That first one is like the ones I've used at work and I've been able to get good results bending, 1-1/2 --2 inch pipe,,, now that bottom one although we got one at work I don't like to use it,,, I find it ackward ??? I think you bought the better one, imho,,,
Exactly the same principal as the ones from machine mart. If you don't have the correct size die for your pipe it will kink and in my experience at work thinner walled pipe kinks we have to get a thicker walled pipe to bend pipe for handrails. I find them a pain, I sold mine and stuck with filling my pipe with sand.
for thin walled pipes or tubing you will need a deep former .
hilmor do former's as well as others but what maxi mum size??
I had to have 12" one made for 19mm (honda gl1000 grab rail)
expensive too.
the problem you have with clarks and above is that the wall doesn't go deep enough to cover the thin walled tube or pipe.
it has to cover beyond the half way mark on the pipe etc other wise it will kink.
I've been bending pipes for over 10 years now so I am speaking of experience and learnt the hard way.
That is actually a pipe bender for pipefitters , its for 1/2 " to 2" barrel and they work very well , if you put thin wall tube in it will kink and ripple !
I've got a huge Hilmor bender and agree with Tigman. Great for thick walled materials (I bend scaffolding with easy) and have dies up to 3" but thin wall just kinks. I got it nearly 20 years ago off a chap who use do contract work installing factory pipework and kept it when contract company went bust owing him wages ! Cost me something like £65.
The first bender is a press bender and is only suitable for pipe with a heavy wall thickness, ie scaffold tube or steam pipe. The second one is a rotary bender, this rolls the pipe round a former, usually with guide, it is designed for thin walled pipe and tubes. Great bit off kit but you need to have the correct formers and guides for each size you are going to bend. If you google Tubela, they make a press bender and have a scissors attachment that fits on the pump ram unit that does rotary bending. I have one, I think the last former set I bought was around £230.00. Staffa also made a rotary bender, but I have only seen it the formers in copper sizes, but you might find one on flea bay. I hope this helps. Regards James
Hi I just studied the picture again, that is the Tubela machine, so basically you unscrew the pump ram unit from the yoke in the top picture and screw on the scissors rotary bending attachment.
yes that is a pipe bender...IT WILL NOT BEND THIN WALLED TUBE.... you need a tube bender for that, look up the difference between pipe and tube, the subject has been covered on here in several different forms
Hi agrimog, I don't think that's right, the lower machine is a rotary bender attachment for bending thin wall tube. It fits onto the first pump unit which is shown in press bending mode. Only reason I know is I have bought one for bending thin wall stainless tube.
If it's a Tubela bender it will be infamous for consistently bending thick walled pipe and tube day after day, year after year. Thin walled tube or pipe will kink unless filled with sand and the proper precautions taken.