We use it and also like it
I don't mean the one with the real long handles that you really have to work at to make a swGE.
i'LL TRY TO FIND A LINK
HERE IT IS http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...9QEwBQ&dur=797
tHIS TOOL IS ONE HANDED OPERATION AND i HAD NO TROUBLE SWAGEING A 7/8 COPPER TUBE.
I got it on sale at Johnestone for $299.00 and had to wait a few week to get it...pretty popular tool!
We use it and also like it
3/8 ths tend to crack. Go very slow. I use it all the time.
Doug
Guy I work with has one an I borrow it a lot. Like slinger said you have to be nice to the 3/8 line. I'd live to have one but it's just not practical for me to buy....
We have had the one with the long handles for years and like it a lot. Between it and my ratcheting tubing bender, I rarely use any fittings, and use a lot less brazing materials.
I've been looking at getting the hydraulic version, but wanted to find out where it is manufactured first.
If it is made in China, I'll either hold onto my money, or buy the set for over $100 less from the Chinese manufacturer I suspect makes the one for YJ.
If you already have the lever action tubing expander, YJ sells a kit with just the hydraulic cylinder and new case that holds the cylinder and all the heads from the lever style kit.
Johnstone says taiwan/china as country of origin
I'd also be interested in the lesser priced version!!!
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Mastercool makes a hydraulic version that is much better for the 3/8 size. The one I have is an import knock off. Make sure you debur the copper before you try to swedge. For the 3/8 copper, I use a swedger that is similiar to the flare tool.
Doug
All I want is a #60497 kit for my van, and a #60494 upgrade kit for the lever one we have, but I can't find the #6097 kit for sale anywhere, not even online.
http://www.yellowjacket.com/sites/de...ec%20Sheet.pdf
I've got plenty of tubing cutters and reamers, and don't need the 1 3/8 and 1 5/8 heads.
man it's so hard to squeeze those handles together!!
I just came in from swedgeing 1 1/8" copper with one hand.
And i tried 3/8 too, it did not split.
That is probably just a problem with the two handle model.
Jmart will sell to the public in my area, so I avoid them unless they are the only available option for something, which is exceedingly rare.
I think the 3/8 splitting may only be a problem for people that try to expand it all in one go. I've been using the lever style expander for years, and have only ever split hard drawn copper that I tried to expand without annealing first.
The trick is to go about half way, then turn the tool a little before expanding it the rest of the way.
Yep. Even with soft tubing I tend to anneal it. You can silphos over crack but a wave of the torch to soften it up and you'll never have to. I've always had/used the mastercool Hydra Swage kit. I wish I'd known yj made one for that price.
I paid just shy of $700cdn for my Mastercool kit however it goes up to 2 1/8
As a contributing comment only, I would consider annealing the tube end before this operation.
In my area there are so many different suppliers of copper and if a good quality one (usually cheaper) is bought, bending will cause the tube to split.
Heat the area and quench it quickly and that will soften it up making it easier to work with. It works for me.
I would like one of theses kits, but cannot justify the cost.
I have a cheap Chinese one, US$99 plus a bit of freight. Easy to use and control.
Only issue and a minor one, is that the expanding pin, can work itself free. ( when the tongue and groove line up the pin can be removed, some tmes it lines up by itself)
As most the copper is thick walled and can be quite old, I to tend to heat before expanding, also tuning the head half way through the swage, stops the splitting
How much does the "upgrade kit" for the 60407 go for??? Anyone know don't see anything on line.
Looks like 2 bills for the kit with just the Hydraulic expander... Ill stick with my lever action.