Pipe Benders

Schmill · 24 Dec 2010

So I thought I would get myself a pipe bender save using the end-feed elbows that I've been doing until now.

There seems to be a fairly large range in the costs of them though.
As I will only be using it for occasional DIY, not day to day trade work will one of the cheaper ones be ok, or is it case with these that the cheap ones are not worth having?
Previously I had considered using springs, but didn't relish the thought of getting them stuck half way down a pipe!

These are the benders that I've been looking at so far:

B&Q £39.98
http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?isSearch=true&fh_search=0000005256037&x=23&y=13

Amazon £26.28
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000LFVEZO/

Screwfix £26.98
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/18255...s/Pipe-Bending/Heavy-Duty-Pipe-Bender-15-22mm

Screwfix £57.69
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/63880...ols/Pipe-Bending/Irwin-Hilmor-GLM-Pipe-Bender
or
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/47575.../Pipe-Bending/Irwin-Hilmor-Pipe-Bender-15-22m

Wickes £42.88
http://www.wickes.co.uk/Tube-Bender/invt/501296

At the moment I am looking at the £26.98 one from Screwfix, but am open to suggestions

Thanks all!

gigz · 24 Dec 2010

You get what you pay for, i use the hilmors but they get used every day (except for the next 2 weeks

) they will all do the job if only using occasionally.

YELLERBELLY · 24 Dec 2010

go for Record or Hilmor

libby lou lou · 24 Dec 2010

Refurbed hilmor on fleabay at thirty quid a time.

bathjobby · 24 Dec 2010

I don't normally go for Q & B stuff but I re-plumbed my 2 bathrooms (all 15mm) using their benders and they were fine and are still as good as the day I bought them.

doitall · 24 Dec 2010

Always used fittings on surface work other than off-sets kinks etc.

mehran · 24 Dec 2010

been thinking of using more bending in my work. Have just bought myself a pipe expander/socket former for xmas. was thinking of pre making loads of swept elbow with the bender and put sockets on each end.

same again for cross overs. loads of work before hand I know but we all have quiet times.

plstering · 24 Dec 2010

i just got a set of hilmor rebuilds off ebay never agen dont get them there bad im off too screwfix soon too get the real set of hilmor glm benders

Biggles.. · 24 Dec 2010

I find you get a tighter bend with rothenbergers than you do with hilmors.

Nige F · 24 Dec 2010

plstering said:
i just got a set of hilmor rebuilds off ebay never agen dont get them there bad im off too screwfix soon too get the real set of hilmor glm benders

tell us more - I was going to get some of them

echoes · 24 Dec 2010

I bought the screwfix £26.98 ones and have found them great for my occasional use. Don't trust the 90 degree markers - they lie!

plstering · 25 Dec 2010

it states they are the last uk makers of hilmor banders as the rest comes over sea now i know they are rebuilds but the workmenship
is so pants the paint job is bad the formers and guids are made buy them and they say its an improvement but iv use hilmor's in the past and its no were nere as good
the hook that holds the pipe in place is ruff as f**k damaging the pipe when your bending full cross overs and sume times half cross overs
iv kepet them and done some upgrads myself im changing the guides for a much better ones iv got back in essex iv send the for them too some plumbing m8 of mine and i now fill like a plum now ps and there is no hilmor marking on them so how do you know if they are real or not i must say mine look like a knock offs so im off to screwfix soon for a real set

studips · 25 Dec 2010

if i trashed my hilmors, i'd get the rothenbergers next time. a lass i know has a set and they do seem better than my hilmors.

can't see me finding an excuse to replace them in the next decade though - they are pretty bullet proof.

dreadnoughtheating · 25 Dec 2010

Do NOT buy the rothies, I should know better and just replace them, the hook thingie digs in esp to the 22mm pipe.

but, what to replace them with? Record I think.

DH

Schmill · 15 Jan 2011

Thanks for all the replies and discussion

I think I'll go for the Hilmor GLM.

Out of interest, on some sites I see a "Hilmor GLM Pipe Bender" which is suitable for 15mm & 22mm pipe, and on other sites I see a "Hilmor 15/22mm Pipe Bender", and on sites where there are both listed it seems common to have about £10 difference in price.

Any ideas why?

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Pipe Benders

YELLERBELLY

plstering

plstering

Similar threads