Rebar bending tools - exp & rev/recommendations

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Hi,Would like input, experience, opinions on out of the box rebar bending tools on the market - for example:https://www.amazon.com/Klutch-Rebar-.../dp/B00PX16UKUI know many people tack the end to a pipe and bend it around or have some home made tools/methods from reading on the forum already - but seeing the videos of the Klutch and the like - make it seem easy/convenient for 1/2" & slightly larger bending - to degrees that hairpin type legs can be made with. (not my immediate goal)I've been helping a friend with his new deck railing (it's 28" off ground before people start citing "local code", "safety" etc - by code there is actually none required) - we put in place a nice horizontal rebar fencing between posts through some C-channel on the post faces - now there are two corners.  I used an Eastwood pipe bender to prototype one of the corners - but maxing out the angle that can provide - not sure if it's enough.  The corner rebar shape resembles a set of handlebars - but I think I might need more of a bend on the ends - to land the rebar into the drilled holes of the c-channel on each corner post face.  So there is a say 20" straight length for the face, then for the last 6" or 7" each end bends inward - currently looks to be 30 degrees, may need 35 or 40 degrees on the bend - haven't test fit yet. But thinking of future "project fun" - and using the extra rebar in hand to make him some hairpin legs for some deck chairs - have been scouring the web on these out of the box (not home made) benders.  I have an O/A torch - could just heat and bend over something - but interested in a cold bend solution - anyway  - a lot of words here asking for experience/opinions/recommendations on a simple rebar bending tool - thanks all!John
Reply:

Originally Posted by jfk92

Hi,Would like input, experience, opinions on out of the box rebar bending tools on the market - for example:https://www.amazon.com/Klutch-Rebar-.../dp/B00PX16UKUI know many people tack the end to a pipe and bend it around or have some home made tools/methods from reading on the forum already - but seeing the videos of the Klutch and the like - make it seem easy/convenient for 1/2" & slightly larger bending - to degrees that hairpin type legs can be made with. (not my immediate goal)I've been helping a friend with his new deck railing (it's 28" off ground before people start citing "local code", "safety" etc - by code there is actually none required) - we put in place a nice horizontal rebar fencing between posts through some C-channel on the post faces - now there are two corners.  I used an Eastwood pipe bender to prototype one of the corners - but maxing out the angle that can provide - not sure if it's enough.  The corner rebar shape resembles a set of handlebars - but I think I might need more of a bend on the ends - to land the rebar into the drilled holes of the c-channel on each corner post face.  So there is a say 20" straight length for the face, then for the last 6" or 7" each end bends inward - currently looks to be 30 degrees, may need 35 or 40 degrees on the bend - haven't test fit yet. But thinking of future "project fun" - and using the extra rebar in hand to make him some hairpin legs for some deck chairs - have been scouring the web on these out of the box (not home made) benders.  I have an O/A torch - could just heat and bend over something - but interested in a cold bend solution - anyway  - a lot of words here asking for experience/opinions/recommendations on a simple rebar bending tool - thanks all!John
Reply:I have seen that tool used on construction sights They like the tool.All the work I did was in shop and I had power press for bending and very small part of my work.Dave

Originally Posted by jfk92

Hi,Would like input, experience, opinions on out of the box rebar bending tools on the market - for example:https://www.amazon.com/Klutch-Rebar-.../dp/B00PX16UKUI know many people tack the end to a pipe and bend it around or have some home made tools/methods from reading on the forum already - but seeing the videos of the Klutch and the like - make it seem easy/convenient for 1/2" & slightly larger bending - to degrees that hairpin type legs can be made with. (not my immediate goal)I've been helping a friend with his new deck railing (it's 28" off ground before people start citing "local code", "safety" etc - by code there is actually none required) - we put in place a nice horizontal rebar fencing between posts through some C-channel on the post faces - now there are two corners.  I used an Eastwood pipe bender to prototype one of the corners - but maxing out the angle that can provide - not sure if it's enough.  The corner rebar shape resembles a set of handlebars - but I think I might need more of a bend on the ends - to land the rebar into the drilled holes of the c-channel on each corner post face.  So there is a say 20" straight length for the face, then for the last 6" or 7" each end bends inward - currently looks to be 30 degrees, may need 35 or 40 degrees on the bend - haven't test fit yet. But thinking of future "project fun" - and using the extra rebar in hand to make him some hairpin legs for some deck chairs - have been scouring the web on these out of the box (not home made) benders.  I have an O/A torch - could just heat and bend over something - but interested in a cold bend solution - anyway  - a lot of words here asking for experience/opinions/recommendations on a simple rebar bending tool - thanks all!John
Reply:I own and use a hand/manual rebar bender similar to the one on your link. Mine was not $199 - I have had it for about 10 years and paid about $400.Works great for #3, #4 and depending on model, #5 rebar. Mine has a cutter-blade too and #3 and #4 cut easily. I always use grade 60 rebar. Your Home Depot and similar store often sell grade 40.I did lend the bender to a guy who managed to fracture the casting for the cutter head but I was able to purchase a replacement part. I suspect he used a cheater-bar to make it easier to cut a bar....grrr.I also have the Hitachi (now Metabo) electric bender - fantastic machine if you have the $ and the quantity of bends/cuts to justify.I also have a portable MultiQuip hydraulic rebar cutter and 300 lb MultiQuip bender that bends up to #8 rebar. Summary: the manual benders works fine for small quantities of smaller bar diameters.Good luck.LINCOLNSquare Wave TIG 200Power MIG 210 MPRanger 330 MPXMILLERThunderbolt AC/DCHYPERTHERMPowermax 190CPowermax 45XPHOUGANHMD 130HMD 505FEIN/SLUGGER 14" COLD METAL CHOP SAW 9" COLD METAL HAND-HELD SAW
Reply:Ingenuity, Smithdoor, 123weld - appreciation in your valued feedback.  Glad to hear that the Klutch may seem to be a good option for small qty, hobby hacks like myself!Thank you!  (I have to find a friend I can perpetually "borrow" these things from!!!)
Reply:OK - I pulled the trigger - have the Klutch version in the link.   Gave it a run on some 1/2" rebar - was skeptical - but after using it very satisfied!  Have sheared 1/2" rebar end off using the jaw - works well!  Can easily bend out hairpin legs, 90 degree, whatever you want to do - going to experiment in bending, turning and pulling through to see if I can get that snake like spiral out of rebar.  Anyway - appreciate all's input - for $200 and free 2 day shipping - quite satisfied with the latest toy - I mean tool - definitely meant tool...!