Tell me about pipe benders

notfarnow · 08-13-2007, 08:51 AM

My Suzuki Samurai needs new exhaust, as does my Jetta. Both are turbo diesels, so I'd like to go with straight through exhaust.

Even if I got "off the shelf" exhaust for both, I'd be looking at a grand for crappy stuff that I won't be happy with. I'm considering getting a pipe bender and whipping up my own. Anyone else do this?

Here's the bender I'm thinking about:
http://www.tooltown.ca/16-ton-pipe-bender-c-146-p-1-pr-546.html

Questions:
-Is there anything in particular I need to be looking for?
-Would I be able to use a bender like this on 3/4" & 1" 316 stainless pipe used for the rail on my sailboat?

lendaddy · 08-13-2007, 09:01 AM

Those types of benders do not (generally) make smooth, kink free bends. This is ok at best for exhaust but certainly not for ornamental railings. For truly smooth bends you need a mandrel bender, but they are pricey and require dedicated I.D. and O.D. tooling for each size.

cashflyer · 08-13-2007, 09:19 AM

First, understand that there is a difference between tube and pipe. Pipe spec is measured ID, tube spec is measured OD. This creates a problem for many people who buy cheap pipe benders from Harbor Freight and other discount places, but who actually want to bend tubing for exhausts and roll cages. The problem is that the dies are different. I have seem people "make do" with a pipe bender, but it's not the ideal solution.

Further, as LD mentions, is the problem of getting a quality bend. While not critical on an exhaust tube, uneven bending pressures can seriously compromise a roll bar's expected strength.

You may very well get by with the tool you posted a picture of, but don't expect high quality, professional results.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

A bit more money, but it makes nice bends:

"Bite my shiny, metal..."

cashflyer · 08-13-2007, 09:36 AM

Or these, if you're really spendy...
http://www.bii1.com/pdf/2007/3_RDB+TN.pdf

notfarnow · 09:48 AM

Thanks for the replies!

It really doesn't matter if I can't do the stainless stuff for my boat... that would have been a bonus but not a deciding factor. I may want to do roll cages and whatnot, so I'll have to see what a better rig would run.

Thom, where do I get more info about the pricing on units like yours? I assume you're able to bend 2-2.5" stuff with it?

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

Benders rule.

Kiss my shiny metal ass.

lendaddy · 08-13-2007, 10:06 AM

If you're feeling saucy, old Pines hydraulic mandrel benders are all over the place as are tooling combinations for them. Sometimes at scrap prices.

FWIW I think the Pines model 1 does up to 2" diameter.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

I have a Model 3; the Model 4 will do 2-1/2 http://www.jd2.com/

lendaddy · 08-13-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by widebody911

I have a Model 3; the Model 4 will do 2-1/2 http://www.jd2.com/

The Pines model 1 would look like this:

notfarnow · 08-13-2007, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lendaddy

The Pines model 1 would look like this:

LOL, Mrs Notfarnow is enforcing a moratorium on anything that arrives by trailer, or is a trailer. There is no way I could sneak something like THAT home.

The one that Thom linked to might sneak by though.

lendaddy · 08-13-2007, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

LOL, Mrs Notfarnow is enforcing a moratorium on anything that arrives by trailer, or is a trailer. There is no way I could sneak something like THAT home.

The one that Thom linked to might sneak by though.

Strap some nuts on, she'll never notice it behind the garden tools

Rot 911 · 08-13-2007, 10:42 AM

$1000??? Who is doing your exhaust work? Around here you are looking at $100-$150 for the pipe and bends and then whatever the cost of the muffler is.

dhoward · dhoward's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

$1000??? Who is doing your exhaust work? Around here you are looking at $100-$150 for the pipe and bends and then whatever the cost of the muffler is.

+1
Of course you have to wait for Goober to finish up Aint Bea's oil change....

notfarnow · 08-13-2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

$1000??? Who is doing your exhaust work? Around here you are looking at $100-$150 for the pipe and bends and then whatever the cost of the muffler is.

A full exhaust system for my car, front to back is ~$600. The quotes for my sammie were both ~$300

cstreit · cstreit's Garage

As mentioned above, thosebenders work like crap. To get even a halfway decent bend you can pack the whole thing with wet sand, seal the ends, and then bend... Now... that's probably more $ and work than it's worth above taking it to the local shop...

notfarnow · 08-13-2007, 11:18 AM

If I go to an exhaust shop I'll end up with 1.75" and I won't have the straight-through exhaust that I want. Even if I went 2.25" and the bends weren't smooth, I'd be happier with that.

I'm going to see if I can find a canadian supplier for the type Thom posted.

lendaddy · 08-13-2007, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notfarnow

If I go to an exhaust shop I'll end up with 1.75" and I won't have the straight-through exhaust that I want. Even if I went 2.25" and the bends weren't smooth, I'd be happier with that.

I'm going to see if I can find a canadian supplier for the type Thom posted.

You can buy mandrel bends and straights on the net then just cut & weld. Here:

http://www.burnsstainless.com