Bender dies

[Stomper]

I love building thing. I have built two tubing benders. One that I saw on the blind chicken racing web site and one like jd squared which I found plans for on here, I think. The problem I have is that where I live there is no where to get dies and I checked prices to get them shipped here WOW SCARY!! *. *I have access to a laithe so the die itself wouldn't be a problem, it's the follower die. I don't have access to a milling machine. My question is would a round follower die work. Like the the set up on the tube bender on the www.shopoutfitters.com website. It kinda sucks, I have two benders and no dies. Major hold up on the buggy project.

[Gene]

What is it that costs so much? Is it weight, red tape? Could someone send it to you in a cake or something? *

[Stomper]

Gene
The price of the die with shipping was over double the price of the dies. It was just shy of $500. That was from a place in alberta canada. I haven't checked for factory direct prices, maybe I should.

[bdkw1]

Have a 4 jaw chuck? If so, bore hole of desired size in a square block. The cut about 40% off. Put it in the mill and mill the sides to make a nice "U" shape. Weld a piecs of tubing on the back side and your done...........

And yes, a round follower die will work. Bigger is better......

[Stomper]

Thanks, Ill give it a try.

[Doug Heim]

I have made my own dies and follower dies and would be willing to make dies for anyone intrested. I can tell you that it would be less than $500.00 for the radius die.

A follow die would be quite reasonable at about $150

PM me the radius and O.D. you want and Ill shoot you a quote. as well as the style of bender. A pic of the bender would also help. If you know the dimentions and can make up a print I can work off of that as well.

[Stomper]

Thanks for the offer Doug. I have the material and I'm going to give the round folower die a try. If it doesen't work we may talk again.

[Doug Heim]

No problem just keep in touch if you need anything.