10 best pipe benders
Anyone who has ever tried to bend a pipe without a special tool knows how difficult and energy-consuming the process is. If a metal bar easily takes on the most intricate shapes, then the pipe constantly strives to break or flatten. With a profile pipe, things are even more complicated. It has right angles and edges, which bear the main load during bending.
So what to do? The answer is simple - there is a special tool called a pipe bender. It easily bends the pipe at any angle up to 180 degrees. Conventionally, pipe benders can be divided into three categories:
- Mechanical or manual. These are the simplest designs, in which you set the bending angle yourself, after which you roll the pipe through the rollers, giving it the desired shape. It is quite difficult to work with such a tool, and it does not differ in accuracy. But it is cheaper and does not take up much space.
- Hydraulic. Here the main effort is taken by the instrument. Its hydraulic drive pushes the pipe and gives it the desired bend. You just have to control the compression process. Such a pipe bender is more expensive than a mechanical one, but it is much easier to work with it.
- And the best tool in terms of convenience and reliability is electric. Here all you need to do is turn on and off the drive that presses on the hydraulics or gearbox. This is the most expensive option, and it makes no sense to buy it for household use. But he is able to bend a pipe of almost any diameter and configuration.
Which of these tools is better or worse is hard to say. It all depends on what goals you set for him. For infrequent use, a manual pipe bender is fine, especially if you plan to bend a small diameter pipe. A hydraulic or electric tool works better with a profile pipe. In addition, it is capable of working on an industrial scale, and you do not have to put in significant effort in the process. And if you have already decided on the choice, but do not know which brand to take, our rating will help you, in which we have selected the best options in three categories at once.
The best mechanical type pipe benders
Manual pipe benders are available with or without a bed. The first option requires space and is more expensive. But he is able to work with a large diameter and is much easier to control. Hand tools are more difficult to handle but also cheaper. The profile pipe also lends itself to bending in them, but there are always restrictions on the size of the section. The bottom line is that using purely manual force, you simply cannot push through a thick-walled pipe. Also, manual tube benders have a limitation on the maximum bending angle. They will not be able to bend the material 180 degrees with their help. Typically, the maximum rotation is 90 degrees and this should be considered when purchasing.
4 Blacksmith MTB10-40
And this is by far the best hand-held pipe bender we have found. There are a lot of advantages here. And let's start with convenience. Despite the fact that it does not have hydraulic and electric drives, it is as simple and convenient to work with it. You wind the pipe between three rollers, two of which are from the bottom, and press it down with the upper roller. Then you just need to turn the handle, and the pipe will begin to bend without breaking or flattening. To increase the angle, you need to press harder on the top roller, and that's it.
The forces during the pipe run are minimal, as well as the pressure by the roller. Everything is extremely simple and understandable, but there is one important drawback, which was the reason for placing this tool in such a place in the rating. It is very difficult to control the bending angle here. You don't know how much the pipe will bend, as it depends on many factors, including wall thickness as well as diameter.Some experience is required to work with this pipe bender, which, by the way, comes pretty quickly.
3 Yato
If you are a do-it-yourselfer, and are faced with the need to bend a small tube, but are not ready to spend money on an expensive tool for the sake of one-time or rare use, then this option is especially for you. This is a handheld pipe bender at the most attractive price on the market. Only 700 rubles, and this is not a joke. It's just that it is not designed to work with a large diameter and the maximum of its capabilities is a thin pipe of 20 millimeters. Of course, you can't use such a tool in factories, but for a home it is just right.
There is also a measuring scale, and this is one of the main advantages of this pipe bender. With it, you can bend the pipe at the angle you need, and you do not have to constantly measure and fit. Just sets the desired bend angle, and start working. The clamp will stop the tool itself at the right moment, and you will get the required angle. Simply put, this is an indispensable tool for a home craftsman, which, moreover, does not take up much space and does not require stationary placement.
2 STALEX MPB-25S
If the maximum diameter of the pipe that you plan to bend does not exceed 40 millimeters, and the required bending angle is 90 degrees, then this tool is especially for you. It is the simplest and at the same time reliable pipe bender without a stationary bed. It can be used both by weight, if you bend a small diameter pipe, and with attachment to a workbench or any other surface. There are fixing bolts in the base of the tool, and it is easy to install and remove after work.
In addition, the price will delight buyers. It is one of the most inexpensive tools in its class. Yes, there are models that are cheaper, but with such parameters you are unlikely to find anything. It should be understood that this is a semi-professional tool, and it can be loaded to the fullest without fear of failure. The frame and all elements are made of durable, thick-walled steel, and the rollers will not wear out over time, even with the most intensive use.
1 BLACKSMITH MB32-25
This German company has been on the tool market for a long time, and has established itself as a reliable and proven manufacturer. Their products are always of high quality, durability and versatility. For example, this pipe bender is able to work with both a profile pipe and a conventional one. At the same time, the diameter ranges from 10 to 70 millimeters. All you need to do is change the roller and adjust the bend angle. By the way, the angle here is also very large and reaches 140 degrees.
Now about the shortcomings, and they are here too. More precisely, one - a high price. This is the most expensive manual pipe bender, and even though it can be safely called the best, not everyone can buy such a tool. Yes, by and large, in everyday life he is not needed. It is rather a semi-professional tool. It is perfect for garages or small metal fabrication shops. If you install it in a regular garage, you will simply lose all the space. No, the pipe bender itself is small, but in order to bring the pipe into it, free space is required.
The best pipe benders with hydraulics
In terms of work, hydraulic pipe benders are much simpler. Here you do not have to press the pipe yourself and pull it through the rollers with your own hands. Light pressure with one hand using fluid pressure bends the pipe at any angle. The main thing is not to overdo it and not break it. This is especially true of a profile pipe, which requires careful attitude to itself and breaks easily if the pressure on its walls is at least slightly higher than the norm.
3 Voll V-Bend
The Belarusian company Voll produces pipe benders in various configurations. This model is hydraulic and is designed for bending pipes from 20 to 70 millimeters. A roller made of durable, alloy steel is used as a guide. It has a set angle, and does not allow the pipe to bend more than normal.The pipe is pressured by a high power hydraulic drive. Its maximum pressure is 12 tons, which is a lot, given the relatively small size of the machine and the absence of a stationary installation.
That is, you can install the machine, but you have to screw it to a table or workbench. This is quite simple to do, just fix it with two bolts. Strong fixation is not needed here, as the powerful hydraulic drive easily bends the pipe and does not require you to use physical force. The price will also delight buyers. Despite the high power and the best performance, the pipe bender is relatively cheap, and this is one of its main advantages.
2 Stalex MHPB-1A HHW-1A
At its core, the pipe bender is a very simple tool, and you can make it yourself. For example, this machine looks very handicraft, although it was produced in the factory. There are both advantages and disadvantages here. Let's start with the first: the price. This is the cheapest pipe bender with hydraulics, and if you take a close look at its design, you will understand why this is so. The tool is made in the form of a small bed, in which a conventional car jack is installed. It is he who bends the pipe, laying it on a special roller that already has the required angle of inclination. All you need to do is inflate the jack until the pipe is completely flat on the base.
By the way, the profile pipe will not bend here. Firstly, there is no special roller for it, and secondly, this bending method will simply flatten the walls and break the structure. The tool also comes with a set of rollers made of high-strength alloy steel. At least, this is what the manufacturer indicates, and judging by the reviews, the steel is not so strong. That is, this machine is perfect for domestic use, but if you have even a small metalwork shop, it is better to choose a more powerful and more reliable model.
1 VIRAX 240233
The first thing that catches your eye when looking at this instrument is the price. It can really shock, but only until you look at the technical characteristics. Basically, it is a professional tool designed for frequent use and bending of the largest diameter pipes. The maximum size is 80 millimeters, which is really a lot. At the same time, you do not have to exert effort, since the pipe bender is equipped with the best hydraulics, with a maximum pressure of 15 tons.
The bend angle is also very large, but varies depending on the selected pipe diameter. For example, bending the maximum size, the angle that can be reached is only 90 degrees. On the other hand, pipes with a smaller diameter can be bent up to 180 degrees, that is, until they are completely looped. Of course, it makes no sense to purchase such a tool for domestic use. It has too high power and technical parameters. And it will not be easy to install it if you do not have an extensive workshop or an extra 30 square meters in the garage to freely lead the pipe into the machine and receive it from the back.
The best electric powered pipe benders
Electric pipe benders, as the name implies, bend material using an electric motor, but they can also be divided into several categories. In some, the principle of operation is similar to manual ones, that is, you set the bending angle yourself by pressing the upper roller, and the electric drive rolls the pipe. Others work through hydraulics. That is, everything is the same, but the motor presses on the jack, not the person. In any case, the work process is greatly simplified and, of course, accelerated.
3 Bison Expert 23522-H7
Before us is the best tool for household use. It is not suitable for production, since it has a too small diameter of the bent pipe, and there is not enough power. For example, with a copper or even steel tube with a diameter of 20 millimeters, the machine can handle it without difficulty, and this is its limit.
The main advantage here is convenience. All you need to do is insert the pipe into the tool and press the handle located on the handle.A built-in electric motor will tighten the tube and place it on a roller with a certain angle. The tool comes with several rollers for different diameters and bending angles. A very simple and at the same time necessary tool in the household. Moreover, at the most attractive price. Less than 10 thousand rubles. And this is the best price for a pipe bender on the market.
2 TOR HHW-G76
And this is a full-fledged machine capable of bending any material at any angle. The profile pipe is not a problem for him, and the maximum diameter is 80 millimeters. Of course, such a machine is not suitable for domestic needs, more precisely, there is no need for it, but it is simply irreplaceable for a metalwork shop, and it costs quite acceptable, since it was made in Russia, and not exported.
A two-kilowatt motor is installed on the machine, and the control can be brought out to both manual and foot drives, depending on the tasks and personal convenience. True, the electric drive does not press the pipe, that is, the pressure roller will have to be adjusted manually. But this is quite easy to do thanks to the worm drive. After the angle is set, you just have to press the pedal and roll the pipe through the rollers. Rolling back will further increase the bending angle. This rolling technology allows any pipe to be bent without kinking and flattening.
1 Virax Eurostem II
Before us is the best pipe bender in the most compact form factor. There is only one drawback here, and that is the price. Is the device really expensive, and is it worth spending that kind of money on it? The question is complex. On the one hand, the tool is very convenient, as it is operated with just one button, and it is easy to set the required bending angle on it. On the other hand, the maximum pipe diameter is only 30 millimeters, and the profile pipe does not lend itself to bending at all.
In fact, such a tool is ideal for domestic use. It will easily bend any small tube to the angle you need, and the machine itself does not require a stationary installation. But for everyday life, it is too expensive. As for the production, even a small one, the performance of the tool and its technical characteristics are too low. The diameter of the pipe is small, and the motor that drives the mechanism does not seem to be strong or durable. Although, this feeling may be wrong.
