Pipe Bender

Discussion in 'Tool & Shop Talk' started by Rando76, Sep 10, 2013.

  1. Rando76

    Rando76 Member

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    Besides being obessed with Mavericks, I also own Heald SuperTrykes. Since chrome is so expensive, I've decided to replace rusty parts with stainless steel. I'm looking to bend 1" stainless tubing for handlebars, footpegs, etc. I've tried a cheap bender from Harbor Freight, but they don't bend past 90 degrees. Any good ideas for a cheap bender that will bend greater than 90 degrees?

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    Rando76, Sep 10, 2013
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  2. Maxx Levell

    Maxx Levell Member

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    Hi Randy,

    You definitely want a tubing bender, and not a pipe bender. The difference is that pipe is measured by inside diameter, and tubing is measured by outside diameter. Pipe is usually much thicker, and, so doesn't want to kink as bad as the thinner tubing. I have a JD2 tubing bender, and it wasn't TOO expensive. You can get dies that bend to 180 + degrees with it. There are other lower cost benders out there as well, really just depends on how much you think you're going to use it, and how much you want to spend. I've used mine a lot! Unfortunately, you're not going to find a HF alternative...I tried to find one when I was looking as well! I'm not sure how well a bender is going to do stainless without marring it either. The bending process is pretty rough on tube. I've never tried to bend anything but raw steel tubing, so I'm not much help there. I'm pretty sure any dings could be polished out...but I have no experience there at all to base that belief on.

    Good luck on whatever you try to find...they're out there, you just have to see what best suits your needs.
     
    Maxx Levell, Sep 10, 2013
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  3. cyclonewill

    cyclonewill Member

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    cyclonewill, Sep 10, 2013
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  4. Rando76

    Rando76 Member

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    Thanks. The only parts I can get for these are footpegs, which are bent in stainless. They have no marks and look great. I looked at the JD2 bender and watched videos on youtube on how to use it. I really want one, but it seems $600-$800 is the minimum including a die set for 1". That's much more expensive than the $100 Harbor Freight bender! Someone has suggested I talk to a muffler shop. I've tried a couple, but none have dies for 1". I understand, who has 1" exhaust? :rofl2:

    I knew the difference between tubing and pipe. Why I said pipe, I don't know. Last week, I searched all over Tulsa for stainless tubing. I finally found a source, but I can get it online cheaper including shipping!

    You know it. Suit and tie all the time. :cool: right..... :rofl:
     
    Last edited: Sep 11, 2013
    Rando76, Sep 11, 2013
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