Finding That Perfect Hydraulic Bender
Posted on: 8 November 2022
A hydraulic bender allows you to bend pipes of different metals into curves and bends without having to cut out parts and solder in pre-curved additions. Benders come in all sizes, with many smaller ones available in portable, hand-held sizes for convenience. There are so many benders that finding one you want can actually be a little confusing. Determine the features you need and then the optional features you'd like, and that will help you find the bender that works for you.
How Many Tries Are Needed to Bend Pipe 180 Degrees?
Pipe bending usually needs a few minutes and a few tries to bend a pipe 180 degrees. But some newer models only need one try or pass (depending on how the pipe is situated in the bender) to make such a substantial bend. The advantage there is time; if you have to have a lot of these bends, you'll want something that works fast and that doesn't require a lot of physical effort on your part. But such a huge bend risks weakening the pipe if not done carefully. You may prefer a bender that makes more gradual adjustments, allowing you to monitor the state of the pipe metal as it reaches a 180-degree curve.
Is the Bender Made of Plastic or Metal?
Plastic breaks; metal bends. No matter what material the bender is made of, especially the part that holds the pipe as it's being bent, there will be some risk of the material becoming damaged or deformed. Thicker, stronger metal is less likely to bend or break, so if you can find a bender made with that thicker metal, that may be a great choice as it will last longer. But it will also be heavier unless you can find one made with aluminum. Luckily, a number of brands now use aluminum for the bending part of the tool, so that shouldn't be hard to find.
Does It Have a Reverse Bender Attachment?
A reverse bender allows you to bend pipes that are stuck in spaces where a regular bender wouldn't fit. Instead of bending the pipe so the ends gradually face you and the handle of the bender, these benders attach so that the pipe bends away from you. All you need is space right at the point you need to bend the pipe. These save a lot of time and effort, and because you don't have to cut open the pipe you need to bend, you make the process a lot safer by using the reverse bender attachment. Most benders either offer the feature built-in or have an attachment, but double-check, rather than assuming the model has it.
Hydraulic benders make construction and repairs much easier to do if they require curved or bent pipes and tubes. The number of options available will require you to narrow down what you need and want so that you have an easier time finding the right model.
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