Which brand of 22mm copper best for bending?

[Hadlowj]

Hi everyone. What is the best brand of copper pipe for bending. Size 22mm?

Screwfix and city plumbing are Wednesbury but found quite a few negative reviews about ripple when bending. Jewsons are Melleur which I can’t find any reviews about. Wicks don’t say which brand but agin lots of bad reviews when bending. Ridgeons are Yorkex which I have seen in a few places, not found many reviews for it either?

Don’t mind spending a few £’s more for some decent tube as a lot of it will be visible.

Many thanks
James

 

[Old Account]

Hello James,

I always buy my pipes either city plumb or screwfix, toolstation. I never had ripple issues. It will be due to the bender or guide you use. My mate when he bends / and it doesn't matter what bender he uses he always has ripples. I do not understand why but that's a fact. I don't have issues at all with the quality of copper pipes from screwfix. Perhaps it's your bender ... you could try a little wd-40 on the guide perhaps it helps.

 

[snowhead]

AS above it's not generally the pipe it's the person doing the bending or the quality/age of the pipe bender.

Once you start pulling, don't stop, the tube can relax and move back in the bender.
If you do have to stop to assess the angle, keep the pulling pressure on the tube with the handle.

 

[townfanjon]

I gave up “pulling” years ago

 

[Best]

Agree it will likely be the pipe bender is badly made or worn or neglected.
I can bend 28mm copper always with perfect bends, so 22mm is easy
Also buy British copper pipe, not that foreign stuff that can snap, although thankfully I don't see it anymore for sale.

 

[Old Account]

I gave up “pulling” years ago

I keep pulling non stop, as much as possible without any joints

 

[Best]

I keep pulling non stop, as much as possible without any joints

What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business, Ron.

 

[Old Account]

What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business, Ron.

Perhaps it was an English joke and I didn't get that but who cares pulling is healthy

 

[Ric2013]

I often stop to assess the angle and perhaps ripple a bend in 20, probably less. I use a benditnow bender, Wednesbury or Yorkex tube. Beeswax polish on guides and former. I also took the bender rollers out when new and greased the bolts they roll around so they run more easily.

College benders often used to ripple bends, then I'd sigh and put silicone grease on guides and former, and it would be okay, but I suspect it doesn't last as long as beeswax polish.

 

[Last Plumber]

I can bend 28mm copper always with perfect bends

Can you bend em round your neck? lol

 

[Last Plumber]

What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business, Ron.

On a more serious note. Do you have a bender for 28 or are you using a spring?

 

[Best]

On a more serious note. Do you have a bender for 28 or are you using a spring?

I wouldn't be attempting to use a spring on 28mm
I have a large Hilmor frame bender - for up to 1" 1/4. It has the adjustable arm for the roller, which is needed to suit differences in pipe sizes and wall thickness.
I also have a Hilmor frame bender that is normal size and does up to 28mm, but arm has fixed hole points for roller.
Both machines are very old - 50 plus

 

[sammathias]

You may find when youre bending copper and have the longer end of the length hovering off floor its more likely to ripple. Unsure why. Thats my theory anyway so i always have the copper resting on floor before pulling

 

[Best]

You may find when youre bending copper and have the longer end of the length hovering off floor its more likely to ripple. Unsure why. Thats my theory anyway so i always have the copper resting on floor before pulling

I notice same. Also applies if the length of the copper being bent is very long.
I think what happens is if you stop half way then the pipe can slightly shift in wheel due to weight leverage of long pipe ends. So best just to keep moving the lever until full bend is done, or pull pipe tight to wheel with your hand if releasing lever to check angle of bend