15 & 22mm Pipe bender...

[bill_gj]

...anyone got any recommendations?

Loads on ebay, of course. Screwfix has about three or four. Loads of different prices.

I've got some chrome 15mm to put slight bends in first and I want a nice finish - can't get that with a spring.
And before everyone tells me the plating can't stand a bend, it's only about 10º and I've already tried a bending spring and it wan't nice.

As for value for money, my son and his girl are in the process of buying a place that will need a bit of neat plumbing done, so it will pay for itself if not toooo expensive.

 

[eSCHEn]

Hilmor were the brand to have when I was doing HVAC. Nice heavy bits of kit but I see Irwin own them now so not 100% on current quality. SWK will be along to confirm / deny

 

[I'm getting on a bit]

I have the Hilmor one from new 30+ years

Bends 15mm chrome plated pipe to over 90 degrees no problem

 

[Kayos]

Hilmor all the way, can't comment on the newer ones, got mine 14 years ago when I was an apprentice

Nice bends are achieved by being smooth and not jerking it, some cheap chrome pipe can snap tho

 

[Wallace]

I bought a £23 Silverline bender from Argos a couple of weeks back to do some stainless tube, didn't want to spend a lot as I could see myself modifying it for the job but it coped surprisingly well. The pipe stop needed cleaning up as it was leaving a small dent, cleaning the paint off the moving parts and adding a dab of grease made it a lot smoother but it's never going to compete with a Hilmore or Ridgid if you have a lot of work to do. Ok for the money though.

 

[bill_gj]

I'll check the Agros one, but it looks like the Hilmor version wins.

THANKS ALL !!

 

[Wallace]

Shame you aren't closer you could borrow mine.

 

[bill_gj]

Thanks Wallace. Advice is just as good. Stops me unwittingly buying fertilizer!