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Anyone built a pro-tools bender?

I looked at that but from what I could see, the max bend would be around 90 degrees. Anybody have any first hand experience?
 
Not the Pro-Tools bender but, I am building a GotTrikes.com Air/Hydraulic Tube bender. There is a HUGE thead on Pirate about this bender here: Homebuilt Tubing Bender on PBB

Actually just ordered the steel I need (plus some 1.75" .120 DOM I need for the Jeep) and it's being delievered on Wednesday (11/21/07)! :D Should be good as I'll hopefully be able to get done a big chuck of it done over T-Day break.

I was planning on building the one you linked in your original post from Pro-Tools, yet I wasn't a fan of the bottle jack and I figured that going to the Air/Hydro would be a wise choice. Besides the dies I'll be into it for about $250-280 which inculdes the plans, steel (had some of it), Air/Hydro Ram and hardware.

Just something to else for you to ponder. :cool:
 
I really like that Got-trikes bender, that looks nice and very performance friendly.

Please let us all know how it works out when you get the dies.

Thanks for the input, I am glad I asked.
 
GlueNTape said:
I really like that Got-trikes bender, that looks nice and very performance friendly.

Please let us all know how it works out when you get the dies.

Thanks for the input, I am glad I asked.
Click to expand...
If you read the PBB thread there is WAY more than you'll ever need to know about the bender. Any specific questions shoot an email to Frank (Got-Trikes owner). I sent him an email with a few questions and his responses were prompt and informative.

I'll shoot some pictures after the T-Day break and post my progress. I'm searching now for the best price on dies...
 
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I built oneof the pro-tools unit and built several extra pieces (the expensive pieces). Works great and can do somewhere around 120 degrees.

PM me and I will give you a cost for the extra pieces I have.

here is what i have extras of:
side plates
roller block
support bracket
roller
base plate
roller pin

first piece I bent with it (ther is alos a movie).
http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2089384356
 
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Well it's taken almost a year.....:rolleyes:
Seems that something else kept coming up and there never seemed to be enough time to finish it.
After making 4 bends I realized that pumping the ram by hand wasn't going to br alot of fun. So I picked up an Air-Over Hydraulic Ram from Harbor Freight. Muuuuuch better now!!
I still need to find a large metal protractor to use as a degree wheel for it.
Bender.jpg
 
Frank Z said:
Well it's taken almost a year.....:rolleyes:
I still need to find a large metal protractor to use as a degree wheel for it.
Bender.jpg
Click to expand...


Craftsman makes a nice protractor that has a magnetic strip built in. I bought one when I was setting pinion angles. It would work great for your bender as well.
 
Frank Z said:
Saw-Wheat! Got a link by any chance?
Click to expand...

Nah I just went to Sears to replace a couple of broken tools and it was just in their locked glass case right next to what I needed to replace. So I bought it. 'Bout two years ago now. They prolly still got em at Sears.
 
I used one of these benders for one job & one job only.. It's a PITA to use with guide bar & like stated before it only goes 90deg. Makes nice bends but no way to attach a deg ring. We did have the air over hydro conversion though & that part is pretty cool. I just spent the $$$ for a JD3. My 2 cents.

old_man said:
I looked at that but from what I could see, the max bend would be around 90 degrees. Anybody have any first hand experience?
Click to expand...
 
hellbilly04 said:
I used one of these benders for one job & one job only.. It's a PITA to use with guide bar & like stated before it only goes 90deg. Makes nice bends but no way to attach a deg ring. We did have the air over hydro conversion though & that part is pretty cool. I just spent the $$$ for a JD3. My 2 cents.
Click to expand...
Maybe I just haven't bent enough tube with mine but it works well for me. I picked up a pair of Starrett angle finders and they stay put right on the tube (magnetic) while bending. For the amount of money I have into the bender I'd say I'm happy with the results.

I'll post some pictures later this week when I get everything painted up and finished. It's just plain to cold to paint right now. :(
 
don't get me wrong & didn't mean to knock this bender, it's a great bender I just didn't like fussing with the guide bar. I did use a magnetic angle finder on the tube but it's not a perfect or the same bend evey time though.. If you have to put the tube back in the die for more bend that's where the fun starts!

RCman said:
Maybe I just haven't bent enough tube with mine but it works well for me. I picked up a pair of Starrett angle finders and they stay put right on the tube (magnetic) while bending. For the amount of money I have into the bender I'd say I'm happy with the results.

I'll post some pictures later this week when I get everything painted up and finished. It's just plain to cold to paint right now. :(
Click to expand...
 
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