Tubing benders

[tinnerjohn]

I'm finally gonna break down and buy one. I've used the Yellow Jacket but online research comes up with a Master Cool thats a little cheaper. Anyone know anything about Master Cool? I recognize and trust the Yellow Jacket name, but Master Cool is new to me. Thanks. John

[AC5096]

I'm finally gonna break down and buy one. I've used the Yellow Jacket but online research comes up with a Master Cool thats a little cheaper. Anyone know anything about Master Cool? I recognize and trust the Yellow Jacket name, but Master Cool is new to me. Thanks. John

This one?

http://www.mastercool.com/pages/int_tube_benders.html
I have the YJ and the Mastercool looks the same, to me.

From what I have read Mastercool products are hit and miss on quality, and from personal experience their customer service sucks.

I do have an older MC 5cfm vacuum pump I bought used and it's always worked fine. One of the rubber feet was missing. I called Mastercool to see if they would sell me the part. That was a waste of a phone call. The CSR told me to try the local NAPA store. That didn't work out to well. NAPA told me to call Mastercool.:confused:

[tinnerjohn]

Thanks AC5096. Thats the one. There wasn't a lot of price difference, but since I'd never heard of them and I can't do a hands on comparison, I thought I'd run it by you guys. John

[KnewYork]

To me those little 3 tubing size benders are inferior and produce an inferior bend. If you want your installations to look "tight" I highly recommend you buy single size benders from Imperial Eastman like this style (https://www.flowline.net/default.aspx?page=item detail&itemcode=364-FHB-06). The lever style (70061-70069) from MasterCool are on par.

[mark beiser]

I just got the YJ ratcheting bending kit today, along with the reverse bending attachment.

I don't know what difference there is, or if there is even a difference between the YJ and Master Cool benders, but Master Cool products tend to be low quality, and they don't offer a reverse bending adapter for their kit.

[jnsrose]

I also have the yellow jacket with reverse attachment. The reverse attachment cost almost as much as the original unit. Use it once though and you will be happy you have it.

[Baycienda]

Looks a little different posting on the new site. I've used both yellow jacket and master cool. Yellow Jacket seemed to be a little better built, better name, and quality. Be careful about using that reverse bender. If somebody does a redneck bend coming out the side of a house and you think you can put that reverse bender on there and make it tighter it will crimp it every time. You are better off just cutting it and starting over. You are almost better off not even buying one and find ways to just use the bender. You'll be better off in my opinion.

[Eaallred]

I've used the YJ bender, and it works fine.

But a few months ago I bought a bender in a red case, and has aluminum dies for the bender from here:
http://www.northwaysmachinery.com/product_detail.asp?ItemNumber=CBI%20CT999RF%20Ratc het%20Tubing%20Bender%20with%20Reverse%20Bend%20Ad apter

Comes WITH the reverser attatchments, and is only $120!

Works great, and a big advantage i've found with the aluminum dies vs. plastic dies, is after you make your bend, the pipe comes out of the aluminum dies VERY easily. With plastic dies the copper got real tight and I usually had to hit them off. I would HIGHLY recommend this bender to anyone. VERY pleased with it so far.

Just found the red case bender is also avaliable with plastic dies, beware!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CBI-CT999-Ratchet-Tubing-Bender-7-Sizes-for-OD-Soft-Refrigeration-Copper-Pipe-/230835039525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bed72d25

[timetable15]

Buy the yellow jacket worth the money

[Shamoke]

OK, you all convinced me to buy the Yellow Jacket bending set. I bought it, got it and used it once already. I am impressed and will be using it for every install. Theres just nothing like a nice smooth bend to make a job look better.

[jnsrose]

I've used the YJ bender, and it works fine.

But a few months ago I bought a bender in a red case, and has aluminum dies for the bender from here:
http://www.northwaysmachinery.com/product_detail.asp?ItemNumber=CBI%20CT999RF%20Ratc het%20Tubing%20Bender%20with%20Reverse%20Bend%20Ad apter

Comes WITH the reverser attatchments, and is only $120!

Works great, and a big advantage i've found with the aluminum dies vs. plastic dies, is after you make your bend, the pipe comes out of the aluminum dies VERY easily. With plastic dies the copper got real tight and I usually had to hit them off. I would HIGHLY recommend this bender to anyone. VERY pleased with it so far.

Just found the red case bender is also avaliable with plastic dies, beware!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CBI-CT999-Ratchet-Tubing-Bender-7-Sizes-for-OD-Soft-Refrigeration-Copper-Pipe-/230835039525?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bed72d25

I think I payed more then that just for the reverse attachment. I may look into that as a second. I agree about the tightness. Also seem to have a kinking problem with the 3/4. Sometimes I use a silicone spray to avoid the kinking and sticking.

[Pascone10]

Johnstone has those reverse bender attachments for around $60. On sale this month.

[timetable15]

plus there is 2 less joints and the money saved on the ell plus ss

[johnnymick]

So I have the Yellow Jacket and reverse bar and it's great, but want to get a few sizes of dedicated benders... such as the imperial one mentioned earlier.

Anyone have the swagelok? How do they compare to the Imperial? Or to the Ridgid? or Rothenberger? Are there any other manufactures I should consider?

[rufus819]

I'm personally not a fan of tubing benders on 7/8" piping, pipe tends to oval out or even worse dent and kink. I did my fair share of coil replacements this summer on systems that were put in by other companies and found that to be the case. I'd rather use elbows for bends.

[neophytes serendipity]

....or Rothenberger?...

I have plenty of Rothenberger gear, and it is very good quality.

If I needed one of their lever style benders, I wouldn't hesitate. I already have Imperial lever benders.

The Rothenberger ratchet bender will work with the YJ reverse bender attachment after some modification :)