Tubing benders:What do you guys use at the pro shops?

[OOCustoms]

I have seen a lot about tubing benders for cages on here and on other sites but i want to know what you guys at the pro shops use for tubing benders. Im in the process of opening my own shop and im still trying to find out what kind of bender i want to get. My only requirements is that it be powered due to i am a 1 man operation and dont want to deal with pulling that damn lever over and over and not be extremely expensive (3000+). I am willing to spend about this if I'm getting a good unit. I only wish i could afford a mandrel bender! I will be using it for cages and chassis and anything else needed. I would like to hear what you have to say about the bender you use and what clear pros and cons of it are. Any other input would be greatly appreciated! thanks:D

[Overkill]

I'm definately not a professional shop. I just play around with things from time to time, but I have the Pro-tools 105 HD bender. http://www.pro-tools.com/105.htm I have the manual version, but they have an air-over-hydraulic kit for it. It seems to be a popular brand/version with some of the professional shops that I've seen on one of the fabrication forums that I check out on a regular basis. The other thing that you definately need is the 2020 Software Solutions' Bend-Tech Pro or SE http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/ . It is definately a time saver when designing and bending.

[OOCustoms]

thanks for the reply. i really like the one they have thats hydraulic powered. the kick in the wallet is the power unit to go with it is as much as the bender itself is. seems to be where most of the money goes with most of the units out there. so does anyone else wanna chip in on this thread? i really wanna see what you guys use and think of your units!

Marc

[68protouring454]

www.vansantent.com
i got the jmr tubing bender, billet dies, can bend 180º and will bend to .250 wall
2500 with 2 dies, works killer
http://www.vansantent.com/tube_bending_machines/JMR_1005_bender.htm
works awesome and is well worth the extra 500 or so over the mittler bros bender

[kennyd]

i have the same one as jake posted .

[68protouring454]

i have the same one as jake posted .

thats cool, when did you pick up the air/hydraulic bender?

[abadsvt]

I am definately not a shop but i have the manuel version of that JMR hydraulic bender and i love it. I plan on converting mine to hydraulic but regardless it is a sweet bender.

Josh

[ironworks]

Ercolina Super bender with all the various radius's. I also have the Bailegh orbital notcher. Awesome equipment

[bigtyme1]

Anybody in the northern MD or Southern PA got one of these that they would want to hook up one week end? Got some bending to do for a small project.

[OOCustoms]

Ercolina Super bender with all the various radius's. I also have the Bailegh orbital notcher. Awesome equipment

yeah that looks like a nice bender. much more simplified! i was wondering two things though, whats the model number of the notcher you have? i didnt see which one said orbital. And did you contemplate a bailegh bender too and if so why did you shy from that? i just saw they had a similar design and was curious if you had looked at them before the ercolina.

thanks again guys for the responses, it really helps me narrow it down. :hail: :lateral:

[ironworks]

Sorry here is the link. Awesome notcher.

http://www.bii1.com/notchers/notcher-tn800.php

I think I picked the Ercolina because of the broad selection of dies. More radius's to choose from. It was 3 years ago.

Rodger

[OOCustoms]

Sorry here is the link. Awesome notcher.

http://www.bii1.com/notchers/notcher-tn800.php

I think I picked the Ercolina because of the broad selection of dies. More radius's to choose from. It was 3 years ago.

Rodger

thanks again Rodger! that unit looks killer! Im definitely going to look more into those units. i like the simplicity and cleaner functions of them both. Plus seeing your site and the beautiful work your shop does reassures me that these units work great and will be just what i need to do some cool steel work. now just to save up some of the cash.

Marc:D

[ironworks]

Well the results that we produce are also due to the talent my guys have. Good tools and Good talent produces some amazing results.

Thanks Good luck

[Racing Hott]

Anybody in the northern MD or Southern PA got one of these that they would want to hook up one week end? Got some bending to do for a small project.

I do have a jd2. Im not sure what you are looking to do. Im in baltimore. Middle River. I only have some smaller dies 3/4 1" 1 1/4 dies. And bend tech.

[Streetwerkz]

We have Ercolina super bender withthe 2 axis positioner, and Bend Tech (GREAT SOFTWARE!!)

No regrets what so ever

[OOCustoms]

yeah i really like the simplicity of that ercolina bender compared to others, now to just save up the cash. starting a new shop sure can deplete funds quick!! lol

[Streetwerkz]

yeah i really like the simplicity of that ercolina bender compared to others, now to just save up the cash. starting a new shop sure can deplete funds quick!! lol


Nah, just go out back of your house, dig a 1 foot hole, insert 2 quarters in ground ( in case one is a dud)
cover said quarters with dirt
water
wait
water
wait
money tree will come in no time:rofl:

seriously, I know what you mean...... it's a worth while up hill battle

[OOCustoms]

well there are money trees out there but last i checked those are outlawed in the US. hahaha my next few tools on the wish list are the bender, english wheel kit, planishing hammer and shear. thanks again for the input guys i really do appreciate it!

Marc

[ironworks]

Yeap those are great tools but they took me years to get and afford. I did some equipment leases a few years back and was able to purchase what I got. I bought my first TIG welder 7 years ago and then I bought my english wheels. If I did it all over again I would still have bought the best tools I could. I bought a JDsquared bender and that lasted for about 6 months. I don't care if you buy the hydraulic and other attachments, it will never work as good as a production unit if you going to try and make money off of it. My first lease was for the bender, the Eckold Kraftformer, and a few other small tools. My second lease was for a Turnpro Mill, a Proline planishing hammer, a Burr King 20" disc sander, and Solidworks. It is a steep payment but it makes me money every month. But after 3 years it is your for a dollar.

Good luck Guys

[OOCustoms]

ill have to look into that leasing thing. Really right now i need a stomp shear, tubing bender, planishing hammer, english wheel kit, and a open face paint booth. the booth more then ever because i do motorcycle paint jobs. i know what you mean about production tools vs others. Im very much into spending more to get better equipment. All my equipment is either old high quality or new high quality. thanks again for the input iron works and everybody else.