Desperate pipe bending advice please!

[Eng33]

I am pulling my hair out here, please help! No matter what I do I can not seem to stop 22mm copper pipe kinking / rippling on the inside radius, although sometimes it doesn't happen at all.

I have always owned (from new) a Hilmor hand pipe bender, and can't remember having this issue as much as I'm having now. With this in mind, I have just bought a brand new Rothenberger bender, which looks much better quality and all the parts are nice and tight (unlike the Hilmor). But this seems to be even worse!

I have also tried the following with both benders:- lubricating the pipe, warming the pipe, placing a steel rule 'shim' between the roller and former, and ensuring the pipe holder 'finger' is pushed up to the die. But none of these consistently cures the problem.

The only thing left I can think of is the pipe itself? Always bought from B&Q so not exactly cheap stuff, it's British kite marked and branded 'Black Label'.

Please help!

Many thanks.

 

[linkyplumb]

Try slackening off the rolloers slightly, after all they are supposed to roll over the back of the former.
Make sure that they are actually rolling.

BTW I found that the rotty benders were poo, compared to the hilmors.

Graham

 

[Agile]

I find that the quality of the copper is nothing like it used to be .

The Black Label is one of the best on the cheaper market though.

Another helpful tip is to take about five minutes to pull each bend.

Tony

 

[roguetrader]

the apprentice started complaining of this a few weeks ago, both me and my mate tryed the benders which were fine. he'd developed the habit of pulling on the pipe as well as the bender, to try and help it round. if your doing it with two different benders maybe your technique need looking at.

 

[Eng33]

Thanks for the (helpful) replies and tips guys, have tried annealing but still get kinks. Also, I only ever pull on the handles, not the pipe, but could see how this would cause the problem. Have now gone back to Hilmor bender with steel rule 'technique', and this seems to be the best option.

 

[Whitespirit66]

I usually get this problem if my bender and/or guides are worn out. What condition is your Hilmor bender and guides in?

 

[Eng33]

I usually get this problem if my bender and/or guides are worn out. What condition is your Hilmor bender and guides in?

Pretty good, it's only ever had 'DIY' use, but as i say the problem also exists with the brand new Rothenberger one.

 

[twgas]

I'd suspect the roller spindle is slightly bent. hence using the steel rule holds the pipe more snugly and so forming a kink-free bend.

 

[Nige F]

the apprentice started complaining of this a few weeks ago, both me and my mate tryed the benders which were fine. he'd developed the habit of pulling on the pipe as well as the bender, to try and help it round. .

I`ll bet the little scrote pulls his wire too

 

[Nige F]

Polish the former and guide with steel wool until they shine lubricate the roller bushes only

 

[tamz]

If you want to do good bends use a real bending machine like a CM42, not a toy. You will even be able to bend thinwall (table z) if it turns you on.

 

[gasbanni]

Try slackening off the rolloers slightly, after all they are supposed to roll over the back of the former.
Make sure that they are actually rolling.

BTW I found that the rotty benders were poo, compared to the hilmors.

Graham

I'll second that got both, but use my record solo benders for 15mm helluva lot !

 

[gasbanni]

Another helpful tip is to take about five minutes to pull each bend.

Tony

What !

 

[heatingman]

just read that as well and thought something similar!

5 minutes WTF!

 

[kevplumb]

5 mins to pull a bend in 22 you would put a week on the job