TBR

Tube Bender Scoring Methodology

Exact, unambiguous rules for how scores are calculated. When data is not published by the manufacturer, we score that category as 0 rather than guessing.

Scoring Overview

Our scoring system evaluates tube benders across measurable, objective criteria.

Total Points
100

Each bender receives a score out of 100 points across 14 categories.

Categories
14

Covering value, capacity, manufacturing, upgrade path, and advanced capability.

Scoring methods
Fixed-threshold tiersBinary scoringTier-based scoring

Current dataset maxima (auto-updating)

These values are computed from the current catalog + admin overlay data. If a new model is added with higher capacity/angle/wall, these numbers update automatically.

Max OD capacity (published)
22.500 in
Baileigh RDB-250
Max bend angle (published)
210°
Rogue Fabrication M625
Max wall @ 1.75" DOM (published)
0.875"
Rogue Fabrication M625

Note: the scoring engine uses fixed thresholds (not relative-to-max curves). The maxima are shown for transparency and update automatically with the dataset.

Detailed Category Scoring

1. Value for Money (20 points)

How much real capability and completeness you get per dollar for a typical starter system (frame + dies + power + stand).

Method: Scaled (fixed thresholds)Max 20 pts

What we score: the documented entry-level starter system price derived from the lowest published prices for frame plus dies plus power plus stand. If component pricing is missing, we fall back to any published catalog price we have for the machine. This is a price tier, not a value guess; capability is scored in the other categories.

Exact point tiers (20 max)
  • ≤ $1500 → 20
  • ≤ $2000 → 18
  • ≤ $3000 → 15
  • ≤ $4500 → 12
  • ≤ $6500 → 9
  • > $6500 → 7

Current dataset: entryPrice ranges from $2953 (see note below for how computed).

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

2. Ease of Use & Setup (10 points)

Evidence-only checklist (0–7) plus portability/base configuration (0–3). No brand-based scoring.

Method: Tier-basedMax 10 pts

What we score: portability (0–3) plus an evidence checklist (0–7). No brand-based scoring. No subjective tiers.

A) Portability (0–3)
  • fixed → 0
  • portable → 1
  • portable_with_rolling_option → 2
  • rolling_standard → 3
B) Evidence checklist (1 pt each; 7 max)
  • Manual available (downloadable or explicitly included)
  • On-machine operation instructions/tips shown/promised
  • Built-in bend angle reference (scale/reference; loose magnetic cube does not count)
  • Angle stop available (mechanical or equivalent)
  • Rotation aid: chuck/indexer or clamp-on analog/digital (magnet-only scores 0; fails on non-ferrous)
  • Quick die change engineered aid documented
  • Official manufacturer YouTube instructional content for this exact model (top-10 YT results for BRAND+MODEL)
If it's not publicly documented or shown, it scores 0. No guessing.
Final = min(10, portability + evidence checklist).

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

3. Max Diameter & CLR Capability (10 points)

Realistic maximum round tube size you can run on this frame with catalog tooling today. CLR ranges will be added to the math once every machine has documented CLR data.

Method: Scaled (fixed thresholds)Max 10 pts

What we score: maximum published round-tube OD capacity (maxCapacity). CLR is display-only (not scored) until CLR data is standardized across all models.

Exact point tiers (10 max)
  • ≥ 2.5 → 10
  • ≥ 2.375 → 9
  • ≥ 2.25 → 8
  • ≥ 2.0 → 7
  • ≥ 1.75 → 5
  • ≥ 1.5 → 3
  • > 0 → 2
  • missing/unknown → 0
Note: the dataset min/max shown on this page is for transparency only and does not affect scoring.
Current dataset OD range: 1.758 in (min) → 22.500 in (max)

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

4. Bend Angle Capability (9 points)

Maximum published bend angle in degrees (gross angle) for the machine + tooling. Missing angle scores 0.

Method: Scaled (fixed thresholds)Max 9 pts

What we score: maximum published bend angle in degrees. Missing or unpublished angle scores 0.

Notes:

  • This is gross maximum angle. It does not matter how many cycles, strokes, or re-indexing steps are required.
  • We only score angles that are explicitly published or otherwise documented for this frame/tooling.
  • Missing/unknown angle scores 0. We do not infer angles from photos, reputation, or "typical" expectations.
Exact point tiers (9 max)
  • ≥ 195° → 9
  • 180–194° → 7
  • 120–179° → 4
  • < 120° → 2
  • missing/unknown → 0
Note: the dataset min/max shown on this page is for transparency only and does not affect scoring.
Current dataset angle range: 80° (min) → 210° (max)

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

5. Stress Capacity & Materials (10 points)

Published max wall thickness for 1.75" OD DOM (0–6), plus a simple count of documented compatible materials (0–4). Missing wall thickness scores 0 for the entire category.

Method: Scaled (fixed thresholds)Max 10 pts

What we score:

  • Published max wall thickness for 1.75" OD DOM (wallThicknessCapacity) → 0–6 pts
  • Documented compatible materials list (materials) → 0–4 pts
Hard rule: If wallThicknessCapacity is missing/unknown, the entire category scores 0 — we do not infer stress capacity from a materials list alone.
Thickness points (0–6)
  • ≥ 0.095" → 1
  • ≥ 0.120" → 2
  • ≥ 0.156" → 3
  • ≥ 0.188" → 4
  • ≥ 0.250" → 5
  • ≥ 0.875" → 6 (solid bar; half of 1.75" is 0.875")
  • missing/unknown → 0 (entire category becomes 0)
Materials points (0–4)

We only count what the manufacturer explicitly documents as compatible for this frame.

Scored materials list (7 total): Steel, Stainless, 4130, Aluminum, Titanium, Copper, Brass (bronze counts in the Brass bucket).

  • 0 = Not listed
  • 1 = 1+ in list
  • 2 = 3+ in list
  • 3 = 5+ in list
  • 4 = 7+ in list (all covered)

Current dataset max wall @ 1.75": 0.875" (solid bar; Rogue Fabrication M625)

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

6. Die Selection & Shapes (8 points)

Breadth of the die family: round tube, pipe, square, EMT, metric, plastic/urethane, and clearly documented "other" shapes.

Method: Tier-basedMax 8 pts
Tier mapping
Points equal the tier number (0–8).

What we score: documented die family coverage. One point per bucket, max 8 points. No documentation → 0 for that bucket.

Buckets (1 pt each, 8 max)
  • Round tube
  • Pipe
  • Square tube
  • EMT
  • Metric round
  • Metric square/rectangular
  • Plastic/urethane pressure dies
  • Other documented shapes (e.g. hex, specialty profiles)

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

7. Track Record (Years in Business) (3 points)

Documented operating history of the brand. This matters, but far less than performance and features, so we keep the weight modest.

Method: Tier-basedMax 3 pts
Tier mapping
Points equal the tier number (0–3).

What we score: published years in business when available. Missing or unknown scores 0. This category is intentionally low weight.

Numeric tiers (3 max)
  • ≥ 25 years → 3
  • ≥ 10 years → 2
  • > 0 years → 1
  • missing/unknown → 0

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

8. Upgrade Path & Modularity (8 points)

Factory-supported power upgrades, length/rotation indexing, angle measurement, auto-stop, thick/thin-wall upgrades, and wiper-die support – one point for each documented upgrade.

Method: Tier-basedMax 8 pts
Tier mapping
Points equal the tier number (0–8).

What we score: factory-documented upgrade flags. Each documented upgrade is worth 1 point (8 max). Missing/unknown → 0 for that flag.

Flags (1 pt each, 8 max)
  • Power upgrade path
  • Length stop
  • Rotation indexing
  • Angle measurement
  • Auto-stop
  • Thick-wall upgrade
  • Thin-wall upgrade
  • Wiper die support

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

9. Mandrel Compatibility (4 points)

Documented support for mandrel bending on this frame (or a direct factory kit). No guesses; only what's clearly supported by the manufacturer.

Method: Tier-basedMax 4 pts
Tier mapping
Points equal the tier number (0–4).

What we score: the manufacturer's documented mandrel capability for this frame. If not documented, it scores 0. No guessing.

Exact mapping (4 max)
  • mandrel = "available" or "bronze" → 4
  • mandrel = "economy" → 2
  • anything else / missing → 0

"Economy" means non-bronze mandrels (plastic/aluminum/steel). "Available/bronze" means a full bronze or equivalent factory-supported system.

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

10. True S-Bend Capability (3 points)

Ability to make a true S-bend with ≤0.125" straight between opposing bends, proven by documentation or repeatable test pieces. Marketing photos with several inches of straight do not count.

Method: BinaryMax 3 pts

What we score: true/false for true S-bend capability. If it's not documented or not explicitly verified, it scores 0.

Binary (3 max)
  • sBendCapability true → 3
  • false / missing → 0

Definition: two opposite-direction bends with ≤0.125" straight (tangent) between them. Marketing photos with inches of straight do not qualify.

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

11. USA Manufacturing (Disclosure-Based) (5 points)

Points based strictly on what the manufacturer publicly claims about where frames, dies, and hydraulics are made or assembled. We do not independently verify or guess where parts are actually made.

Method: Tier-basedMax 5 pts

What we score: a disclosure-based tier (0–5) based solely on the manufacturer's own published claims. This is not a legal opinion and not an FTC compliance ruling.

Tier meaning (points = tier number)
  • 5 → FTC-unqualified "Made in USA" claim (explicitly stated by manufacturer).
  • 4 → Strong USA build claim (frame + dies clearly USA; hydraulics mostly/partially USA per disclosure).
  • 3 → "Made/Assembled in USA" claim with substantial USA content described (e.g., majority USA parts/materials stated or clearly implied in published copy).
  • 1 → USA assembly claimed but imported parts/content not described well enough to justify a higher tier.
  • 0 → Imported, no meaningful USA claim, or only vague USA-flavored language.
Missing/unclear disclosure → score conservatively at the lower tier. We do not guess.

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

12. Origin Transparency (5 points)

How clearly the manufacturer explains where major components come from. This scores the quality of disclosure, not the origin itself.

Method: Tier-basedMax 5 pts

What we score: how clearly the manufacturer documents the origin of major components. This scores documentation quality only; it does not reward or penalize any country.

Tier meaning (points = tier number)
  • 5 → Clear documentation of frame, dies, hydraulics, and other major components (with minimal gaps).
  • 4 → Clear origin info for most major components, with only minor gaps.
  • 3 → Partial disclosure (some key components documented, others omitted).
  • 2 → Minimal disclosure (scattered or vague origin language).
  • 0 → No meaningful origin disclosure or conflicting/unclear claims.

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

13. Single-Source System (2 points)

Binary: can a normal buyer obtain a complete, fully functional bending system (frame + dies + hydraulics/lever) from one primary manufacturer/storefront, or not?

Method: BinaryMax 2 pts

What we score: whether a normal buyer can obtain a complete, fully functional bending system from one primary storefront/manufacturer — specifically: frame + dies + the required power/actuation (hydraulics or lever), plus the stand/base if it is required for normal use.

Binary mapping (2 max)
  • 2 points → full system available from one primary source, and the system is sold as a coherent platform under that source (no required "go elsewhere" components).
  • 0 points → anything else (missing key components, requires sourcing elsewhere, or unclear completeness).

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

14. Warranty (Published Terms Only) (3 points)

Warranty strength based strictly on the published terms (coverage and duration). We do not score how well the warranty is honored in practice.

Method: Tier-basedMax 3 pts
Tier mapping
Points equal the tier number (0–3).

What we score: published warranty terms only (tier 0–3). We do not score how well a warranty is honored.

Tier mapping (3 max)
  • 0 = no meaningful written warranty / sold as-is / not mentioned
  • 1 = short, limited, or vague coverage
  • 2 = clear ~1–2 year coverage
  • 3 = clear multi-year or lifetime frame/structural coverage

Data sources & verification

  • Manufacturer technical specifications, capacity charts, and manuals
  • Official product pages and documentation PDFs
  • Documented compatibility lists (dies/materials/upgrades)
  • If it's not published/verified, that feature scores 0 for that category

Looking for the per-product math? Open any review and expand Score math (diagnostic).

Browse reviews

Transparency & Verification

All scoring is based on publicly available manufacturer documentation and verifiable claims. If a capability is not published or cannot be verified, it scores 0 for that category rather than relying on assumptions.

Data sources

  • Manufacturer technical specs and capacity charts
  • Product manuals and official documentation
  • Company founding dates and history
  • Clarification from support and sales teams

Scoring verification

  • Cross-checks across multiple official sources
  • Conservative scoring when data is incomplete or ambiguous (0 points rather than guessing)
  • Individual product pages expose per-category breakdowns so you can inspect each score.