Tube benders???

[anthonyac1]

I have the ratchet tube bender from yellow jacket I purchased about 6 years ago. I don't use it often. The 7/8" and sometimes the 3/4" copper tubing curls up on the Inside of the bend. It makes me want to throw this thing as far as I can throw it. I use a 3 in 1 tube bender for 1/4",5/16",3/8" it bends the pipe nice. I'm looking for a reliable bender for 1/2",5/8",3/4",7/8". I kind of want one set of the same brand so once I learn how to bend it's always the same. Different benders you have to add or subtract for the bend. I was looking into a set from imperial m# 260-fha it's pricey but if it's a good tool I do t mind. I mainly do service here n there I swap out condensers/units. Looking for your input thanks

[BobDobbs]

I have a Yellow Jacket ratchet bender too. On the 7/8" and sometimes 3/4" I have used a little zoom spout on the mandrel and it seems to work.

[jtrammel]

I just beat the mandrel off of the pipe with whatever is close by. I haven't bought any copper fittings in quite a while, I just use my bender and swaging tool.

[lytning]

WD 40 helps.

[anthonyac1]

Do you have the yellow jacket or hilmor??

[jtrammel]

Do you have the yellow jacket or hilmor??

YJ I haven't broke the plastic yet, seems pretty tough. If you go over 90* then it's a pia to get off.

[flanders]

I used to have the Yellow Jacket but replaced it with the Hilmor. The Hilmor works better. The same goes for Hilmor's swager.

[oldguy1949]

Imperial benders from 1/2 thru 7/8 ,the individual type.had my set a long time and have a set on all trucks

[anthonyac1]

The swager looks nice. So far my bander n swager by yellow jacket are holding up but I am curious what else people are using. I also learned the cheapy copper curls up easier. But I'm sure lubrication definitely helps it slide easier

[EZMD]

WD 40 helps.

^^^ What He said.

[lytning]

I bought the swaging tool by Hilmor. It works ok but Iwas very disappointed it doesn't do1/4 inch. That sucks.

The swager looks nice. So far my bander n swager by yellow jacket are holding up but I am curious what else people are using. I also learned the cheapy copper curls up easier. But I'm sure lubrication definitely helps it slide easier

[anthonyac1]

That will be nice. I always swage the 1/4" copper by hand with the flaring block and the 1/4" adapter. With my yellow jacket tube expander the lever type doesn't make a deep swage. I Would like for it to sit deeper in the pipe. I never had a leak but I'm just saying. When you do it by hand it makes a better swage it's deeper with less play in the fitting

[lytning]

Use my Master cool for 1/4 swages

That will be nice. I always swage the 1/4" copper by hand with the flaring block and the 1/4" adapter. With my yellow jacket tube expander the lever type doesn't make a deep swage. I Would like for it to sit deeper in the pipe. I never had a leak but I'm just saying. When you do it by hand it makes a better swage it's deeper with less play in the fitting

[slctech]

After time the mandrels will build up crap in the groove that will cause the pipe to grab and ripple on the inside of the bend. Using brake or carb cleaner, clean the mandrel. Start making a practice of keeping the mandrel clean and lubricated with refrigerant oil or WD40 as stated. This will allow the tube to properly glide through the mandrel and prevent rippling of the pipe.

[VTP99]

Bottom line ..... cheap copper, find a piece that has a patina finish and see how that bends. When I bought my replacement bender BRAND NEW I tried two different suppliers copper. One bent as it should, the other had the Chinese Alligator Belly.

[Mario Brother]

Check Hilmor swags set

[Mario Brother]

Yellow jacket w reversible mandrel

[lytning]

What would makeit perfect would be a 1/4 inch adapter.

Check Hilmor swags set

[anthonyac1]

Does the hilmor swage tool make a deep swage with the 3/8"? I have the yellow jacket swage tool the lever type I believe it's called. The 3/8" fitting does not make a very deep swage

[lytning]

If memory serves a bit over 1/2 inch. Plenty deep enough.

Does the hilmor swage tool make a deep swage with the 3/8"? I have the yellow jacket swage tool the lever type I believe it's called. The 3/8" fitting does not make a very deep swage