Anyone use this bender?

[Scott_F]

http://www.lowbucktools.com/hydbender.html

This bender looks good, but is it better than the JD2 manual bender? Will the JD2 easily bend 1.5" .120, or does it take a lot of force? Plus, the LowBucks bender looks to be portable like the HF, while the JD2 needs to be anchored, right?

Anything is better than the HF kink-o-matic. I am very impressed with the guys who can get a good bend out of the HF unit.

[shower]

For the money stick with the JD or Pro-tools. The lo-buck is ok for bend 90 degree or less. The JD or Pro-tools is about the same price and can do 180 degree. And NO, the manual benders don't take that much force to bend .120 wall tube. And YES it does need to be anchored unless you hydo it.

[McClintock]

i use a JD2 manuel bender, its bolted into concrete. I use a 3 foot cheater bar out of ovalized exhaust tubing, and it takes a little elbow grease to bend 1.5 x .120 MS..

[grt]

I would reccomend the JMR bender available at McKenzie's. We did an article on benders in this year's Off Road Expo program and that one looked to be the best bang for the buck to me. Let me know if you would like a copy of the article and I'll email you one. It compares a lot of benders.

[BMF]

Could you post a link to that article, or e-mail it to me too.

[rubberboy]

My autoshop teacher said that he has used the low buck bender and that it works well for the money.

[Scott_F]

GRT, check your PMs, and email that article to me. Thanks.

[DJDIRTWORKS]

If you're looking for portibility, I once saw someone that took a JD2 bender and put a reciever-style mount on it so they could just slide into their truck's reciever and bend tube wherever they went. Not the best, but it did work.
As far as bending stuff with a jd2 bender, I have bent1 1/4 4130 solid round stock(don't ask why) with mine and with no appearent damage to the bender. I've also bent lots of 1 3/4 .120wall with no problems and I can bend it faster than a converted ratchet-style bender(although it does give you a little workout). My opinion is - if you are just a casual fabricator the jd2 or similar is a good way to go. If youre looking to do production or you do a lot of bending, an air-over-hydraulic ram bender is the way to go. and I don't mean a converted jd2, but one designed just for that kind of set-up-theyre very fast and offer a high degree of repeatability. you'll pay for that, however.
Good luck and happy fabricating!