Pipe Bending

[easyt]

I am doing a bathroom refit. Very little pipe bending required. Probably a couple of 20 degree bends to get over an existing pipe and some slight realignments. I was going to treat myself to a pipe bender (£45) but in view of the limited use thought an internal spring (£4) might be better. (can't find my old internal spring anywhere) Any views.

 

[mikeygas]

You will get hacked off using a bending spring, believe me. Are you thinking of bending any 22mm pipe with a spring🙂

It is much quicker and easier and looks more professional to be able to use a set of pipe benders properly.

 

[easyt]

Just a few slow bends in 15mm. I'll have a practice Monday and see how I go. Would prefer a bender but for probably 4 slow bends within 18inch of the end of pipes it seems daft to pay £45.

 

[mikeygas]

Maybe, but look at that £45 as an investment into your business. Remember time is money.
What you gonna do in the future if you have to do crossovers and offsets, or even 90 degree bends?
By the time you have messed about measuring and inserting the spring into the pipe and then doing the bend, and then getting it out, you could have smashed it out with a set of benders😉

 

[dontknowitall]

The "sheds" sell ready made crossovers and you can buy 45 degree elbows if this is of any help.

 

[easyt]

Maybe, but look at that £45 as an investment into your business. Remember time is money.
What you gonna do in the future if you have to do crossovers and offsets, or even 90 degree bends?
By the time you have messed about measuring and inserting the spring into the pipe and then doing the bend, and then getting it out, you could have smashed it out with a set of benders😉

I've done really tight 90 degree bends with a spring. (Mind that was 25 years ago when I was a lot stronger 🙂). If I was in business I would definitely buy a bender. As I am a retired DIY chap and nearing 60 I hope not to be doing too many more jobs of this type. (Depends on OH 😱). I have fitted 4 bathrooms and 3 kitchens in the past but I really prefer to walk by the river. 😉

EasyT

The "sheds" sell ready made crossovers and you can buy 45 degree elbows if this is of any help.

Thanks for that. I had forgotten that crossovers were available. Spot on that fella.

EasyT

 

[tackleburger]

Imagine a pro buying a bend! What next?

 

[mikeygas]

Fair one Easy, if you turned up at home with a set of benders the missus would have you doing all sorts of plumbing jobs😀

 

[Dannypipe]

If you're serious about being a plumber, buy some benders. Good ones.

Your tools earn your money, and you will use them in the course of your career. I buy new tools constantly, and never scrimp. It's not cost affective in the long run.

 

[student plumber]

I've been doing some searching for benders on websites, I've seen some for as cheep as £15 or as much as about £50, they both had yellow handles and I'm sure they were the same make.

But I've also seen a red handle set by Rothernburger for about £80 I think.

Do you get what you pay for and the sets are a lot better than cheaper ones or are you just paying for the name.

 

[Toddyplumb]

We use rothenburger hand held and floorstanding , no probs.
What you do have to watch for is some of the copper is poor !

 

[easyt]

B & Q had one on offer reduced from £60 to £45. Have a look online. Didn't seem bad. I'm no expert though so you could check the make and ask on here if they are any good. As a DIY chap I wouldn't expect much for £15.

 

[gates1979]

I wouldnt bother with any of the cheap ones get yourself a set of hilmor benders they are solid and decent quality they also have marks on the formers to help with your bends

 

[easyt]

I think the one on B and Q site was a Hilmor.

 

[gates1979]

If it is and its only £45 its well worth buying

 

[WHPES]

Don't knock ready bought crossovers. They are useful in tight spaces and you can't pull a bend as tight as a bought one, however they are quite expensive so only use where absolutely necessary.

 

[Gray0689]

If you cant bend a tight one try cutting a bit off guide

 

[easyt]

[DLMURL="http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9285517&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=bender&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1279205665387&isSearch=true"]Irwin Hilmor GLM Hand Bender T591057-BQ Yellow Body/Steel Heads 15mm (Stainless Steel) 22mm (Copper), T591057-BQ[/DLMURL]

 

[turnpin]

looks good to me hope offer is still on for you. go on treat yourself you know it makes sense😀🙂regards turnpin

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

bes is same price

 

[student plumber]

B & Q looks promising I'll have to see if I can get a look at some point. Thanks.
I have used a large pipe benders that had a base about 8" x 4" so it could be bolted to a workbench, but I imagine they still work even if it wasn't bolted down because it would have some stability, but I havn't seen for sale anywhere. Any ideas.

 

[WHPES]

That's a good offer. Hilmor are the best ones.

Tip - Get two a really strong, large, thick ruber bands and use these to attach the formers to the handles when not in use. That way they will always stay together!!

 

[Kevin Randall]

Ive bought the forge steel pipe benders from screw fix for £27.99 they are the same as the monument ones which are about £75...... not a bad deal

 

[Dotty]

Ive bought the forge steel pipe benders from screw fix for £27.99 they are the same as the monument ones which are about £75...... not a bad deal

Sometimes thats a false economy mate, and a mistake I've made all too often! You would've been better adding a bit more cash and buying the Hilmor's. I use them as do most other plumbers. I started off with Rothenbergers but kept getting wrinkles on the inside of every bend I pulled. And their 22mm pipeslices are pants too! 😀

 

[Avatar]

I have a draper mini 15mm only bender, that i got for £20 squid. I wanted a portable bender, which will fit in one of my tool bags as it is only 600mm long, light and did 15mm which is my main needs . . .

I do have a lovely hilmor however, which I got for £40 from screwfix, with a £15 hilmor hacksaw thrown in!!

Good promotion that!