"SteveB" writes:

I need a bender. Mostly, I will be bending solid square bar, rod, and flat
bar. Occasionally, I might want to bend the occasional 1/2" to 1" square
and round tubing. And then, I would like a scroll bending attachment.

Sounds similar to my situation.

I have seen these all over the board in prices. From Harbor Freight on up.

The one I saw at Harbor Freight
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=31980
seemed very simple. It didn't strike me as fitting to the shape of the
tubes. Instead, the dies are plain cylinders.

Anyone have one of these benders, and can suggest a source, and maybe some
cautions on what to look for? Would I be better off to just get a simple
one, and not go for all the extra stuff that I might only use rarely?

I orderd a Van Sant Model 3 bender
http://www.vansantent.com/model_3_bender.htm
last month. The dies are finally on their way tomorrow. (One is for 1"
square tube.) It's expensive (to me) and different dies are needed for
every size tube and they take forever to get but it seemed like a
reasonable place to start. The person with whom I spoke on the phone was
knowledgeable, helpful and pleasant, and the followup by their shipping/
sales people has been quite competent. (There was a small glitch and it
was handled well.)

I found a similar bender that didn't have the mechanical advantage of the
ratcheting lever system. BTW, Van Sant also makes an attachment (which I
have) for putting the handle directly on the moving arm for greater range.

I look forward to making solid, planned, repeatable bends - as opposed to
the kludges I've been making with simple conduit benders. I'll try to
report on it.

--kyler