Really? Buy not build?

I did know that. I just did not know they made pipe benders in that style. I know you can "use" crush pipe benders supposedly if you fill the tube with sand.

Looks like you've got it covered though.


As to the original buy or build question, I dont think I'll ever buy a car, unless I know who made it. Even then, I'll have to go through it and REbuild it, making sure all bolts/nuts are tight, stuff's greases, etc. I get that peace of mind knowing I built my car, and I know whats what. However, I dont EVER want to do a cage again. Pay someone to do it. Build the rest. It will be nicer, faster, and a hell of a lot better then you will your first time. Or second time. Cage builders, IMO, have an experience that you only get by building LOTS of cages. Whats that saying? "There's no substitute for practice?"

So, pay for a cage, build the rest.

---

Welcome to the cult of JVL drink the koolaid or be banned.

I've used the Greenlee pipe benders from the rental stores before, too with good results. Like you say, use the 1.75" dies for 1.5" tube. However, that $4000 Greenlee pipe bender is not as easy to use and doesn't make as nice bends as my $500 JD Squared tube bender. What you have to watch out for is the pipe benders that squash the tube from the middle like this: http://toolsandmore.us/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1614
Those are not suitable for buildiing rollcages and will not produce a legal bend.

Do It Sidewayz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> you do understand the only difference between a
> "pipe" and a "tube" bender is the naming
> conventions for pipe/tube size right??

I do now!

This kinda puts the kibosh on my plans to build the cage out of EMT from the electrical department at Home Depot, though. Sure we can't just use PVC and fill it with marshmallows or somethin?

---

Brian Driggs | KG7KCA | PHX, AZ | 89 Pajero
alterius non sit qui suus esse potest

DR1665 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Do It Sidewayz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > you do understand the only difference between
> a
> > "pipe" and a "tube" bender is the naming
> > conventions for pipe/tube size right??
>
> I do now!
>
> This kinda puts the kibosh on my plans to build
> the cage out of EMT from the electrical department
> at Home Depot, though. Sure we can't just use PVC
> and fill it with marshmallows or somethin?
>
> Brian DR1665 | Phoenix, AZ
> 86 245GL - daily | 91 GVR4 - rally project


fill it with solder.

---

Jon Burke - KI6LSW
Blog: http://psgrallywrx.blogspot.com/

Jon Burke Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> fill it with solder.

Nothing can stop the 9,000lb Gaylant.

---

Brian Driggs | KG7KCA | PHX, AZ | 89 Pajero
alterius non sit qui suus esse potest

Doivi Clarkinen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What you have to
> watch out for is the pipe benders that squash the
> tube from the middle like this:
> Those are not suitable for buildiing rollcages and
> will not produce a legal bend.

I was thinking of picking one up like that fairly soon..

Good thing I read this thread!

---

Andrew M
Onterrible
30ish

How 'bout this type:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1-3-4-Tubing-Bender-Tube-Bender-SandRail-Prerunner_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35625QQihZ006QQitemZ160304897102QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW#ht_903wt_1090

Anyone know if this is a professional kinker or bender?

JonArmstrong Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How 'bout this type:
>
>
>
> Anyone know if this is a professional kinker or
> bender?


Looks kind of ghetto. Although it may produce a legal bend I would want to see an actual bend first up close. Bend circle is kind of big, too. And it doesn't look like it would that good at out of phase multiple bends (such as with side lateral bars.)
You're way better off with one of these: http://www.jd2.com/m3b.htm
It's what I've used for 18 years.

Doivi Clarkinen Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Looks kind of ghetto. Although it may produce a
> legal bend I would want to see an actual bend
> first up close. Bend circle is kind of big, too.
> And it doesn't look like it would that good at out
> of phase multiple bends (such as with side lateral
> bars.)
> You're way better off with one of these:
> It's what I've used for 18 years.

Looks nice.. and also like they make their money in the die sets.

---

Andrew M
Onterrible
30ish

hudson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Doivi Clarkinen Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>> > You're way better off with one of these:
> > It's what I've used for 18 years.
>
> Looks nice.. and also like they make their money
> in the die sets.
>
>

Well the dies are the most important part, the rest is just thick steel plate with some holes and some bolts and pins. Try pricing some dies for a Greenlee bender!

bender, shmender. Just find two trees close together and...

alkun Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> bender, shmender. Just find two trees close
> together and...
its an hour show - the sound sync is bad
but check out Frank Sprongl bending a bar at 22:45
http://www.randyzimmer.com/video/warowheels/warowheels.avi
also somebody is sneaking a drive in a GpB Audi on rz.avi

Some people should not build ever because:
1) They have no clue
2) They do not learn
3) They never finish anything
4) They can not afford to build
5) They do not have space, tools, time.

Others should never buy because:
1) They are going to change everything anyway
2) They like working on on cars better then driving them
3) They want something no one else built
4) They are the types that might blame the builder for problems
5) They are anal
6) They use special math and think they can save money building.

I have done both several times but

1) I have a clue
2) I finish things and know the 7 P's
3) I am not anal
4) I can afford it
5) I know what stuff to have someone else do for me

---

In the long run reality always wins.

derek Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some people should not build ever because:
> 1) They have no clue
> 2) They do not learn
> 3) They never finish anything
> 4) They can not afford to build
> 5) They do not have space, tools, time.
>
> Others should never buy because:
> 1) They are going to change everything anyway
> 2) They like working on on cars better then
> driving them
> 3) They want something no one else built
> 4) They are the types that might blame the builder
> for problems
> 5) They are anal
> 6) They use special math and think they can save
> money building.
>
> I have done both several times but
>
> 1) I have a clue
> 2) I finish things and know the 7 P's
> 3) I am not anal
> 4) I can afford it
> 5) I know what stuff to have someone else do for
> me
>
> See me go at:
> www.11tenths.com
> In the long run Reality always wins.


This should be a sticky at the top of the construction forum since it's a question that's asked perpetually.
Usually we see the oh so typical response that you NEED to decide if you're a driver or a builder. Well it's not so simple. I've had a passion for driving cars since before I could walk. I knew how to drive stick before I ever drove. BUT I want my car to be exactly the way I want it. I like to make it better, stronger, lighter, more powerful and well just MINE.

---

Gone fishing

actually rigid conduit is tube, not pipe. Greenlee bender is an excellent product for cages.

---

www.frankthewelder.com
www.sinisterbikes.com
learning the ropes by wrapping them around my neck