Bender hook digging in to pipe

[Mgrant]

Thanks slightly filed the hook with a round file and made it a bit better. But I tried a bend with the hook from my old bender and it is still making a slight mark. So like you say it must be dragging some how. Strange how a strip of insulation tape on the hook stops it. Are hilmors now not the same as they were say 5 years ago then?

 

[Best]

Thanks slightly filed the hook with a round file and made it a bit better. But I tried a bend with the hook from my old bender and it is still making a slight mark. So like you say it must be dragging some how. Strange how a strip of insulation tape on the hook stops it. Are hilmors now not the same as they were say 5 years ago then?

No, apparently Hilmor moved production of their benders to the far east and therefore Himor might look the same, but machining maybe not the same it appears.
But the original British Hilmor factory still makes same quality benders as they used to and spares but now under the name of Benditnow

 

[Best]

http://www.benditnow.co.uk/

 

[Mgrant]

I just make sure that the tube is contacting the hook all the way along its length, the only time I cant get it to not dink the tubing is when im having to bend with the hook right on the very end of the tube itself so I just avoid doing that if I can

What bender do you use?

 

[Mgrant]

May look in to getting one from bend it now. If I manage to stay off the beer for a weekend

 

[Mgrant]

Any one use hilmors that are made in the far east and not had problems?

 

[Mgrant]

It does pull a perfect bend with a piece of tape on the hook, guess this stops it bending in. Any one had this before? I think it is because the hook won't sit square on the pipe. Though I can't find a way of making it sit square.

 

[Best]

The hook will need freedom of movement so that it pulls into position square with the pipe.
Maybe something could be slightly altered on the hook arm by filing it a tad to allow extra movement?

 

[Mgrant]

Thanks, the opening of the hook arm looks too narrow were it connects to the bender to allow it to sit back on the pipe square. Not sure of a way to fix this

 

[Best]

You will need to put a piece of copper into position in the bender and sit and study it to see how it is faulty.
Maybe a side on photo of that set up would help for anyone here to offer modification ideas?

 

[Mgrant]

 

[Mgrant]

Thats the problem the hook not setting flat so digs in when I pull a bend. Unless I put tape on the hook. Any ideas of how to improve or fix?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

you sure you hook is not damaged as it looks way different to mine (looks like a hook)

 

[Best]

It looks just as you had described. One thing I notice is the hook is too high, if you know what I mean? If the pipe was to be positioned parallel with the hook, the pipe would actually be lower.
I have a spare new Hilmor bender that looks identical, still in box, that was given to me. Not sure if is the older British built or newer foreign bender, but I will examine it and get back to you.

 

[Mgrant]

you sure you hook is not damaged as it looks way different to mine (looks like a hook)

does the hook sit flat on yours?