Die clr ? and bender opinions and ways of mounting them

grcthird · Feb 25, 2014

Re: Die clr ? and bender opinions

I have seen one bender setup to run off an old automotive lift pump/motor, and may have one in the near future just for this purpose. Anybody ever seen a setup like this in person or know a reason it wouldn't work? Would a HF ram work with this?

bradzuki · Feb 25, 2014

Re: Die clr ? and bender opinions

Really no parts list for ours. We used what we had laying around.
Of course we started with a Pro Tools 105. Used the HF air/hydro cylinder and we made a mounting plate similar to the Copperhead Fab one. Got tired of it being mounted to the floor and the constant running of the air compressor so we started collecting parts to convert to full hydro. After some searching we found out most were using this cylinder.

We then started looking for the pumps and valves but as always, we were on a tight budget. Ended up picking up a Craftsman log splitter with a bad motor on Craigslist for $50. We used the pump and valve and hoses off of it.

The little key fob thing hanging on the valve is a remote on/off switch

We had an old 220v motor laying around because Adam's dad upgraded to a bigger one so we "borrowed" his old one. Went down to TSC and got some pulleys and a belt.

Then we put it all together on a piece of 2"x4" 3/16" wall tube kinda in a sawhorse configuration with the bender hanging over the edge so we would have less chance of the tubes coming into contact with the bender. We're not done with it but have been using it for a while. Maybe one day we will finish it.

Here's kind of an overall view. The "CUBE" in the pic is THE most valuable piece of equipment. We use a POB bracket some times but most of the time you can get by with just the cube. We have also upgraded to the SWAG U-turn digital read out but I'm still having mixed reviews on it right now. I don't know how it possibly turned out the way it did but at full bend ours ends up at EXACTLY 90.0 degrees before re-pinning.

Cost breakdown:
Broken Craftsman log splitter (pump, valve, and hoses)--$50
Hydraulic cylinder--$150
Motor--FREE
Steel--FREE
Pulleys & belt--$30

That's it. I don't know how, but it all works VERY WELL together. It was thrown together in an afternoon and has made us $$$$
If you got any question, I'll try to give an answer or feel free to come check it out. Our shop is near Lenoir City (outside Knoxville) TN.

SomewhiteGuy · Feb 26, 2014

Re: Die clr ? and bender opinions

More current shot of my setup with the roller all in one stand.

krackem · Feb 27, 2014

Re: Die clr ? and bender opinions

Both setups are flashemifyougotem

thanks guys this has helped a lot

krackem · Apr 16, 2014

Ok so I got my pro tools 105hd bender and swag air over hydro conversion and jmr notcher and renamed and revived this thread but lookin for a way to mount it. In between horizontal and vertical which do you guys prefer and why and any info, tips, pics, would be greatly appreciated thinking bout using an old engine stand to modify into the base but what do y'all suggest knowing what y'all know now vs when you built your set up thanks in advance fellas

Technician · Apr 16, 2014

krackem said:
Ok so I got my pro tools 105hd bender and swag air over hydro conversion and jmr notcher and renamed and revived this thread but lookin for a way to mount it. In between horizontal and vertical which do you guys prefer and why and any info, tips, pics, would be greatly appreciated thinking bout using an old engine stand to modify into the base but what do y'all suggest knowing what y'all know now vs when you built your set up thanks in advance fellas

I use min in vertical orientation.

krackem · Apr 16, 2014

Could u post up a couple of pics lookin for ideas and anything you'd change about it

Rokcrler · Apr 16, 2014

Re: Re: Die clr ? and bender opinions and ways of mounting them

My old M3 on engine stand. Ditch the clip on the ram hose...I put a foot pedal

My M32 currently

I'm planning on modifying the current setup to vertical/horizontal

krackem · Apr 17, 2014

Were did u get the foot pedal at that's a killer idea

bradzuki · Apr 17, 2014

I run mine horizontal because that's the way we built it. Didn't really care either way but now I'm glad we built it the way we did. It takes up more space but with some of the bends we do, it's nice to have it like it is. With a POB bracket and the "CUBE" it really takes all the guess work out of it.........now if I could get the damn digital readout to work worth a **** I'd be really happy with our setup.

Rokcrler · Apr 17, 2014

Re: Re: Re: Die clr ? and bender opinions and ways of mounting them

krackem said:
Were did u get the foot pedal at that's a killer idea

Got it with a cheap air planishing hammer at harbor freight. I use it in my blast cabinet too.

krackem · Apr 17, 2014

bradzuki said:
. With a POB bracket and the "CUBE"

What is that brad ??? And thanks for the info Moe I appreciate t

bradzuki · Apr 17, 2014

A Plane Of Bend bracket that you attach to the tube you are bending and the "cube" is a little square digital angle finder you sit on top of the POB. Look back at my pics and I believe it's in one of them.