Topic: Pipe Benders

[MidgetMike]

I want to get a pipe bender and am looking to everyone for thier experience with say the harbor frieght special and up in price, ability, and user friendlyness with in reason

What kind of price ranges?
what brands?
Most economical = cheapest price
Least economical = out rageous price
Best for least cash
Best middle of road
Best overall
and your 

[84runner]

I would go with the Pro Tools HD hand bender. You can upgrade it later to hydraulic

[Mike D]

http://www.jmtools.com/store.asp?CategoryID=11%2DShop+Tools&SubcategoryID=Pipe+Benders

[Willy Mammoth]

I have one of those pipe beners with the jack. It is ok for small stuff, but 1 1/2" sch 40 (2" OD) starts to flatten out the more you use it.

[Huhwhye]

Harbor Freight has one on sale for 60 or 70 bucks that includes dies up to 3".  I wonder about it myself.

There are lots of good benders out there but many charge extra for dies, and dies are expensive. A $300 bender ends up costing a grand after you get the dies you want.  For us home mechanics all I need is something that works.  The one from JM mentioned above look interesting

[Mike D]

the 16ton hydralic would do just about anything

[MidgetMike [OP]]

I don't plan on bending anything bigger than 2 and that wouldn't get to tight of a bend no more than 45 I like the harbor jack style cause it looks easy to start your bends   

[nutt case]

(Hi i am nutt case) I have a harbor freight bender it works ok it dose flaten bigger matireal such as 1 3/4 to 2 inch if the bend getts to tight.  I have found that if you keep you'r rollers as far apart as possible  it seems to work better.  I have bent 3x4  1/4 inch wall square tubing with it but i had to build a differant die  and use excessive heat (would not recomend this)    I have found american pipe bends the best

[Willy Mammoth]

Only way to go if you want good bends.

[shortbus]

 Willy Mammoth is right on the money.   The reason a pipe bender flattens out tubing after 45 deg is because it's made for pipe not tubing. Pipe is measured by the I.D. and tubing is O.D. When you use tubing in a pipe bender it doesn't fit snug in the die. I've used one on 1" tubing I had to use a die with a sheetmetal sleeve formed to it to make the tubing fit right. I've waisted alot of tubing using it though.