Experience with small benchtop benders

I have a DuoMite, and it's very nice, but of somewhat limited capacity. Check the specs & make sure it can handle the stuff you're likely to want to do. I've only used mine for 1/8" SS rod, and it worked great for that. It might balk at strap that thick if it's very wide, and 1/4" rod is probably it's limit depending on how stiff the stuff is.

Doug White

I bought the HF compact benchtop bender:

That first job more than paid for the tool, and I was actually pretty pleased with how the bender was built. It didn't feel too cheesy. On the other hand, I probably won't try to bend 5/8" round bar with it like some guys do!

I paid $42 for it (had one of those coupons ..) and I think it's well worth it. In its manual it talks about the scroll attachment, well, that one's gone bye-bye too bad.

GWE

I agree. Its a pretty good bang for your buck

Gunner

"If I'm going to reach out to the the Democrats then I need a third hand.There's no way I'm letting go of my wallet or my gun while they're around."

"Democrat. In the dictionary it's right after demobilize and right before demode` (out of fashion).

-Buddy Jordan 2001

Williams Lowbuck tools. Plate Brake

After all these years of bending things around sockets, pipes, tanks, and various pulleys, I bought one of those Chinese benders last week; from a traveling flea market vendor who sets up in a closed-for-the-season ice cream stand parking lot nearby once or twice every year.

It is the exact same benchtop version of the bender that is shown on page

The vendor had the benchtop one priced at $79.00 and the floor model priced at $109.00 - cheaper than N/T - but I've dealt with this guy before and I knew that the prices listed on the tool were really "suggested" prices - and that the incoming New England winter was getting ready to close his season..

I asked what his bottom line was for the benchtop version and, after checking his printout, he said $60.00 - cash!

For the $30 difference between the benchtop and floor model, I can make my own 3" X 3" X 3' square-tube stand. The top and bottom plates are already on the "benchtop" version.

I figure I saved $75.00-or-more over the N/T price given the catalog list price and 43 pounds worth of shipping costs.

I've used one of these several times before at a friend's shop, so I'm ready to hit the ground running with this one.

It has dies from one-inch to three-inch diameter, but there is room for larger ones - which I intend to make.....probably up to six-inch.

Also gonna' carve up a square-tube die or two for the stuff I commonly use.

People have complained that the instruction manuals are not that clear. There is a little "Chinglish", but you really only have to read it and pay attention.

For example, when setting up to do a square bend, you are actually moving the fulcrum to push the moving die instead of pulling it around. I think that's one place where people get confused.

This bender came with some 100th generation photocopied instructions - including instructions on bending each letter of the alphabet.

I downloaded the Harbor Freight "Pittsburgh Tool" instructions and printed them on my laser printer.....Much clearer and easier to see and understand the photos of the setups.

If you do a Google search on "compact bender", you'll find more info and a couple of instruction sheets/booklets you can download.

You will also see this very same benchtop version of the bender selling anywhere from $79.95 to over $150.00....but watch out for shipping and "handling" charges that tend to equalize the final cost among different vendors.