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I have an Imperial set like rimek has a link to on his post. It is a little expensive, but well worth it. I would also recommend the Imperial tubing cutter that goes with the set. It does have to be purchased seperately, but well worth it.
If you have a problem with tubing splitting when you are trying to swage it, it may be work hardened. Take a torch and heat the tubing until it changes to a bluish color on the outside, let it cool, and then swage it. This has always worked for me.

I use the Yellow Jacket swage, flare kit and the Yellow Jacket ratchet tubing bender. Both work great. We used an old Imperial in shool that would split the smaller size tubing & usually stick. A drop of refrigeration oil cured the problem. Don't know about the strech mark cream though. That may raise an eyebrow or two. LOL

NICE,,hahaha

I have metracool ? i think thats who makes it.
one of them is a tubing expander it's hydrolic and works great for tubing over 1/2 inch. slide the correct adaptor inside the tubing and squeeze. very quick

Also have the hydrolic Flare/Swadge tool from the same company. this thing is awesome. Don't remeber splitting any tubing yet.
kinda a pain getting everything all lined up. but I'm getting used to it. I can make a flair with this faster than my old ridgid manual flare tool

hey what about using stretch mark cream to prevent splitting 3/8"

I'm gonna try using the stretch mark cream my wife used during pregnancy to prevent splitting 3/8 -- what do you guys think?

also, I was hoping on feedback between the Imperial solution & REMS for 1 1/8 bending -- fess up dudes.

Originally Posted by erc tech

Yellow Jacket and a hammer!

Yellow Jacket and a hammer!

I've got a no-name swage/flare kit I bought 15 years ago and it is still going strong. Didn't have a name but it is similar to the IMPERIAL set and works from 1/4" up to 3/4" OD tubing. I have found that on any tubing less than 3/8"OD the swage is nasty so, I use the hammer in types with no problems. I bought the precursor to the RITCHIE bender set 3 years ago and I haven't had to stock any fittings other than threaded ones, don't have taps or dies to cut flare threads. If you get a good one you will bless your lucky stars!

suggestions on 1 1/8 dia tubing?

have the same setup & like it -- what about bending 1 1/8 ?

Originally Posted by ryand

master-cool hydra swage with the yellow jacket ratchet tubing bender. You will never need a fitting again i love both those tools

Originally Posted by rimek

I've used the same Imperial set with the screw on taps for different sizes, just like a flare tool- with no cracks for over 30 years.

http://www.stridetool.com/tools/flar...gtools_08.html

I was gonna get the Rothenberger expander, but haven't gotten around to it-
http://www.cscindustrial.com/06_Roth...Expanders.html

I've been using the Imperial set for 7+ years with no problems. The kit is about $120 at most supply houses near here.

Bill

master-cool hydra swage with the yellow jacket ratchet tubing bender. You will never need a fitting again i love both those tools

I have the Imperial and like it .
Grainger has them instock most the time.
http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/1A217

you might want to try the hydro swadge. I bought one last month and I love it. The only thing it cracks on 3/8 tubing.

I've used the same Imperial set with the screw on taps for different sizes, just like a flare tool- with no cracks for over 30 years.

http://www.stridetool.com/tools/flar...gtools_08.html

I was gonna get the Rothenberger expander, but haven't gotten around to it-
http://www.cscindustrial.com/06_Roth...Expanders.html

Originally Posted by dhvac

i use the old fashion hammer in ones by ritchie or yellow jacket pound them in, never splits a line... ever

but now that i said that it will split every one for the next few months

i use one like that as well, it has like 5+ different sizes in 1 tool and you just hammer it in. Never split a line on any copper tube i have used it on.

i use the old fashion hammer in ones by ritchie or yellow jacket pound them in, never splits a line... ever

but now that i said that it will split every one for the next few months

I've tried the Ridgid one myself (someone elses) and it worked great. I've tried the cheesier versions too, and they are ok, but not good enough for me to ever use regularly.

From what I've heard it's always a PITA to swage smaller tubes like 3/8 with out them cracking.

The first ridgid set we had worked very well and never had trouble with it until it grew legs and left our shop. The replacement never worked very well on the small sizes like 1/2" & 3/8". It would crack the tube 70-80% of the time no matter what we did. Well now I don't have to worry about that tool anymore cause it grew legs just like the first one. Now we're looking for another replacement and will probably go with the Ridgid. But...

A lesson Learned--put a big chain around its neck.

Tube Expander Swag Tool Suggestions

Hi

Im in the market for a tube expander/swag tool.

Any suggestions on brands or models that are popular and work well?

Best Rregards