TBR

RogueFab M601

Quick take: The RogueFab M601 scores 87/100 on our published, source-cited 100-point system, at a complete-system price of $1118–$3350. Strongest category: Value for Money (20/20).

RogueFab M601

Highlights

  • Least expensive from this MFR
  • test data

✔Pros

  • •Publishes a materials list covering all major material types commonly bent on this class of machine.
  • •Manufacturer documents a bronze-class mandrel option for this frame.

!Cons

No cons listed. We explicitly only display cons when they are obvious from direct comparison within the range of models on this site and come from a clear, documented source (manufacturer documentation unless expressly stated otherwise inline with the con).

Materials compatibility

Based on manufacturer documentation and test use; not a substitute for checking your exact material spec.

4130 chromolyAluminumTitaniumCopperStainless steelBrassMild steel

How this score was earned — every point, with sources

87 / 100

Each line shows the points, exactly how that category is scored, how this machine did, and the sources behind the data. Click any line to expand.

Value for Money8 sources20/20
How it's scored

Value = capability points earned (of 67 possible — the sum of the 10 capability categories below) ÷ the complete-system price, expressed per $1,000, on a fixed published scale: ≥30 per $1k → 20 pts · 25–29 → 17 · 20–24 → 14 · 15–19 → 11 · 12–14 → 8 · 9–11 → 5 · 6–8 → 3 · under 6 → 1 · no documented price → 0. The scale is fixed, so a score never shifts when other machines change.

This machine

Capability points = Ease of Use 8 + Max Diameter 5 + Bend Angle 9 + Stress/Materials 7 + Dies 8 + Upgrades 7 + Mandrel 4 + S-Bend 3 + Single-Source 2 + Warranty 3 = 56 of 67. 56 ÷ $1118 complete-system price = 50.1 capability points per $1,000 → 20/20 on our fixed value scale.

Sources
Ease of Use & Setup7 sources8/10
How it's scored

Two parts, capped at 10. PORTABILITY (0–3): rolling as standard = 3 · portable with a rolling option = 2 · portable = 1 · fixed/bolt-down = 0. EVIDENCE CHECKLIST (0–7): +1 each for a downloadable manual, on-machine operating instructions, a built-in bend-angle reference, published springback/overbend help (a specific overbend number OR a written measure-and-compensate method — not a vague 'expect springback'), a real rotation aid (clamp-on analog/digital or chuck/indexer — a magnet-on-tube or none scores 0), a documented quick-die-change aid, and official YouTube content for this exact model.

This machine

Portability: 2/3. Evidence checklist: 6/7. Manual=No, On-machine instructions=Yes, Angle reference=Yes, Springback guidance=Yes, Rotation aid=clamp_on_digital, Quick die change=Yes, Mfr YouTube model content=Yes.

Sources
Max Diameter Capability1 source5/10
How it's scored

Largest round-tube OD the machine runs with catalog tooling, on fixed tiers: ≥2.5" = 10 · ≥2.375" = 9 · ≥2.25" = 8 · ≥2.0" = 7 · ≥1.75" = 5 · ≥1.5" = 3 · any smaller documented size = 2 · no published OD = 0. (CLR is shown for reference but not scored.)

This machine

Fixed OD tiers. OD=1.75 in. CLR is display-only (not scored).

Sources
Bend Angle Capability1 source9/9
How it's scored

Maximum published bend angle, on fixed tiers: ≥190° = 9 · ≥180° = 7 · ≥120° = 4 · any smaller documented angle = 2 · no published angle = 0.

This machine

Fixed angle tiers (≥190°=9, ≥180°=7, ≥120°=4, >0°=2). Angle=195° → 9/9.

Sources
Stress Capacity & Materials1 source7/10
How it's scored

Two parts, capped at 10; if no wall spec for 1.75" OD DOM is published the WHOLE category is 0 (no inferring strength). WALL THICKNESS (0–6): ≥0.875" (solid bar) = 6 · ≥0.250" = 5 · ≥0.188" = 4 · ≥0.156" = 3 · ≥0.120" = 2 · ≥0.095" = 1. MATERIALS (0–4): count of documented materials from steel, stainless, 4130, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass — 7 = 4 · 5–6 = 3 · 3–4 = 2 · 1–2 = 1 · 0 = 0.

This machine

0.156" published max wall for 1.75" OD DOM. Documented materials (7/7): steel, stainless, 4130, aluminum, titanium, copper, brass/bronze.

Sources
Die Selection & Shapes1 source8/8
How it's scored

+1 point for each die family the maker documents for this frame (8 max): round tube, pipe, square tube, EMT, metric round, metric square, plastic/urethane pressure dies, and any other clearly documented shape.

This machine

Documented die coverage for: round tube, pipe, square tube, EMT, metric round, metric square/rectangular, plastic/urethane pressure dies, other documented shapes. Points are awarded only for die families the bender manufacturer explicitly documents as compatible for this frame, including any clearly claimed third-party die ecosystems.

Sources
  • Die shapes= Round tube, Pipe, Square tube, Rectangular tube, EMT, Metric round / square, Plastic / urethane pressure dies, Other
    Other = hexagon, www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
Track Record (Years in Business)1 source2/3
How it's scored

Documented years the brand has operated: ≥25 yrs = 3 · ≥10 = 2 · >0 = 1 · no founding date published = 0.

This machine

Scored from stated years in business: 16.

Sources
Upgrade Path & Modularity8 sources7/8
How it's scored

+1 point for each documented, factory-supported upgrade (8 max): power upgrade path, length/back stop, rotation indexing, angle measurement, auto-stop, thick-wall tooling, thin-wall/quality tooling, and wiper-die support.

This machine

Documented upgrade path covering: power upgrade path, length backstop / stop system, rotation indexing for bend-to-bend alignment, built-in or machine-mounted angle readout, auto-stop for bend angle, thick-wall specific tooling or capacity upgrades, thin-wall / AL / stainless bend-quality upgrades.

Sources
  • Power upgrade path= Yes
    https://www.roguefab.com/product/metal-tube-bender-m601-1-die/#bender
    Accessed 2026-02-06Verified by AN1066MFR Catalog online, Page 2
  • Length stop= Yes
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
  • Rotation indexing= Yes
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
  • Angle measurement= Yes
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
  • Auto stop= Yes
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
  • Thick-wall tooling= Yes
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
  • Thin-wall tooling= Yes
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
  • Wiper die support= No
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
Mandrel Compatibility1 source4/4
How it's scored

Documented mandrel support for this specific frame: bronze/nickel-class system = 4 · economy (plastic/aluminum/steel) mandrel = 2 · none or not documented = 0. No guessing.

This machine

Mandrel bending capability documented by the manufacturer for this frame with a bronze-class mandrel system (e.g., nickel/bronze), or an explicitly equivalent factory-supported system.

Sources
  • Mandrel option= bronze
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
True S-Bend Capability1 source3/3
How it's scored

A true S-bend — two opposite-direction bends with ≤0.125" straight (tangent) between them, proven by specs, photos, or repeatable test pieces: yes = 3 · otherwise (or marketing 'S-bends' with inches of straight) = 0.

This machine

Meets TubeBenderReviews S-bend definition: two opposite-direction bends with ≤0.125" straight (tangent) between them, verified via specs/photos.

Sources
  • S-bend capability= Yes
    www.RogueFab.com Specs
    Accessed 2025-12-01Verified by JRG1001MFR Catalog online
USA Manufacturing Claim1 source1/2
How it's scored

Scores the maker's own origin CLAIM only (not verified origin): a flat, FTC-unqualified "Made in USA" = 2 · a qualified/loose claim ("assembled in USA", "American made", or "Made in USA" with imported parts disclosed) = 1 · no USA claim = 0.

This machine

Manufacturer makes a qualified/loose USA claim (e.g. "assembled in USA", "American made", or "Made in USA" alongside disclosed imported content).

Sources
Origin Disclosure5 sources8/8
How it's scored

+1 per major component whose specific origin the maker documents — USA or imported both count (we reward disclosure, not country): frame +2, dies/tooling +2, hydraulic/power unit +2, pump/motor +1, controls/electronics +1 (8 max). A part the machine doesn't have (e.g. no hydraulics on a manual bender) isn't counted against it.

This machine

Component origin documented for: frame, dies/tooling, hydraulic/power unit, pump/motor, controls/electronics. Scores disclosure quality only (USA or imported both count); undocumented components score 0.

Sources
Single-Source System1 source2/2
How it's scored

Can a normal buyer get a complete, working system — frame + dies + the required power/lever — from one primary manufacturer/storefront? Yes = 2 · anything requiring you to source a major part elsewhere = 0.

This machine

Complete, fully functional system (frame + dies + hydraulics/lever) available from one primary manufacturer/storefront.

Sources
Warranty (Published Terms Only)1 source3/3
How it's scored

Strength of the published written warranty only: strong/lifetime on the frame or ≥3-yr comprehensive = 3 · a clear 1–2-yr warranty = 2 · a short or heavily limited but documented warranty = 1 · none, as-is, or not mentioned = 0.

This machine

Clear multi-year or lifetime coverage on major structural components, based on published warranty terms. This category is based strictly on published terms; we do not score how well the warranty is honored in practice.

Sources
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