Mounting a Bender

RebelRider · Feb 15, 2016

I have a model 3 bender which can be mounted in the vertical or horizontal position. It's time to build a more rigid stand for it, but I'm trying to figure out what position would be best. It has an HF ram mounted to it if that makes a difference. I also don't have a very tall ceiling.

Edit: if there is an existing thread on this, please post a link.

smbroady82 · Feb 15, 2016

Mo (Rokcrler) on here built a pretty sweet stand for his, maybe he can post a few pics

RebelRider · Feb 15, 2016

That would be great. I'm probably going to buy a notch master (if anyone has a better suggestion, post up) so I'd like to incorporate it into the stand as well.

rajincajingt · Feb 15, 2016

RebelRider said:
That would be great. I'm probably going to buy a notch master (if anyone has a better suggestion, post up) so I'd like to incorporate it into the stand as well.

if you have the cash, the baileigh notcher is best ive used. i love mine.

http://www.baileigh.com/tube-notcher-tn-250

RebelRider · Feb 15, 2016

rajincajingt said:
if you have the cash, the baileigh notcher is best ive used. i love mine.

http://www.baileigh.com/tube-notcher-tn-250

What sets it apart from the notch master?

whiskeymakin · Feb 15, 2016

http://www.trick-tools.com/RaceLine-Hole-Saw-Tube-Notcher-TN300-9180

What I just bought. Havnt used it yet but for the money I think it's pretty nice

5BrothersFabrication · Feb 15, 2016

If you're air over hydro, build yourself a roll around stand. You could even do one vertical and in the seldom chance you have to do a bend that would place the bar taller than the ceiling, you can roll it outside for the couple minutes it would take to bend it. This is what I'm doing with mine when I get a ram for it.

As far as notchers, I bought the Eastwood notcher and the only complaint I have with it is the plastic bushing wears too quickly, allowing the holesaw enough room to grab and hang up. The last tube I notched with it, it bit so hard it snapped the shaft on my 1/2" corded drill.

pholmann · Feb 15, 2016

I had a stand bolted to the floor forever. When I got the cylinder for mine I got a 55 gallon drum roller base and mounted it to it. Works great. It could use an outrigger on the side the tube enters from but it's easily modified.

RebelRider · Feb 15, 2016

I have mine mounted to an old engine stand now. The problem is that is very wobbly. It's very hard to keep level. Also, when pulling the air ram back in it tends to roll around a lot making you chase it around the shop.

pholmann · Feb 15, 2016

I've thought about mounting a hood spring on my ram to make it retract when the valve is opened. :****:

Dillehay · Feb 15, 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NfJIFK2gaXY

rajincajingt · Feb 15, 2016

RebelRider said:
What sets it apart from the notch master?

the tube clamp is much more versatile and allows you to clamp on and make a cut on a curve. also much more secure cutting process.

Rokcrler · Feb 15, 2016

If you're running hydro you don't need to worry about it being level. Get a plane of bend bracket to keep the bends in line.
Locking casters keep it from running off on you.

My old M3 on engine stand

My M32 (copied from jvfab)

POB

RebelRider · Feb 15, 2016

Rokcrler said:
If you're running hydro you don't need to worry about it being level. Get a plane of bend bracket to keep the bends in line.
Locking casters keep it from running off on you.

My old M3 on engine stand

My M32 (copied from jvfab)

POB

Good to know, thanks

RebelRider · Feb 15, 2016

It seems to me that mounting it vertical makes it easier to keep square? Am I wrong?

ranger11 · Feb 15, 2016

Re: Re: Mounting a Bender

RebelRider said:
I have mine mounted to an old engine stand now. The problem is that is very wobbly. It's very hard to keep level. Also, when pulling the air ram back in it tends to roll around a lot making you chase it around the shop.

I mounted mine to an engine stand then tacked the piece that rotates. Also added a return spring thing from swag offroad. Well worth every penny. No more fighting to get the ram.

http://swagoffroad.com/AirHydraulic-Tube-Bender-Accessories-_p_118.html

paradisepwoffrd · Feb 15, 2016

Re:

I've thought about mounting one to an engine stand where you can rotate it from horizontal to vertical.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

ranger11 · Feb 15, 2016

Re: Re:

paradisepwoffrd said:
I've thought about mounting one to an engine stand where you can rotate it from horizontal to vertical.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

Mine would work either way if not for the copperhead ram mount. It will go almost vertical but not all the way.

You have me curious if I could modify it some thought will see what I can come up with.