Specifically, how do you guys go about bending the tubes? Does this require some huge expensive tube bending machine like exhuast shops have? I need one in my car for next season, and 1) I dont like others working on my car...period, and 2) I dont want to pay the price that I know it will cost for what I want when I have the fabrication/welding skills to do it myself for probably 1/4th the cost.

Thanks for any help

 

http://www.jd2.com

I have the model 3 and it works great. THe assembly is not the expensive part...it's the damn Dies that will nickel and dime you to death

 

How much can I expect the dies to cost?

Also, given that this will be the first cage I've made, what kind of prices can I expect on the tubing?

 

the prices on the dies is in the website in the prices section...just pick the dies you want and tell 'em to add it in the total

As far as tubing, there is a sticky post on top of the fab forum with places online

 

Exhaust shops have crush benders that dont supply any structural integrity. A mandrek bend is the only thing you can have under any spec. of racing (plus your life is on the line). Your going to have some basic costs you cant go around:

DOM (drawn over mandrel) 1.5" or 1.75" (check wall thickness reg.), 80 ft (small civic) @ $4/ft. = $360

If you have a welder, AND know how to weld properly then ur ok. If you dont have one, look to spend a grand on one, plus gas, wire, etc.

Tubing bender. You can either go the $700 route like my brother did and get a manual that can only do up to 2", or you can spend the $1500 and get a hydrolic unit that can do 2.5" aswell.

Not to mention gussets you'll be buying, all the metal you'll screw up on just being human. The of course, paint...

Getting a rollcage properly done will not be cheap, and it qouldnt be unheard of for one to cost $4-5,000 depending on what, who you know.

Rich

 

yea, i had been quoted that by a couple places. ended up getting it done for 1200 with 2 sets of nhra swingouts. Cant beat that

 

like what other people have posted, if you don't already have most of the equipment, it will cost about as much to buy all the things needed (materials & equipment) to build a good cage as getting one built by a qualified and reputable builder. as much as you may not like others to do the work on your car, weigh out the cost verses benefit carefully before tackling a project like this due to the fact that it's your safety thats at risk.