Die, Die, Die, my Bender......

I've been looking at tubing benders for roll cage construction for awhile. My research has me pointed at a JD2 and I have decided that is the way I want to go.

I know several members here have this bender and I am looking for recommendations for a die. I need to be able to bend 1.5 x .120 and I only want to buy one die to start. Which of the 8 dies is a best bet for roll cage construction? Is it possible to get by with just one? Since each die costs almost as much as the bender I want to shop smart. Which one of these bad boys is the way to go?

Fun fact - This thread title reads "the, the, the my bender" in German.

I thought this was about something totally different.

Now I have Danzig stuck in my head.

I would go with one of the 1.5” dies.

If the bender is compatible I would go for one of the 180 degree ones.

EastCoastMojo wrote: Now I have Danzig stuck in my head.

This, and then Metallica. Not a bad way to start the morning.

Are not most cages specified as 1.75" by .120" DOM?

In reply to NOHOME:

Chumpcar specifies 1.5x.095 for under 2500lbs and 1.5x.120 for over 2500lbs. Lemons specs 1.5x.120 for under 3000lbs. Im not sure about other series.

I would go with the 6.5 radius. 5.5 might be ok, and in some cases better, but it will be harder to work, and more likely to collapse a bit on thin wall tube. Larger than that, and you start leaving a bunch of room in the corners, and some cars, that means trouble. I seldom need a 180 die- the only time is if someone wants a single seater hoop. I presume the 90 is cheaper, so I'd start with it.

I went out to look at my cage and it looks like there are 4.5 bends on the hoop. Not an exact measurement.... Just eyeballing. I'd think 6.5 would leave a lot of room in the corners.

I can't think of a reason to do a bend over 90 degrees in a cage. So I'd stick with the 90

And I'm jealous. I really wasn't one of these too!

I have Mittler bros stuff, and their tight radius is 6", normal is 7"

It's funny because I am currently shopping for the exact same thing. I was thinking 5.5 radius 90 deg die, but I'd like more on-hand experience like Streetwiseguy's.

Radius is to the mid-point of the tube, if you're measuring.

SCCA specs require the bend radius to be 3 times the pipe diameter. My 180 die for 1.5" tubing is less than that, and it will only go 135 or so and then the tube starts to flatten out. Keep the bends 90 or less and there is no problems, plus it allows you to get the tubing tighter to where you want it. My 1.75" die has a bend radius of exactly 3 times the diameter, and it will do a full 180 bend.

I thought the title was a reference to the Misfits song....