Hello from accross the pond

[skoronesa]

I am sorry if there is an introductions area, I didn't see one, nor did the intro message I received mention one.

I am a plumber for a large plumbing and heating firm. I also do some heating work. I do almost all service work as well as all of the drain snaking calls.

At this point you're probably thinking, "Get the heck out of here you American.". I came here for one question which few if any American plumbers and answer.

Who makes the best lever bender? I see that all of the videos about bending copper pipe are made by you Brits. I have a draper 34212 lever bender which works well since I have fixed the inherent problems, but the movable arm is slightly bent towards the 1/2"/15mm side from bending larger pipe.

If it's a crap shoot I understand, you guys probably have more "brand names" not made in Asia than we do.

 

[helpsy]

Hi Skoronesa
I have a Rothenberger bender since I started out in 08. Lots of plumbers I know have a Hilmor.
Cheers

 

[king of pipes]

Here you go buddy with out doubt the best pipe benders in my opion welcome to the forum . cheers kop

 

[Last Plumber]

Hello Skoronesa.
Hilmor or Rothenberger are best in my opinion.

 

[Ric2013]

Another vote for Benditnow. Small firm, so you'll probably get more sense from them than the others if you explain what you are bending, as not sure how similar your pipes are to ours. Modern Hilmors are made in the far east, and not as good as the old ones.

 

[gmartine]

If it's a crap shoot I understand, you guys probably have more "brand names" not made in Asia than we do.

Unfortunately UK brand names like Hilmor are now also made in Asia with the same consequences. Benditnow as referenced earlier use original Hilmor tooling ( which is why "older plumbers" love them), I should know I wasted my money on three other benders to get around to buying one one.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Bend it now for me (old hilmor)

 

[plumbandplumber]

Who makes the best lever bender? I see that all of the videos about bending copper pipe are made by you Brits. I have a draper 34212 lever bender which works well since I have fixed the inherent problems, but the movable arm is slightly bent towards the 1/2"/15mm side from bending larger pipe.

If it's a crap shoot I understand, you guys probably have more "brand names" not made in Asia than we do.

Coincidently, I watch the videos of a plumber in Dartmouth, Mass on Youtube, and (no offence to UK plumbers) all I have to say is that his skill levels are way above what an average UK plumber would have. He does general plumbing, wells, gas, oil, heating, air conditioning, threaded iron pipe fitting. All of which he is licenced for, or he can't work in any of these fields.

But the one thing that surprised me is that in his 100+ videos, I have never seen him bend a pipe. All bends are soldered elbows.

Watch this guy's videos (link below). You will be surprised at what he turns his hand to, and he's a bit of a character. Even seasoned hands can learn a lot from him.

steven lavimoniere

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Coincidently, I watch the videos of a plumber in Dartmouth, Mass, and (no offence to UK plumbers) all I have to say is that his skill levels are way above what an average UK plumber would have. He does general plumbing, wells, gas, oil, heating, air conditioning, threaded iron pipe fitting. All of which he is licenced for, or he can't work in any of these fields.

But the one thing that surprised me is that in his 100+ videos, I have never seen him bend a pipe. All bends are soldered elbows.

Watch this guy's videos. You be amazed at what he turns his hand to, and he's a bit of a character. Even seasoned hands can learn a lot from him.

steven lavimoniere

Very good old chap one thing that gets me is he wipes his joint too soon after soldering which spreads the excess solder around the pipe / fitting which makes them look a lot worse

 

[plumbandplumber]

Very good old chap one thing that gets me is he wipes his joint too soon after soldering which spreads the excess solder around the pipe / fitting which makes them look a lot worse

Glad to see I'm not the only fan.

Yes, I have thought the same. Gives the pipe a silver coating. Would usually look better if he hadn't wiped it at all, but I think he's too much of a perfectionist to leave it as it is.

She's a leaker, mama!! NEXT LEVEL!!!!!!!!!!!