Author Topic: Harbor Frieght pipe bender (Read 71671 times)

unclejpl4x4 · « **on:** Apr 17, 2008, 07:51:42 AM »

I have been debating on geting a bender

I have heard bad things and i have seen them used and work.

Now i don't plan on doing a lot of bending and can't justify buying a high end model.

Also never bent a tube bigger then a brake line befor.

So i would like 2 see who has used them and wich model 12T or 16T and the out come.

12T
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=38024

16T
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=35336

EarlKann · « **Reply #1 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 08:06:54 AM »

Those are pipe benders, not tube benders, don't waste your money. Pro-Tools or JD2 (squared) make reasonable manual benders that can often be found used, or pay a shop to bend some tubes for you if you won't be doing that much.

DTB · « **Reply #2 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 08:14:29 AM »

x2...dont even waste your money joe.....

they call them "tube kinkers" for a reason....

although, i have seen some people use them with success...just not that often...I would imagine you would probably waste more steel on bad bends....steel aint cheap right now u know?

You should be able to get a jd2 with a die for like 500(?)

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #3 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 08:44:08 AM »

Quote from: DirToyBoy on Apr 17, 2008, 08:14:29 AM

x2...dont even waste your money joe.....

they call them "tube kinkers" for a reason....

although, i have seen some people use them with success...just not that often...I would imagine you would probably waste more steel on bad bends....steel aint cheap right now u know?

You should be able to get a jd2 with a die for like 500(?)

It was only a matter of time before the obligatory HF pipe bender psot happened.

I for one am a MASTER of the kinker, but I have the super skilz.

TIMS89CRAWLER · « **Reply #4 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 08:48:08 AM »

just as everyone above said the harbor freight bender is for bending pipe not tubing.... it will just crease the tubing to bend it and it looks like

just my

BigBs84 · « **Reply #5 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 09:08:15 AM »

Heres one im working on with my HF bender

BigBs84 · « **Reply #6 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 09:15:58 AM »

This is my first one I did about 2 years ago again with my HF bender

unclejpl4x4 · « **Reply #7 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 09:42:37 AM »

I meant 2 say pipe not tube for making bumpers and such things.

unclejpl4x4 · « **Reply #8 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 09:44:22 AM »

see 500$ for something i might use 5 times is a little $$ for me. as for manuel bending........ thats for the birds

krawlz · « **Reply #9 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 09:48:18 AM »

I used the HF bender, It looks OK from a distance, but you can see the ripples in the tube up close. If you do use one, expect to take alot of time on each bend.

ROCKO · « **Reply #10 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 10:02:31 AM »

if your were in nor-cal i would bend it for you but it a long drive to get tubing bent

jtaco1 · « **Reply #11 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 10:28:18 AM »

I have the 12 ton version and it works great. We have bent up 3 bumpers with it so far and I will be doing 2 more in the next few months for my 4 Runner. Get the pipe from the steel supply house and stick a wrag between the pipe and the rollers. I have bent 90's with it many times without a problem, no wasted bends, just put the rollers all the way out. We used 1.25" schedule 40 pipe for everything.

Here's one I built for my Tacoma, built one just like it for a buddy.

spc mike · « **Reply #12 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 10:48:04 AM »

i have the 12 ton bender and it work fine. If your not going to be making severe angle bends its perfect....and also the thicker the pipe the better the bend will be....

MiniSimp · « **Reply #13 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 10:58:43 AM »

If you are building your junk out of poop pipe, it'll work great, but the outer diameter of pipe is not the same as the OD of tubing.

Example: 1.5" tubing OD = 1.5",... 1.5" pipe OD = 1.90"

KYOTA · « **Reply #14 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 12:29:06 PM »

dont expect to get even a 90* without the pipe collapsing

Intrepidyota · « **Reply #15 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 12:29:29 PM »

I used the 12 ton and pipe on my entire cage (not done yet). Say what you want about pipe but it is better than a stock roof and WAY more affordable. I spent about $175 on pipe, got a bender for free from a buddy, and bought a harbor freight chop saw on sale for $60 which I split with another friend.

Did this bumper a while back out of 1.5" pipe:

My cage, incomplete, primed the welds, couldn't resist playing a little in the driveway.

1.25" pipe:

My friend steve, 1.25" pipe, 12 ton bender, and an angle grinder

Intrepidyota · « **Reply #16 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 12:31:44 PM »

Quote from: KYOTA on Apr 17, 2008, 12:29:06 PM

dont expect to get even a 90* without the pipe collapsing

This is 100% true. I would venture you can go to 75-80* with some minor kinking only.

jtaco1 · « **Reply #17 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:01:07 PM »

Quote from: KYOTA on Apr 17, 2008, 12:29:06 PM

dont expect to get even a 90* without the pipe collapsing

Quote from: Intrepidyota on Apr 17, 2008, 12:31:44 PM

This is 100% true. I would venture you can go to 75-80* with some minor kinking only.

I haven't had any problem getting a 90* there are two on the bumper pictured above. I will have several on my rear bumper for the 4 Runner. You gotta move the rollers around to the next pin location, but it can be done without kinking with 1.25 pipe.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #18 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:05:56 PM »

This is pretty darn close to a full 90.

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #19 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:09:44 PM »

The larger the dia of the pipe the more it will want to kink.Also some pipe has hard spots that will cause it to split.

The dies will also start to stretch out the more you use them and will kink more and more as it gets used.

I would only use it for bumpers, sliders and maybe exo's.

You get what you pay for.

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #20 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:11:30 PM »

Quote from: CTENG in KS on Apr 17, 2008, 01:05:56 PM

This is pretty darn close to a full 90.

That is USA pipe too, don't expect that with import pipe.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #21 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:18:34 PM »

Hater.

unclejpl4x4 · « **Reply #22 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:24:56 PM »

I knew this was gonna be a juicy thread......

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #23 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:29:17 PM »

Quote from: unclejpl4x4 on Apr 17, 2008, 01:24:56 PM

I knew this was gonna be a juicy thread......

Yea, but I'm pro choice.

jtaco1 · « **Reply #24 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:34:24 PM »

Quote from: Willy Mammoth on Apr 17, 2008, 01:11:30 PM

That is USA pipe too, don't expect that with import pipe.

Yep thats why I said to get it from a steel supplier, pretty much garunteed to be ASTM Schedule 40, much better than from Lowes or HD and is available in 20' lengths.

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #25 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:36:05 PM »

That there was str8 off the shelf at Lowes.

unclejpl4x4 · « **Reply #26 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:37:34 PM »

How about this

when bending with a HF bender what pipe works best ?

CTENG in KS · « **Reply #27 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:39:13 PM »

The black kind.

The key is to make sure the weld seam is on the inside of the bend and GO SLOW. You must have patience otherwise the pipe will flatten out on you.

Willy Mammoth · « **Reply #28 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:39:39 PM »

The pipe I got for the old exo came from Alro metals and it was made in Inda, needless to say I had a hell of a time with t kinking and spliting.

Just have to watch what you are buying.

jtaco1 · « **Reply #29 on:** Apr 17, 2008, 01:44:29 PM »

Quote from: CTENG in KS on Apr 17, 2008, 01:39:13 PM

The black kind.

The key is to make sure the weld seam is on the inside of the bend and GO SLOW. You must have patience otherwise the pipe will flatten out on you.

Yep and put the rollers all the way out and stick a bunched up rag between the pipe and rollers to keep from denting the pipe. I have only bent 1.25" pipe.


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