I need to borrow or use a tube bender

[HandBuiltXJ]

I got my project together, now it is time ot bend my roll cage, but my buddy who had a tube bender, ended up being a pipe bender and that wont work for me. so does anyone in the so cal area have a tube bender that i can borrow or use. I will be using somewhere between 1.5" to 2" tube depending on what dies you all have for the bender. So close to being done with my project, so close.

john

[Skullver]

I got my project together, now it is time ot bend my roll cage, but my buddy who had a tube bender, ended up being a pipe bender and that wont work for me. so does anyone in the so cal area have a tube bender that i can borrow or use. I will be using somewhere between 1.5" to 2" tube depending on what dies you all have for the bender. So close to being done with my project, so close.

johnI have one in Ventura, CA, I couldn't let you take it with you but you are welcome to come and bend all your tubing, I also have a notcher etc. The die I currently have is 1.75"x6"clr., works real good for the 1.75" x .120 DOM, there is also a tubing supplier about 2 blocks from my shop, the last price I paid for my 1.75"x.120" DOM was $4.50 /ft which is a pretty cheap price from what I can tell. Let me know

[HandBuiltXJ]

might be worth the drive, my buddy is actually down here in vista right now, and he is from ventura. If i can't find someone closer, i might have to take you up on that, do you know the price for there standard 1.75 x .120 ?

john

[Skullver]

might be worth the drive, my buddy is actually down here in vista right now, and he is from ventura. If i can't find someone closer, i might have to take you up on that, do you know the price for there standard 1.75 x .120 ?

johnI don't, the seamless is the way to go for a cage though imo, I will check next time I am over there, it is called Ventura Steel if you want to check, they are closed weekends though:( Let me know if you can't find one closer.

[Captain Ron]

...
it is called Ventura Steel if you want to check,
...

You're not serious.

Bend over and get raped. They are worse than Gold Coast Steel.

--ron

[xjkevin]

man in san bernardino at patton steel its 7.37 a foot thats for 1 1/4 dom.120:flame: the best price ive found around here is 5.37 a foot

[HandBuiltXJ]

Ok, so back to is there anyone closer to Vista that has a tube bender that i can use/borrow?

[Jump This]

I have one. I'm in Borrego Springs and the bender is mounted to the floor.'
Your welcome to bring your project over it you want!
Rick R
Lets face it, I offer the use of my shop and nobody takes me up on it...
I wonder why :dunno:
Okay, maybe its the heat out here. Its nice and cool now. :D
Rick R

[HandBuiltXJ]

75 miles away that is getting closer, are you available on the weekends? Tube you also have a notcher and maybe a plasma for cutting the plate?

john


I have one. I'm in Borrego Springs and the bender is mounted to the floor.'
Your welcome to bring your project over it you want!
Rick R
Lets face it, I offer the use of my shop and nobody takes me up on it...
I wonder why :dunno:
Okay, maybe its the heat out here. Its nice and cool now. :D
Rick R

[Jump This]

I have plasma cutter, and I use a chop saw for notching.....okay..so I am a cheap scape and havn't kicked down for anything fancy for notching.
I havn't bent much tube yet, so maybe we can find a volunteer with some experience to help out...either that or bring about a 50% waste factor into the order of tube.:D I have 1 1/2 dies along with some smaller, havn't had any need for anthing larger yet.
Rick R
Let me know

[HandBuiltXJ]

I have a tubing notcher if you have a press. Maybe someone has a 1.75 or 2.0" die we could use if i come up there. Still hopeing there is someone closer, but the plasma cutter is pretty tempting.

john

[Goatman]

I think you're fine with 1.5" tubing. If you're building an internal cage you want it as tight to the outside as you can get it. My cage is made out of 1.5", and I rolled pretty good last year. The cage held up very well. I think the design is as important, or more important, than the tube size.

[HandBuiltXJ]

did you build your own cage, or did you buy a prebent one?

john

I think you're fine with 1.5" tubing. If you're building an internal cage you want it as tight to the outside as you can get it. My cage is made out of 1.5", and I rolled pretty good last year. The cage held up very well. I think the design is as important, or more important, than the tube size.

[HandBuiltXJ]

is your bender hydraulic? Are you any good at welding? and what are your plans for this coming weekend?
john

I have plasma cutter, and I use a chop saw for notching.....okay..so I am a cheap scape and havn't kicked down for anything fancy for notching.
I havn't bent much tube yet, so maybe we can find a volunteer with some experience to help out...either that or bring about a 50% waste factor into the order of tube.:D I have 1 1/2 dies along with some smaller, havn't had any need for anthing larger yet.
Rick R
Let me know

[Goatman]

did you build your own cage, or did you buy a prebent one?

john


Built my own.........a combination of internal and external. To me, if you're going to go through the trouble of building a cage it should include an external roof hoop, so the body is protected as well as the passengers.

[Jump This]

is your bender hydraulic? Are you any good at welding? and what are your plans for this coming weekend?
john

No. Thats a matter of opinion. I'm home on Sunday.:D
Rick R

[HandBuiltXJ]

pm sent, see you sunday.

john
No. Thats a matter of opinion. I'm home on Sunday.:D
Rick R

[HandBuiltXJ]

Thank you very much rick. 50% waste factor was right on, HUH. Man, it was 105 degrees on the way home, though. I really do appreciate you letting me use your bender and tools man, that plasma cutter was pretty cool.

john

I have plasma cutter, and I use a chop saw for notching.....okay..so I am a cheap scape and havn't kicked down for anything fancy for notching.
I havn't bent much tube yet, so maybe we can find a volunteer with some experience to help out...either that or bring about a 50% waste factor into the order of tube.:D I have 1 1/2 dies along with some smaller, havn't had any need for anthing larger yet.
Rick R
Let me know

[David Taylor]

pics of work ?

[Jump This]

We didn't have a camera in the garage during the build up.
John's design consisted of two main hoops from front to back.
He plans on B pilllar uprights and four (I think?) cross braces along the
roof line..from there he will add as nesc.
I was impressed with how accurate the bends turned out...well....all but the missmarked second attempt... :D So to be more accurate....33% waste factor!
Rick R

[Skullver]

We didn't have a camera in the garage during the build up.
John's design consisted of two main hoops from front to back.
He plans on B pilllar uprights and four (I think?) cross braces along the
roof line..from there he will add as nesc.
I was impressed with how accurate the bends turned out...well....all but the missmarked second attempt... :D So to be more accurate....33% waste factor!
Rick R
not sure if you guys have used bendtech but it really cuts down on the waste factor.

[Jump This]

What is bendtech?
Rick R

[HandBuiltXJ]

yes, please elaborat, what is bendtech?

[Skullver]

yes, please elaborat, what is bendtech?
sorry. 3-d modeling software for bending tube, really nice stuff. You build a e-model of what you are trying to create, bendtech calculates all bend start points using the calibrated centerline radius of the die you are using, makes for minimal waste and real clean fits from small projects such as bumpers to complete tubular chassis. Here is the company that makes it:

http://www.2020softwaresolutions.com/

and here is a forum where there are screenshots, examples, and the creator hangs around alot answering questions and sharing new release data:

http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=103

[RWKHausSupply]

using bendtech and never bending tube before a certain someone asked me to build a jeep speed cage, I only had I think one bend not go right, using the bendtech and bending, both for the first time.

All in all it turned out great I think, but thats a better opinion left to the owner, as well as a full CJ cage, another portion to a XJ, and now my cage, as well as numerous other things... The only waste I have had was that first piece mentioned above, as then not doing any bending for a long time I inserted the tube to the bend start and it was backwards. so two bends only in like 40+ total bends. not bad if you ask me for a begineer.

[Jump This]

I just signed up for Bendtech.
Now all I need is some time to work on it!
Thanks Robert
Rick R