Need input on tubing bender purchase

[holden]

I want to purchase a tubing bender for bending aluminum round tubing. I'm looking at Pro-tool, jd2 and hossfeld. I am not sure that I could make the same bend twice with a Hossfeld since I never used anything but a small hand bender before. The jd2 has a really positive website with all the info and specs but the Pro-tool seems to look more robust and the dies are cheaper. Does anyone have any positive or negative feedback about either? Thanks.:confused:

[maxx levell]

I've got the JD2 and I don't have anything bad to say about it! Mine is the full manual version, and I use it to bend up roll-bars and cages for drag cars. I have two sets of dies, 1-5/8 and 1-1/8. I love it. I just wish I had more time to use it!!

I got mine from Van Sant, and don't have any regrets.


Later,

[TiggerAaron]

I have the jd2 that I purchased from Van Sant and use it to bend aluminum tubing. I went with Van Sant becuase they have the dies that go 180 degrees. Pro tools has these dies but they are treated more like a special construction request (more money?). The jd2 will bend identical bends consistently and bending 180 degrees helps when I am building bicycle forks.

[holden]

Thanks very much for the info. I had hoped to get some opinions on the Pro-tool. I watched the videos and the pro-tool seemed to have more travel on the handle for the degree of bend than the jd2. I guess this extra leverage would be better on the larger tubing. I tried to contact Pro-Tool today for the full die prices but they were closed for the holiday. I have a question forTigger Aaron. Do the dies scratch the aluminum?

Thanks again,

Holden

[TiggerAaron]

Yes the dies do scratch the aluminum. I usually sand and buff out the scratches. If you don't want to go that route, JD2 does have special die follower inserts that are made of delrin that won't scratch aluminum or stainless, it is more $$ though.

[JMcKeone]

I have the Pro Tools 105 HD, very nice, no complaints about it at all!

[holden]

Thanks everyone for the info. I chose the jd2. Just bent the first piece of alum. today and I like the results. I plan to build boat items from aluminum. I also just purchased a Miller Sincrowave 180 tig welder. I am sure I will have lots of questions for everyone before I get satisfactory results. Thanks in advance.