Anyone know if this is a good tube bender?

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Hey guys. Anyone know what kind of tube bender this is. I have no idea of the brand but there is the sticker you can see on the bender. This is for sale locally to me. Anyone know how much I should pay? The guy says he has lots of dies with it.
Reply:It is a flat stock bender ,there are no tube/pipe dies on it in the picture .gxbxc
Reply:Looks to be the run of the mill Harbor Freight bender or one of numerous clones sold through various other retailers. I seem to remember there may be dies available on one of the 4 wheeler sites...pirateoffroad maybe. Its a low buck bender, if that is what you're looking for.Lincoln 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:Gotch. I'm new to the Fabrication world and I know I need a tube bender in the future and so far some people on some of these forums have mentioned that tube benders, especially the dies can be very expensive. So I guess along with being expensive, they can be cheap too? As for performance though, what makes a more expensive tube bender worth it assuming this is just going to be used in a hobby fabrication shop.
Reply:To  GXBXC    : I think your probably right after looking at the photo again...at least as its pictured.
Reply:It is a handy bender.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:It's a compact bender, http://www.harborfreight.com/compact-bender-38470.html. You can use a 20 or 25% off coupon and save some bucks. It works for me and inexpensive.
Reply:Originally Posted by outdoortGotch. I'm new to the Fabrication world and I know I need a tube bender in the future and so far some people on some of these forums have mentioned that tube benders, especially the dies can be very expensive. So I guess along with being expensive, they can be cheap too? As for performance though, what makes a more expensive tube bender worth it assuming this is just going to be used in a hobby fabrication shop.
Reply:I have one and it works very well. Even with instructions there is a learning curve. It's not meant for heavy metals, but I've heated the metal in my forge and the bending works better. I also reinforce the handle at the bender yoke/handle junction.
Reply:I have that same bender at the house and I use it every now and then for flat or solid stock. It dosent do tubing worth a crap! This is about the best bang for your buck if you want to bend tubing easily without kinking it...http://www.eastwood.com/professional-tubing-bender.html It's a mandrelle bender for under $500 that will probably do everything you need done.Anything other than copper and conduit is a real pain to bend without a good machine!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!
Reply:I have a bench top version of that bender due to space and it works pretty good for what I use it for.  I bend up to 1/2 solid rod with mine.  It is cheap, but for what I need a bender to do, it works fine.
Reply:Thanks for the reply's so far. I guess the tube benders today can be manufactured miles apart from eachother in quality and price. I think that I'm going to hold off untill I get some more money to buy a tube bender. I have 4x4 stuff I want to make, and eventually sell to friends and such so I want to get a well built one that gives me quality bends every time.
Reply:anyone know where i can get some tube bending dies for this?If the conversation isn’t money, then I’ll see you later.
Reply:Originally Posted by MOE1anyone know where i can get some tube bending dies for this?
Reply:Take a look at Eastwood You might see one you like.  BJ
Reply:Originally Posted by bjanacekTake a look at Eastwood You might see one you like.  BJ
Reply:Great tube bender...just got it last week with few dies....amazing...I wish I got it long time agoMade in USA...superb quality
Reply:An Ercolina is a great bender too if you have money to burn. How much? I bought a simpler Pro-tool bender about 15 years ago and it was right around $2000 with an 1 3/4" die. Then I bought an inexpensive $200(on sale) air hyd pump and it worked great. I'm sure there's cheaper options. The one I bought has an arm that flips up to make removing the tube easier. Dies for sq. tubing are also available. If you just want to bend pipe, you can get 12 or 16 ton benders that come with a hyd bottle jack and all the dies for $200-$300 bucks at places like Harbor freight or Princess auto in Canada.
Reply:Originally Posted by miroslavGreat tube bender...just got it last week with few dies....amazing...I wish I got it long time agoMade in USA...superb quality
Reply:I have the bench mount version.  Does fine on little stuff.  I can get it to bend 16 gauge 1/2 square tubing with the biggest dies but any smaller and it usually kinks.  But for things like 1/2 square bar, flat stock, and even bend tests coupons it will work.  it needs to be anchored really well to work as pulling can put quite a bit of torque on the base.  My daughter also like to hang on the handle and swing so it serves dual purposes.
Reply:It is there only when I need it..I got concrete inserts on the bottom and it will not be there at all times. Thanks for your concern...so far I walked into it twice...ughhhh..
Reply:You cannot use any round stock on this chicom bender because the sharp edges bend and distort I would suggest getting a heavier frame and common does or make your dies from cheap pipe bender dies. Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk
Reply:There is a cool home made tubing bender set up, were the plans are offered on ebay here is a pic in the link.http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-...ng-roller.html
Reply:you shouldn't buy it. the machine itself is on sale right now for $90 and with 25% off on new years that means it's worth $70 new or $50 used IMHO.i've made dies for mine that cost me about $100. Made an 8" diameter one and even that one kinked 1" square aluminum tube. if you put a piece of thick wire to create the inside of the curve it will bend 8" radisu ok, but with lots of concave distortion, better to just save up and buy a better bender. i'm assuming you are bending thick tube like 1.5" x 16 gauge or thicker steel? you really need to mention what you will use it for.