pipe bender (scaffolding size, and under)

[sarabande]

Does anyone have experience of the Clarkes 12t hydraulic bender

e.g.

12 tonne Hydraulic Pipe Bender Tube Bender 5 dies/6 dies optional New Promotion | eBay

or should I be looking at something beefier such as the Tubela 32 ?

Tubela Model 32 Hand Tube Bender from Tubela - TUBELA


I am back on the domestic and boat task list for safety hand rails and a new stern gantry.

 

[DownWest]

The Clark ones are referred to as 'kinkers' as that is what they do to thin walled tube. By far the better bet is the Tubela, but (a big one!) is the cost of the dies. One set needed for each diameter.
I adapted a tough DIY version of this: Sealey PBF04 Metal Bender Floor Mounting
and turned the dies from ally scrap for 20 & 25 mm. Produces good enough curves in 1.5mm walled SS tube. But it would probably struggle with 30mm tube.

For more benders look at Stakesy's site.

Depending on quantity, I would buy in curves and weld them, unless it justified buying the dies for larger sizes, esp for handrails.

Just looked at the Tubela site... 25mm set of dies. £343.99

 

[Martin_J]

I often wondered why with those benders, the tube handle was pulled horizontally.

The way they affix the Bendarc/Crownarc system vertically to a wall makes it look easier to produce a controlled bend.

BendARC / CrownARC Systems - BENDARC

Although it's US kit, it is sold by Bainbridge in the UK. I sometimes wondered about getting a group together at the marina to buy Bendarc and Crownarc.. Part of what they sell is the calculating software so you know how wide apart to make the initial bends before putting in the crown bend that brings the leg ends closer together. Looks like they do up to 32mm tube with their dies.