Bending copper pipe with a cross-bow bender

[Art Butler]

On the old Kellogg compressor I needed to run a new 3/4'' copper header pipe. I gave it a try by hand to no avail. So Monday I went to a long time friends HVAC shop and asked if I could borrow a tubing bender. Harry (the owner) said let me show you a great money saver to me on custom installations. He loaned me a cross-bow hand ratchet bender. It's so much more smaller and versatile than the old style long handle type that is one size specific.

 

[b7labelle]

Damn, Look at those curves.

 

[Climatecreator]

The right tool is always nice.

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[LXCam]

I own that tool and have used it a few times. What a POS but for minor bends on 3/4 tubing like that it does work. When I bought it I debated hard between that hundred bucks verses another couple hundy more for a mandrel type, wish I had just spent the coin. But it got it done so good for you.

 

[454ragtop]

With large radius sweeping bends like that, I wonder if annealing the tubing and bending it around a large pipe or welding gas tank would work? Never tried it, just curious. I have 2 handled benders up to about 5/8" I think, haven't needed to bend larger yet.

 

[Climatecreator]

Spring benders also work well on soft tubing if your hands are strong enough.

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[Art Butler]

The best thing about it was, the bender was free to use.