Post a reply to the thread: 1/4" tubing bender?
You may choose an icon for your message from this list
Please enter the name by which you would like to log-in and be known on this site.
Please enter a password for your user account. Note that passwords are case-sensitive.
Please enter a valid email address for yourself.
Will turn www.example.com into [URL]http://www.example.com[/URL].
Thanks for the link to the Eastwood bender. Like you said it looks easy enough.
Hey Amick Send me a mailing address, I go sumptin fer ya...... Email in profile.
Fortunately, I don't have to make accurate bends...lol So far, bends are artwork for me, not accurate or calculated...lol I'm more concerned with pinching or restricting the bend -- if it stays round, I'm happy -- Almost all of the field work I've seen from competitors have pinched or kinked lines, which is poor quality. Originally Posted by amickracing Coil springs just aren't accurate enough when you have 3 or 6 (or how many ever) lines all running along each other and need to make that many accurate bends.... I do have the 3 in 1 bender, actually 2 of them, they work, but not nearly as handy as the pictured bender. If you haven't used one, I'm tellin ya, they'll blow you away how nice they are. I found one that's kinda similar, and I'm tempted to buy it... anyone ever used one of these? http://dticorp.com/catalog/honeywell...er-p-3435.html
Fortunately, I don't have to make accurate bends...lol
Originally Posted by emcoasthvacr I'd prefer a coil spring for that size. Coil springs just aren't accurate enough when you have 3 or 6 (or how many ever) lines all running along each other and need to make that many accurate bends.... I do have the 3 in 1 bender, actually 2 of them, they work, but not nearly as handy as the pictured bender. If you haven't used one, I'm tellin ya, they'll blow you away how nice they are. I found one that's kinda similar, and I'm tempted to buy it... anyone ever used one of these? http://dticorp.com/catalog/honeywell...er-p-3435.html
Those are the ones I have, but I still havent found them....I'll start looking again..Those are excellent benders..
not the one your looking for but close http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...3976_200353976 http://www.toolfetch.com/Category/Pi...ders/25140.htm
coil spring or 3 in 1 I'd prefer a coil spring for that size.
coil spring or 3 in 1
I'm still eagerly lookin for a bender (or 2, or 3) like this... anyone know of any?
I'll snap a picture of the 3/8 Johnson bender I have tomorrow (if I remember of course). Same thing just bigger. The one thing that could cause a problem with some of the benders I think is the fact that my 1/4" is hard copper, not soft... I found a bender for like 99 cents, couldn't help but try it for that much. It kinda worked, but it kinked real easy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KRNR...eature=related looks nice and easy
tubing bender I have the multi bender also and have the imperial eastman bender with the long handles for bending steel tubing. Of course the ie bender works great if you have a lot of room. I have had these for years . 3/8,5/16,1/4. they really make a job looking great. for larger tubing go with the rachet type.
tubing bender
Just to be clear, while the "teardrop" automotive style bender is a little cumbersome in the hand I can't hardly imagine anything more suited to tight spaces, and it produces decent bends- I'd say about a 8 on a scale of 1- 10. But that's dependent on the guy using it more than some other benders. But, hey, the things only like 4.50 at the local Auto parts store. so you aren't loosing much if you don't like it. If you guys get a picture of this fabled johnson controls bender please post. I salivate over great tools.
Originally Posted by neophytes serendipity Imperial Eastman lever style bender. I have those as well. And I use very few if any 3/8" or smaller fittings, I bend and swage my tubing to fit.
Imperial Eastman lever style bender.
I used this bender a few times now and it's not bad. It is the one from Harbor Freight (labeled for automotive brake lines). [IMG][/IMG]
Spring bender don't quite work as well as I'd like them to... I like to make exact(ish) bends that follow each other... kinda tough to do with a spring. Not to mention sliding it down 12' of tubing to make one bend. I browsed the Napa store today actually, while I was waiting to be served... nothing too cool there really... Andersorco, you'd be my hero if you managed to find one of them old school benders!
Hey amick....I'll look in my junk boxes I might have some extras ones.......
Originally Posted by smokin68 bending spring on the small stuff. I have a ratcheting bender also. Did you try the auto parts one for brake lines? They're inexpensive and work.... har har... You beat me to it smokin'
I Carry around on of those 3in1 180 benders Johnstone sells but it always seems way to cumbersome to me. A couple of weeks ago I ran out to the local auto parts store and grabbed an el-cheapo tubbing bender they sell- It ain't much to look at but it fits in tight spaces and allows me to make bends on the fly while I'm running my 1/4" water lines for humidifiers. I was sloppy the first time I used it and almost kinked a line, but after that I've had no problems. It feels a little awkward in the hand with it's "teardrop" shaped handle but when I consider how easy it is to use otherwise it's worth it. So far I'd have to say other than the "stamped metal construction" this thing is the bomb. I don't know if this is that exact same tool or what size tubing it handles but this looks like the one I bought. http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...egoryCode=3498
bending spring on the small stuff. I have a ratcheting bender also. Did you try the auto parts one for brake lines? They're inexpensive and work.... or if you prefer......http://cgi.ebay.com/2-SWAGELOK-STAIN...QQcmdZViewItem
Forum Rules