bought one or both of these years ago.  And have already missed out on coupons at Harbor Freight.I'm leaning toward the pipe bender as think I can modify it to bend square tubing.
Reply:The Pipe bender is exactly that- Pipe benderIt doesn't do good job on Tube.The Compact bender is for flat bar and solid rod.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:Somebody on this forum converted the pipe bender to a meta brake.  Otherwise I would not acquire that bender as a pipe bender.  No need to spend time making a too do what is was "designed" to do.  The compact would ne more useful within its capacity. The pipe bender is a cheap access to a materials for a hydraulic press for personal modification .
Reply:The pipe bender does a real good job on flat bar. I've bent some 5/8" x3" in about a 6" radius. I space the rollers closer together than you would use with the movable pipe die.
Reply:I would get one of the ub-100 benders before the HF compact. It's capable of heavier stock than the HF.
Reply:I think it would type of working.My self I had bend 3/4" x 6 to 10" flat bar. The bending machines you have would not work for me.So need to know what your bending.Dave

Originally Posted by bead-boy

I should have bought one or both of these years ago.  And have already missed out on coupons at Harbor Freight.I'm leaning toward the pipe bender as think I can modify it to bend square tubing.I could watch Youtube videos to get some idea of the + and - of each type.  But I value your opinions more.



Reply:MJD Thanks I had not heard of those. The compact bender is too light for many of the jobs I have. I may start a separate thread "Alternates to the compact bender".
Reply:

Originally Posted by Reebz

MJD Thanks I had not heard of those. The compact bender is too light for many of the jobs I have. I may start a separate thread "Alternates to the compact bender".
Reply:

Originally Posted by tapwelder

The pipe bender is a cheap access to a materials for a hydraulic press for personal modification .
Reply:

Originally Posted by whtbaron

I have the Princess Auto version of the top bender pictured, but like Sam has mentioned it's bends are less than stellar. I made a couple straight dies for it and I actually use it for straightening bent sprayer booms more often than I use it for bending. Still a useful tool though...
Reply:For a compact bender, Diacro's are extremely well built, heavy, accurate, but can be relatively expensive.

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Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

For a compact bender, Diacro's are extremely well built, heavy, accurate, but can be relatively expensive.

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Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323


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Reply:I like that bender you use it for plate bending too.Dave

Originally Posted by Lis2323


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Reply:

Originally Posted by psacustomcreations

Terry, I like the way you removed the uprights and welded the angle to the ends so it could be used in the press. It looks like you added a few holes to the center on top. Using it your way makes a lot of sense and I think will increase functionality. Although I am wondering if maybe you could have added a few more parts to the adapter for the top piece.




Originally Posted by Lis2323

Yes Pat I COULD have but it would have required lowering the bed   Smart azz

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