If You Were To Buy A Tube Bender...

[Hydra]

What size die would you get?

Looking to do cage and structure stuff. I could spend my time sifting through Pirate nonsence but I figured a realworld answer would be better.

[HeavyMetal]

1.75"

[Hydra]

That's what I thought, 90* or 180*?

I feel you could make a 180* with 2 90*s theoretically

[lilnapsak]

1.75"

X2

Id go with a 180*. Less hassle if your going to me making larger then 90* bends

[Hydra]

Any other manual benders worth considering besides the JD2 model 3?

I've heard alot of good stuff about their benders.

[Zullock Holmes]

I'll get harrassed for this one, but i like 1.5" tube very much. It's cheaper by the foot (i paid a full $1.50 less per foot) and easier to bend and you can make tighter radius bends. This makes it ideal for cages inside of xj's because you can make a very tight fitting cage.

unless you're competing and the series requires 1.75", then 1.5" is going to make a cage that is plenty strong enough for any rockcrawler.

KOH only requires 1.75" tube if the vehicle weight is over 3200 or 3400 lb.s (i forget which)
Clayton's rockcrawler buggy is made completely with 1.5" .120 wall tube

If you plan on doing tube fenders/sliders and tube bumpers, 1.5" tube is still perfect for that application too. And it's cheaper (had to say it twice )

JD2 bender is nice. get a 180 degree die. First time you gotta bend past 90* you'll be kicking yourself in the ass.

[HeavyMetal]

Clayton's rockcrawler buggy is made completely with 1.5" .120 wall tube

well there ya go folks! the end all

[Zullock Holmes]

just an example......

That 1.5" tube has taken way more abuse than your 1.75" ever will..... and i'll put money on that. hahahaha

[Hydra]

Thanks man, certainly tubing cheaperocity is nice, and I don't plan on competing in anything serious so I feel regs aren't an issue.

Henchy might go halves with me

[Henchman]

Thanks man, certainly tubing cheaperocity is nice, and I don't plan on competing in anything serious so I feel regs aren't an issue.

Henchy might go halves with me

[ne14dbn]

My TJ & now YJ are a testament to 1.5". Best all around choice IMO.

[OWEN]

I have a 1.625" (1 5/8") 180* die. I think it is great. The reason being is you can use dirt cheap 1 1/4 pipe to mock up stuff or build rock sliders for daily drivers that don't get wheeled or firewood racks, etc. not a lot of brackets and such out there availible for that size, but 1.75" dia brackets seem to work fine, or grind out 1.5: with a round stone. Definately spend the extra for the 180* die, great for bending shock hoops, stingers, spare tire holders, etc.

[HeavyMetal]

just an example......

That 1.5" tube has taken way more abuse than your 1.75" ever will..... and i'll put money on that. hahahaha

im just glad im not in a spot where i have to compare someone elses rig to someone elses, and i have my own to worry about

[Buffalo Phil]

I'm building a cage out of EMT, hate all you want, shit's beef.

[HeavyMetal]

I'm building a cage out of EMT, hate all you want, shit's beef.

this other guys cage would be way better than yours