OldeSkool

I've got a 16 ton (up to 3 inch) press bender. Trying to decide between buying straight pipe in 3" and bending and welding my own h-pipe duals OR measuring, buying, cutting and welding a 2 inch mandrel setup.

BTW, I know most of you are thinking "why not do 3 inch mandrel?" And the reason is that 3 inch non-crushed pipe won't give me the over axle clearance I want on a lowered vehicle.

So... dual 3 Inch "crushed" or dual 2 inch "smooth"?

taintedmeat

iTrader: (1)

Why not track down some of that oval pipe? It looks kinda like what they use on the driver's side of the factory y. I think Lane referred to it as "clearance tube"

Full-Force

iTrader: (11)

where did u get that bender and does it operate manually like a hydraulic jack would?

OldeSkool

I got the bender from harbor freight tools. Yeah its just a 16-ton hydraulic ram bolted to a beefy frame w/ some rollers and different size forms to put on the ram. You operate it with a good ol fashioned lever.

and oval tube is fine for running under the car and i very well may use some, but its tough to bend and i dont know anyone who sells pre-bent oval tube...

Full-Force

iTrader: (11)

have you put a piece of 3" pipe in it yet and bent it?

i am thinking about buying that bender but didnt know if the die was for 3" id or 3' od pipe

u can fill the pipe with sand and stuff a rage in the ends when u bend it to keep it from crushing the pipe

after u bend a piece of pipe with i would mind seeing a pic .... pm me if you dont mind so i will stop jacking your thread

venom346

iTrader: (7)

yep, i bought the same bender from harbor freight tools a few months back.. havent used it much but it works.. keeps me from going to the exhaust shop for quick bends

OldeSkool

Sounds like venom346 is the guy you wanna talk to as I have yet to use mine. Cobbling together this exhaust is going to be my first crack at it.

SLP LS1

I'd just go with 2" mandrell

GuitsBoy

iTrader: (4)

I would DEFINATELY NOT go with 2" mandrel. 2.25" mandrel is approaching on-par with single 3". If you had 2.5" mandrel bends, then you would really start to benefit. 2" is simply too small. Think about it, some headers have 2" primaries.

OldeSkool

yeah sorry guys, i meant 2.5 inch. i thought about correcting it sooner, but i figured most folks would see 2 and think 2.5... sorry