Recommendation for garage fab bender

[Thefuntruck]

Hey guys,
Planning to buy a JD2 model 32 bender unless someone can recommend a reasonable alternative.
Just garage fab projects, working on my own stuff.
Thanks for the input.

 

[theycallmeWALLY]

JD2 is a go-to for us garage fabbers. I hardly use mine anymore but nice to have when you need it.

I'd strongly recommend the SWAG hydraulic kit to go with it.

SWAG Machined Tubing Bender Air/Hydraulic Ram Mount

SWAG Machined Tube Bender Air/Hydraulic Ram Mount Tired of cranking the handle on your tubing bender? Are you using a cheater bar slid over the factory handle to gain mechanical leverage, while trying to read the degree wheel that is ~8 feet away? This kit is designed out of pure necessity and...

www.swagoffroad.com

 

[marcytech]

I’ve been using the affordable bender for years just cuz it was free. I wouldn’t pay money for it tho
get the jd2 you’ll never regret it.

 

[the bodj]

I’ve been using the affordable bender for years just cuz it was free. I wouldn’t pay money for it tho
get the jd2 you’ll never regret it.

Same! For a first bender, the entry price of $400 with two dies has made it an awesome value. But I've been on the search for a JD2 or GMR setup. I have a file and material to make my own JD2, I just need to do it lol. Buying is easier.

 

[FENDERFAB]

definetly the JD2. I as well have the affordable bender. Things kind of a pile but It gets the job done and was cheap when i bought it years ago.

 

[Thefuntruck]

I was tempted by the affordable bender but I was thinking buy once cry once kind of thing.
How bad is the affordable bender. It looks decent, especially since you don’t have to put it on the stand.

 

[the bodj]

I was tempted by the affordable bender but I was thinking buy once cry once kind of thing.
How bad is the affordable bender. It looks decent, especially since you don’t have to put it on the stand.

It’s great for .120 wall mild steel. I ruined the frame with 1.75x.120 4130. Ended up rebuilding, but it can only bend 90* (not even a full 90*), and larger bed radius

 

[FENDERFAB]

I was tempted by the affordable bender but I was thinking buy once cry once kind of thing.
How bad is the affordable bender. It looks decent, especially since you don’t have to put it on the stand.

Honestly its not terrible. It gets the job done for sure. Its small and portable which is one of the nice things about it. Mild steel and DOM it does good. As mentioned above it has a pretty big bend radius so it wont work for everything but it definitely gets the job done. Really comes down to how much you want to spend and how often your using it and your needs.

 

[Chancegoodman]

anyone have experience with the protool bender it too me looks similar to a jd2

 

[84Prerunner]

the affordable bender built my whole truck among several others over the 15yrs I’ve had it (bought it used too). It has its down falls but it gets the job done. Broke 1 die bending 1.75” .120 DOM but the replacement came much thicker and hasn’t had any issues.

Few examples of what it will do.

 

[Thefuntruck]

Very cool.
That really seems like all you would need for a garage guy.
That looks great. If you can get a deal on jd2 seems like the move, but if your buying new it’s hard to beat the AB.

 

[philofab]

I bought my JD2 Model 3 in 2000 second hand. Still works great, I did convert it to air over hydraulic with the JD2 kit. If I did it again I'd use a longer ram and just mount it to the cart it's on. The JD2 will do way beefier material with hydraulics. I've done 2" .188 wall dom.

 

[DTF_TACOMA]

the affordable bender built my whole truck among several others over the 15yrs I’ve had it (bought it used too). It has its down falls but it gets the job done. Broke 1 die bending 1.75” .120 DOM but the replacement came much thicker and hasn’t had any issues.

Few examples of what it will do.

I've had one for about that long now too.

Added a cart and air over hydro ram from HF