SWAGELOK Tube Benders

[BaitMaster]

For the discerning man of taste, class and distinction, this is a set of tube benders that doesn’t suck.

If Imperial are the double wide trailer of the tube bending community, these are the mansions on palatial estate.

Real high quality machined or forged steel components with rollers, not cast out of old bike rims and Christmas ornaments like imperials.

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I’m only posting these because @JustaDB posts the trash ones. I might as well post something nice.

 

[Dan Dubeau]

If that much money ever comes out of MY wallet for a set of hand benders, somebody please come check on me, I've probably been taken over by a parasite or something.

 

[BaitMaster]

If that much money ever comes out of MY wallet for a set of hand benders, somebody please come check on me, I've probably been taken over by a parasite or something.

He is asking too much money. The half inch ones are worth about 300 ish used. The smaller ones marginally less.

I will say though, don’t knock them till you try them. They really are the best.

 

[YYCHM]

Cochrane, AB - $1,300

 

[whydontu]

Perspective. Having used these Swagelok benders a dozen times every work day for the last 25 years, a bender that doesn’t flatten the tubing or slip and bugger up the bend spacing is probably worth whatever the vendor or Swagelok wants to charge. Let’s say we scrap $1 of tubing every time the cheap bender slips. Bend a dozen times a day times five days a week times fifty-two weeks times twenty-five years.

 

[Martin w]

Another American company that was making money here in Canada. Wasn't enough for shareholders, so they closed up shop. I did lots of millwork in the offices there back in the 90's, you could eat off the floor in the shop. dozens of lathes and machines as clean as they could get. They made great fittings... It's a U- Haul rental and storage now...

 

[Stuart Samuel]

I’ll bet the Swagelok’s are great, that’s a good design.

Not as fancy, but I picked these up for $22 at an auction a few years ago.

 

[Stuart Samuel]

So, curiosity set in, and having spotted a pair of 1/2” Swageloks locally, it was on my mind. Noticed the price dropped $100, to $160, and sent a message.



Picked up Wednesday evening.

Minor gripe: I know Facebook Marketplace can be frustrating/terrible for sellers, but…

Arranged to meet at 7 pm the same day. Seller just gave me an intersection, with mall parking lots at all corners.

Arrived five minutes early. Sent a message ‘Hi, I’m here. Where should I meet you?’

Reply: ‘I wish you had given me a heads up, I’m half an hour away. Can you wait?’

Forty five minutes later…


The bender is great, though I’d hate to lug it around all day. Those handles are solid bar!

 

[BaitMaster]

They are not light, or cheaply made….. not good to take on an ultralight hike that’s for sure.

Try bending with it.

The amount of force required for half inch, especially if you do 0.049 or 0.065 wall tubing, is drastically lower because of the rollers….

No marring/scratching or crushing either…..

I’ve broken I don’t know how many sets of imperial/rigid benders….

Swagelok benders last a lifetime.

 

[Stuart Samuel]

They are not light, or cheaply made….. not good to take on an ultralight hike that’s for sure.

Try bending with it.

The amount of force required for half inch, especially if you do 0.049 or 0.065 wall tubing, is drastically lower because of the rollers….

No marring/scratching or crushing either…..

I’ve broken I don’t know how many sets of imperial/rigid benders….

Swagelok benders last a lifetime.

As purchased the rollers were totally seized with rust. Pressed the pins out, disassembled the rest of the mechanism, degreased everything, gave the rusty parts a quick dip in evaporust, and cleaned the rollers up with some fine scotchbrite on the lathe.

Very happy with it, and I agree about the bending force required.