[boodlefoof]

Hey guys... I'm not sure if this fits in bench racing, but here goes...

Is there anybody in the Northern VA area with a tubing bender that would be able to help a fellow TC member out?

I'm currently working on my other car project (the Datsun 240-Z) and am ready to build the roll cage. I've done serious modifications to the car, so any pre-fabbed cage will not work (lowered roof, raked windshield, spaceframe chassis). Also, the car is currently immobile, so unfortunately I wouldn't be able to bring it to the bender to do the work. I've never used a bender either, so I might need a few tips on how to place the bends where they need to go.

I've purchased the 1.5'' x .095'' DOM tubing I plan to use, but would rather not spend the $ on a bender and dies right now. The cheapest thing I've been able to find is the Medford Tools Model 3, which is still $299 + $225 for the die set I need.

If you happen to have a bender that would do the job, I'd really appreciate a hand with getting this project moving. There will be a big case of beer in it for you if that is to your liking!

Thanks all.

[TDW]

John...Just a suggestion here. I had to have some pipe bent up a while back. I went to one of the local 4x4 truck shops and asked the guys in the back room if they had any suggestions. One of them had a good bender that he used at home. He loaded it up, came over and bent the pipe up for me. Cost me 50 bucks.

[Silver69Camaro]

I'd send your specs out to anybody to makes roll cages. We do make custom ones (we send you the spec sheet and you fill it out), and I'm sure others do too. Use 1-5/8" HREW instead of 1-1/2" DOM and you're ahead on strength. We also bend tubing for linkages, suspension parts, etc.

[camaroman7d]

I second Matts suggestion. Any of the Chassis/Race car shops can set you up with a cage that is custom to your car. Since you are back east you might want to talk to S&W Racecars, shipping a cage accross country isn't the cheapest thing to do. Other wise I would suggest Art Morrison or Chris Alston. I'm sure there are many more to choose from. My odd ball car needed a custom cage, I sent in my measurements and they bent it up, you will still have fab/fitting work to do but the major bends will be in the right place and done right.

[boodlefoof]

Thanks for the input guys.

I thought about the custom cage, but I already have the tubing and if I'm going to spend several hundred bucks on having a custom cage bent and shipped I might as well just buy the tubing bender and have it for future projects. I'll see if I can find a local shop (or guy at the truck stop! - good call) and price the labor on bending my steel.

Already looked at the equipment rental places... no tubing benders.

[Everett#2390]

John, two places here in Tidewater, Mike Balf, 757-729-8812, he makes complete cars. Excellent work.

American Hot Rod & Classics, 757-671-7637, ask for Joyce or Raleigh

[rojo]

Would one of these work or is it junk. I've seen them at Habor Freight as well.

[Silver69Camaro]

Originally Posted by rojo

Would one of these work or is it junk. I've seen them at Habor Freight as well.

If you want to make quality bends, you need around $120,000 for a mandrel bender. I wouldn't have "some guy" bend one up without using a mandrel, it weakens the tubing consideribly. We've tried that years ago and tested the strength...no comparison, assuming the bend was more than 20*. Less than that a regular bender is fine.

IMO, the "right" way to do it is with a mandrel, but then I'm a little biased...

[boodlefoof]

rojo,

I've seen those before, but it doesn't seem to give a very tight radius bend. The bender I was looking at is: http://www.tubing-benders.com/model3bender.html

Silver69Camaro,

I might have my terminology confused. I thought that mandrel bent tubing just meant that the tubing had a consistent internal diameter, so anything that keeps the tube round while you bend it is a "mandrel bender."

[Silver69Camaro]

Originally Posted by boodlefoof

rojo,

I've seen those before, but it doesn't seem to give a very tight radius bend. The bender I was looking at is: http://www.tubing-benders.com/model3bender.html

Silver69Camaro,

I might have my terminology confused. I thought that mandrel bent tubing just meant that the tubing had a consistent internal diameter, so anything that keeps the tube round while you bend it is a "mandrel bender."

That is correct. Are you able to rent one? I've never seen a "home-use" one before.

[BellzToll]

Originally Posted by Everett#2390

John, two places here in Tidewater, Mike Balf, 757-729-8812, he makes complete cars. Excellent work.

American Hot Rod & Classics, 757-671-7637, ask for Joyce or Raleigh

Also in Norfolk is
Steen racing, guy's name is Jason. Does mainly Mustang's but does do cages, may be willing to work with you on getting the tubing bent.
757-480-RACE

[boodlefoof]

Thanks Everett and Dave, I appreciate the recommendations. Unfortunately I need to update my user profile... I'm up in Northern VA now rather than in Richmond, so a trip to the Tidewater region isn't as short as it once was.

Matt, this is about the only once I've seen for under a grand. Most of them are big, hydraulic things. I did call around to some local tool rental places, but they only carry things like engine lifts... no tubing benders unfortunately...

[camaroman7d]

There are benders out there you can bend your cage with. You will NOT find a mandrel bender for home use. While mandrel bends are the nicest, smoothest, no kinks or distortion, they are not required. If you are dead set on using your tubing, then buying a bender might be your best choice. Most shops will not bend your tuning for you. The reason is if you go out and get hurt in a crash they are on the hook if the tubing fails. I had a piece of roll cage tubing I wanted a bend put in and the shop wouldn't do it for the reason I stated above. Maybe it was a BS line becuase they didn't want to do it. Just something to think about.

When I was look to buy a bender, I looked at the model you listed as well as a couple others (can't think of the names right now). If you plan on bending more tubing in the future and can justify buying a bender, then I think you should just bite the bullet and buy one. One thing I noticed is there are never any used ones for sale. If this is the only cage you will be dealing with you would be money ahead to just order up a cage, it will cost less than the bender. Just a few things to think about.

[boodlefoof]

Yeah Royce, that's kind of what I've been thinking (that I might use the bender again and again). I kind of feel that if I do buy the bender... I'll end up finding reasons to use it! Heck, my father-in-law wants to build a trailer... sounds like a good job for a bender!

I might just have to wait a few weeks and then buy the thing... Not waiting for a paycheck, just to space out parts purchases so as not to anger the wife! I just recently spent a bit on a rear axle housing and some other parts.

[davidpozzi]

Here's a link to building your own bender, but the dies are probably more money for a one-shot type bender like this.
http://www.metalwebnews.com/howto/tu...be-bender.html

One thing to consider is the price of the dies you will need. You can easily have more money in the dies than the bender.