recommended pipe benders

[Apprentice Plumber]

I'd like to buy a good quality pipebender. I've heard that Hilmoor and Record are good - anybody know of other makes that are as good? Any recommended suppliers who sell at a competitive price? Thanks

[riccip]

I've got a hand-held Record bender that works great, even on

22mm. But a friend bought a cheapie that I have to say works just as well. Unless you are setting up as a pro you might wanna look at the cheaper ones.

riccip

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Dunno, but my Record has been hard used and stood up to it.

They're hardly rocket science so just get one which looks substantial.

[Kalico]

Are Draper any good? They've certainly been around for years.

[Jim Gregory]

If you have only got a medium amount of bending to be done, try hiring this specialist tool. I did. Can't remember the make but it handled both 15 and 22mm. Also, don't forget you get a week's use for the price of 5 days.

[Rob Morley]

They were always at the bottom end of the quality scale - I'm not sure if they've got slightly better with time, or if it's just that some of the incredibly nasty imports we see nowadays have moved the bottom of the scale downwards.

[Kalico]

Good point you make there.

I recall that Draper where at the lower end of the scale but then we started getting the really nasty Chinese imports. No doubt that is where they all get made these days.

Ever heard of Marksman tools? Any good?

[Chris Bacon]

It is where many things are made. If Draper want to import s**te, that'e their business - others import extremely good stuff from China.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Problem with Draper is they source from all over, so some of their stuff is ok and some tat. They seem to want a big product range over quality control.

[daddyfreddy]

Draper just badge stuff up now. Why pay a premium for their name on it when you can buy the same for less or better quality.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

One pays a premium for the Draper name? It always seems the cheapest in the shop...

[daddyfreddy]

Relatively speaking, I don't mean it's a high quality brand and it depends where you shop. You can buy unheard of brands with the same quality for less money, or in my case (being a happy shopper!) even better quality for less.