Cage Building Tools for the Home Mechanic

[brightside]

Thought I’d start a separate thread for handy tools that one could buy for building a cage at home. I own a 220v Millermatic 180 so I got the welder covered. Anyone know of a relatively inexpensive bender for DOM and chromoly? Or a good notcher that is relatively cheap but works well?

I have a buddy that works at a shop that builds mufflers and roll cages for agricultural equipment. We have a CNC bender there and a CNC plasma (floor plates and gussets) that we hope to make use of but since the car and the bender will be in two different location (about an hour apart) it will be hard to make good use of this equipment. Therefore I’d like to design as much beforehand as possible. I work as a design engineer so designing it in CAD is easy but getting precise measurements might be a little difficult.

If you guys could suggest some good tools that work well and won’t break the bank for someone that will probably build 1-2 cages a year. I’m searching auctions, kijiji, and craigslist for used equipment. The cages will be built in April.

[JohnnyTSi]

I've seen the M-Tech model 3 (http://www.mtechsupply.com/display.php3?getcategory=Benders) used up close, it does a good job for a do-it-yourself cage project, and at $295 the price is definately right.

John-

[logic]

DIY bender (http://www.gottrikes.com/Tube_Bender.htm), just add dies (http://www.pro-tools.com/). I'm getting started on building one of these right now. I like the Model 3-style benders, but don't have the open floor space to dedicate to it; the gottrikes design lets me roll the whole assembly out into the driveway if needed.

For a notcher, I have the cheap harbor freight one ("'Ol Joint Jigger" style); it's rough, but it gets the job done. If you want something decent, I have a suggestion (http://www.vansantent.com/tube_coping_machines.htm), but I warn you: I take no responsibility for the amount of money you suddenly feel compelled to spend after looking through their online catalog. It's practically tool porn.

[brightside]

After doing a bit more research on the bender i think i'm going to attempt to build my own bender from these plans: http://www.pro-tools.com/200k.htm. i have access to a mill and lathe so this shouldn't be too diffcult. I will probably just buy the die from these guys.

I spent an hour on the Van Sant website. You could definitely drop a good chunk change on that website.

Shitty part for me is i'm located in canada so shipping/duties/taxes kill me especially on large things like a bender.

[Da Fuhrer]

Shipping to Canada is easy, if you're willing to drive an hour or so to save some $$. Ship it to a drop box (UPS store) in NY or MI and drive over and pick it up.