I'm planning on building a roll cage for my EF later this spring and in preparation I constructed a tubing bender based on the Blind Chicken Racing design. It utilizes the Pro-Tools HMP-200 die and roller. I ordered all the steel parts parts cut into rectange pieces where applicable. Then used a hole saw bit to cut holes and a 2 axis mill to run the runner guide. Side supports use 1/4" and the bottle jack stand uses 1/2" for the platform and 3/8" for the uprights. I still am waiting on getting the correct 1" solid rod that will replace the one with threaded nuts on it (accidentally received wrong part). Also waiting on the actual roller after which I will weld in a lower support piece to keep the roller from deflecting on downward forces. For the 1-3/4" die, it seams to fit best in the middle set of holes for the upper support, so I will weld and fab some braces to keep the top rod from deflecting. Then put some brackets on the bottom for securing the whole unit to the floor. Once it gets nice out, i'll sand blast the whole unit and paint it black.

Cost:
Bottle Jack - $30 (12 Ton Sears)
Steel - $50
Die - $235 (includes Die, Follower Die, tube holding bracket and pin)
Roller - $75
Misc heat treated rods - $25
Misc Hardware - $25 (springs, bolts)

Total - $440 ($205 without Die kit)

Similar completed unit from Pro-Tools runs $495 without any die's.

 

Nice bit of fabrication. Now lets see some pictures of some bends

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by levelzero &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice bit of fabrication. Now lets see some pictures of some bends </TD></TR></TABLE>

+1... you can't show us this creation without the results of what it can do!

 

I'll see what I can do, i've got 80 ft of 1-3/4" x 0.095" wall. The roller and pin should be here sometime this week and I could probably have it finished welded up before I watch the Bears take down the Colts on Sunday. Being as the highs are in the 10-20 degree F range, i'm going to have to wait a bit before I attempt to visit the cold garage where all the tube is at.

 

or you could have bought this one for about the same cost as your material. i have one, it works great.

http://www.portabletubingbender.com/main.html

 

andy, did you used to be on crx.preformance.org?

 

Sure did, haven't been around there much, since things have slowed down and not as much learning info can be found there for me.