SilverlinePipe Bender Guide 15mm (MS124/15)

Good product at affordable price

If, like me, you regularly misplace items ready for when you need them, it is great to see a value item like this. It was, as mentioned, great value for money, arrived quickly and definitely works as I've actually used it, can recommend this as a replacement for your carefully hidden inserts.

I used this for a really tricky job putting two s-bends in existing pipes to fit a towel rail. I used a spring as well as the guide bar to ensure the pipe didn't kink so can't comment on the guide capability alone.The product is much bigger than I expected. This tool could be described as "industrial". I'm sure it would bend iron bars. It is quite heavy and clunky though and not well suited to working on pipes in situ. (Same could be said of any equivalent tool). The product is well made for the money though but the pipe holder device (at the bottom of the picture) is clunky and could be designed better. I had to push this tool onto the pipe and down rather than attach directly. Again when bending pipes not in situ this wouldn't be an issue. One bonus was that popping the rubber caps off the bars allows you to insert a 15mm pipe and use the additional torque to bend pipes. (You need a spring insert and care around the pivot point but it really worked a treat).Haven't used the 22mm part but expect it to perform as well as the 15mm part.

I've seen and been aware of this type of pipe bending machine for years, but they've always been quite pricey.The Silverline one is pretty cheap, amazon seem to be quite a bit cheaper then elsewhere for it to, so I thought since I had a bigger plumbing job to do that I'd buy one.So far I've used this on 15mm plain copper and chromed pipes and to a lesser degree 22mm with really good results, though the 22mm really takes a bit of force to bend.Just running copper pipes under the floor and creating bends instead of using soldered in corners has minimised the potential for failed joints, gives a smoother and quieter path for the water and is actually quicker.I don't think I'd have been able to do anywhere near such a good job forming curves in the lengths of chromed pipe using a pipe spring, and seeing as one length of this pipe costs almost as much as the tool........!Overall the pipe bending tool seems very well made, under normal use I can't see it failing, but Silverline stuff has a lifetime warranty anyway. The pipe guides it comes with can be replaced if worn or lost.A couple of other reviews I read said it was very stiff to use, I've not found that.Negative points......1.) If I was doing a lot of 22mm pipe I might get a version with longer arms to get more leverage, or grow bigger muscles!2.) The black plastic end caps on the handles move a bit when held as pipes are bent.

I had a fairly simple job to do where I could turn off the water supply to the target indefinitely, so thought it would be an ideal opportunity to try my hand at plumbing. The thought was that I could buy the tools and materials and end up paying what I'd pay a professional plumber or perhaps less.the work involved replacing a flexible hose that simply wasn't man enough for the job, the trouble is I needed to offset a fairly short section of copper pipe (about 10 inches with a 2 inch offset). By offset I mean I wanted the pipe in the same direction it started but with one end 2 inches off from the other, which required a right hand bend followed by a matching left hand bend.So I bought this bender, plus a pipe cutter and a length of copper pipe. To be honest it took me about 3 attempts to get it right, but get it right I did and was able to complete the task required. The secret was to make sure the bends weren't too tight and with enough space to keep them a reasonable distance apart.It does give you a bit of arm exercise to bend the pipe but nothing too onerous, and I'm pleased that I was able to do the job and of course still have the tools in case I ever need them again. This bender was relatively cheap and most certainly did the job.

For the occasional DIY plumbing job or the replacement of a kitchen or bathroom there will often be the requirement to bend a bit of pipe. For years I managed without this tool. It's possible to do a job another way or use more connections than optimal or buy some flexible connection. Modern plastic piping is also very flexible, but often a bent piece of pipe is really the only way. This tool allowed me to change a radiator where the new radiator was significantly larger than the original. It bends half inch /15mm pipes very quickly and easily. I did not need the larger 22mm facility but I assume the difference will be a matter of more strength required to do the bending.The tool is well made and works well if a little stiff at first. Tolerances are tights at first and some of the paint will rub off in use.The ability to bend a couple of pipes saved a multiple of its cost compared to the cost of getting a plumber in. As a consequence it will not matter if I never use it again or if it were to break on the third or forth use. However, I do think it would actually take quite a bit of use and abuse and probably last a non professional years and several new bathrooms.There is Also a lifetime warranty so it's all good. Recommended.