Tube Bender.wmv

Ratcheting tubing bender in action. One of my favorite tools. This thing can save a lot of time and material. I'm sure this one has paid for it's self several times over. If you have ever kinked a copper line trying to bend it by hand you'll appreciate this tool. Takes a little planning if you have multiple bends. I make a game out running line sets. I try to use as few fittings as possible.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• hvac
• hvacr
• tubing bender
• ratcheting tubing bender
• refrigeration
• air conditioner
• heat pump
• air conditioning
• tool
• hvac tool
• refrigeration piping
• installation

[PutSome5tankOnIt]

That is truly one bad-ass bender. As painful as they are, I still prefer the spring benders. It's personal but that's my choice. Manufacturers need to make their tools more affordable. I can afford lots of pricey tools but that's not reason enough for me to justify blowing $200 on a specialty tool like this. Cool video, by the way. I like your style.

[tstatech]

@PutSome5tankOnIt Thanks for the compliment. I justify it by the fact that this is one tool that has saved money by reducing the number of fittings and thereby reducing time brazing and leak checking and re-brazing leaky fittings. Especially since I started installing nothing but R410A systems that require sweeping the lines with Nitrogen while brazing. I don't know about you, but this is a pain in the ass. The bottle lasts no time at all when you set it up and then have to go inside to braze.

[Nutintoitbut2doit]

hay budy you made that look so easy I bought one. I plan on putting it to work on friday. Thanks for the video.

[heavydiesel]

I've always wondered how to get the bend where you wanted it with those crossbow benders, now i know!

[fritzhvac]

@tstatech It was 199.00 Home Depot , also got the camera too ... They thru in a minnie driver , been using on outdoor units .

Jason they get you coming and going !!! Summer ,gas goes down, electric goes up !!! Cap and Trade can suk , well better not go ther...lol

Hey Jason, are you familar with Goshen and Topeka, I was going up there every New years and July 4 ,when factory shut down for maintence, best AMISH food in the world !!! I think we are abut 60 miles are so apart ...

[tstatech]

@fritzhvac Checked it out, pretty cool. I bet it's pricey though. A lot of big houses where I live with cut up multi story levels. It can be quite challenging to route flues. So I have to use 3" a lot. I try to steer most of my customers toward heat pumps. Cheaper to install - No coil, no flue, no gas. And our electric rates compared to our gas rated have made heat pumps less expensive to use. I am afraid that is about to change with Cap and Trade. Indiana is >90% coal powered.

[fritzhvac]

@tstatech It's the Milwaukee M12 Cordless PVC Shear (lithium batteries), you can see it in action here on you tube !!! Man it cuts 3/4" to 2" PVC like butter !!! So you are safe up to 100,000 BtuH furnace (3") ... I mainly do 75,000 to 80,000 90% BtuH furnaces here, if my termanation is less than 20' ,I'm fine!!! You get those damn filing everywhere even when cutting vent over your furace box or coil box trashcan !!! lol (not anymore)....

[tstatech]

@fritzhvac Whats the name of the PVC cutter? what size can it handle? I use a miter saw for larger pipe. Let it snow PVC filings. I have a ratcheting tubing cutter that is pretty sweet. You can find them at Menards for @ $20. Another cool tool I bought at Menards is a reamer that doesn;t cut any filings. It just flattens the inside lip of the tubing.

[fritzhvac]

@tstatech Your a trip, I bet you could hear me cussing at your place last time they got stuck !!! I have came on job's were they actually left them on and covered with Armour Flex (what the hell is this) lol !!! Do you turn those blocks for apropriate size ? Man my Fieldpiece just set me back a good chunk ,and I had to have that New Milwaukke PVC cutter (man I have never run vent so fast in my life, NO MESS either )... But Bender is one purchase I will save for !!!

[tstatech]

@fritzhvac It's made by Yellow jacket. Actually there is a Yellow Jacket sticker over a company named REMI. There are several manufacturers of these. It does 3/8 - 7/8. It was @ $225 @ 7 years ago, I think it is under 2 now. There is an attachment that allows the ratchet to be on the outside of the bend. It is a must but another $130.

The first time I got a spring bender stuck I through that thing into the woods.