garrett83
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Valencia, ca
Let me start by saying i am posting this thread up for anyone that Is in the market for a new tube bender. This is my experience, as a rookie, novice, self taught builder. I have no ties to the said manufacturer of this product. I paid full price for it, didn't get any kick backs or free stuff. I just want to give other people, like myself, a chance to see how this product performs.
I recently purchased a Rogue fab tube bender to aid in the cage construction for my current build. This is my first real tube bender, and really my first attempt at building a roll cage. I have used a cheapo HF crush bender, in the past, to build a bumper and tire carrier, but this is a whole other animal.
I decided to go with their most affordable set up, the 1.75", 4.5" CLR, 180' bender/die set. I feel bad for the delivery guy that had to carry this to my door step, as this is a 100lb package deal in one box.
The bender comes unassembled and has to be welded together. The instructions were very simple to follow, and all the pieces really fit together quite well. The only item I had to go out and purchase was an air/hydro ram that I picked up from harbor freight for about $60 after all my discounts.
It took about 2 hours for me to assemble and weld everything together. I still have yet to paint it, but I wanted to make sure I knew how to operate it before I get it all painted up. I did find that the hitch pins they send with the kit have a VERY TIGHT fit. Only one of the pins really get pulled on a regular basis, so I just lubed the others and worked them in. Maybe a little clearancing in these locations would help them fit a little better.
The fully assembled unit is VERY heavy. I am tempted to mount some small casters under it to make it easier to move around the garage. If I had a tall shop, I would mount it to a mobile bench for sure. The unit seems to be very well balanced, it doesn't even budge with a 10' section of pipe hanging off the side of it, so I do t think it would have any issues sitting on a bench.
I did a handful of bends with it last night and will post those up in a bit...
I recently purchased a Rogue fab tube bender to aid in the cage construction for my current build. This is my first real tube bender, and really my first attempt at building a roll cage. I have used a cheapo HF crush bender, in the past, to build a bumper and tire carrier, but this is a whole other animal.
I decided to go with their most affordable set up, the 1.75", 4.5" CLR, 180' bender/die set. I feel bad for the delivery guy that had to carry this to my door step, as this is a 100lb package deal in one box.
The bender comes unassembled and has to be welded together. The instructions were very simple to follow, and all the pieces really fit together quite well. The only item I had to go out and purchase was an air/hydro ram that I picked up from harbor freight for about $60 after all my discounts.
It took about 2 hours for me to assemble and weld everything together. I still have yet to paint it, but I wanted to make sure I knew how to operate it before I get it all painted up. I did find that the hitch pins they send with the kit have a VERY TIGHT fit. Only one of the pins really get pulled on a regular basis, so I just lubed the others and worked them in. Maybe a little clearancing in these locations would help them fit a little better.
The fully assembled unit is VERY heavy. I am tempted to mount some small casters under it to make it easier to move around the garage. If I had a tall shop, I would mount it to a mobile bench for sure. The unit seems to be very well balanced, it doesn't even budge with a 10' section of pipe hanging off the side of it, so I do t think it would have any issues sitting on a bench.
I did a handful of bends with it last night and will post those up in a bit...
