Pipe Bending Accessories

About Pipe Bending Accessories

Pipe bending accessories are essential supplementary components designed to work alongside manual pipe benders, enabling tradespeople to achieve precise, professional bends in copper, aluminium, and light-duty steel pipes. These accessories include formers, guides, replacement parts, and specialised bending tools that expand the capabilities of standard pipe bending equipment. Whether you're working with 15mm copper pipe for central heating installations or creating custom brake pipe configurations for automotive work, the right accessories ensure clean, kink-free bends every time.

The selection at Tooled-Up.com features pipe bending accessories from trusted manufacturers including Faithfull, Dickie Dyer, Hilmor, Monument, and Sealey. These accessories range from aluminium formers that determine bend radius to replacement guides that maintain accuracy over time. Many accessories are designed for compatibility across multiple pipe bender models, making them valuable additions to any professional toolkit. Brake pipe bending tools represent a specialised subset of this category, offering precision control for automotive applications where exact angles and tight radius bends are critical.

Quality pipe bending accessories extend the lifespan of your primary bending tools whilst improving versatility. Swapping between different formers allows a single pipe bender to handle multiple pipe diameters, whilst spare guides ensure continuous productivity when original components wear out. For plumbers, heating engineers, and automotive technicians, investing in the appropriate accessories transforms a basic pipe bender into a comprehensive pipe fabrication system.

Jargon Buster

• Former: An aluminium or steel component that fits into a pipe bender to determine the internal radius of the bend. Different formers accommodate different pipe diameters, typically ranging from 6mm to 22mm.
• Guide: A curved channel or groove component that supports the pipe during bending and prevents collapse or deformation. Guides are often material-specific and must match the pipe diameter being worked.
• Bend Radius: The measurement from the centre point of a bend's arc to the inner edge of the pipe. A tighter radius creates a sharper bend, whilst a larger radius produces a gentler curve.
• OD (Outside Diameter): The external measurement across a pipe, as opposed to internal diameter. Pipe bending accessories are typically specified by the OD they accommodate.
• Kinking: The unwanted collapse or deformation of pipe walls during bending, which restricts flow and weakens structural integrity. Quality formers and guides prevent kinking.
• Brake Pipe: Small-diameter steel or copper-nickel tubing used in automotive hydraulic braking systems, requiring specialised bending tools for precise 90-degree and complex angle bends.

Who Uses Pipe Bending Accessories?

• Plumbers: For bending copper pipe in central heating systems, hot and cold water installations, and bathroom fittings
• Gas Engineers: Creating precise bends in copper pipe for gas supply lines whilst maintaining structural integrity and safety standards
• Heating Engineers: Installing radiator pipework, underfloor heating manifolds, and boiler connections requiring accurate bends
• Automotive Technicians: Fabricating brake pipes, fuel lines, and hydraulic tubing for vehicle repairs and restorations
• Refrigeration Engineers: Working with copper and aluminium tubing for air conditioning and refrigeration installations
• Maintenance Engineers: Carrying out repairs and modifications to existing pipework in commercial and industrial settings
• DIY Enthusiasts: Tackling home plumbing projects, garden tap installations, and custom pipe fabrication

How to Choose the Right Pipe Bending Accessories

Compatibility with Your Existing Bender: Check that accessories match your pipe bender model. Many formers and guides are designed as universal replacements compatible with multiple manufacturers, whilst others are brand-specific. Verify diameter specifications and mounting configurations before purchasing.

Pipe Material and Diameter: Different materials require appropriate guide designs. Copper pipe accessories generally work with aluminium and light-duty steel, but brake pipe tools use hardened materials for working with tougher automotive tubing. Ensure formers and guides match your typical working diameters, whether that's 15mm and 22mm for domestic plumbing or 3/16" and 1/4" for brake pipes.

Build Quality and Durability: Professional-grade accessories from Hilmor, Monument, and Faithfull feature polished aluminium construction that resists wear and provides smooth bending action. Tooled-Up stocks accessories designed for trade use, offering longevity under demanding site conditions.

Application-Specific Requirements: Automotive work demands different accessories than plumbing installations. Brake pipe bending tools offer precision for tight-space work and multiple angle capabilities, whilst standard formers prioritise larger diameters and consistent radius bends for heating systems.

Replacement Part Availability: Consider accessories from manufacturers with comprehensive replacement part programmes. Having access to spare guides and formers minimises downtime when components wear or become damaged during intensive use.

Popular Accessories

• Pipe Benders: Manual lever-type and hydraulic pipe benders that work with the formers and guides in this category
• Pipe Cutters: Rotary cutters and slicing tools for preparing clean, square pipe ends before bending
• Deburring Tools: Essential for removing internal and external burrs after cutting, preventing flow restriction
• Pipe Bending Springs: Internal support springs for free-hand bending of smaller diameter pipes without specialised equipment
• Tube Cleaning Brushes: For preparing pipe ends before soldering or compression fitting installation
• Flaring Tools: Creating flared ends on copper and brake pipe for secure mechanical connections
• Pipe Grips and Vices: Securing pipework safely during bending and fabrication operations

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same formers for copper, aluminium, and steel pipe?

Most aluminium formers designed for copper pipe will also work with aluminium tubing and light-duty steel pipe of the same diameter. However, steel requires more force to bend and may cause accelerated wear on accessories. Always check manufacturer specifications, and consider dedicated formers for frequent steel pipe work.

How do I know when to replace a pipe bender guide?

Replace guides when you notice visible wear grooves, rough surfaces, or when pipes begin to show marking or slight kinking during bending. Regular inspection after intensive use helps maintain bend quality. Professional tradespeople often keep spare guides on hand to avoid delays.

What bend radius should I use for different applications?

For domestic plumbing and heating work, a radius 3-4 times the pipe diameter typically provides good flow characteristics whilst maintaining structural integrity. Tighter radii may be necessary in confined spaces but risk restricting flow. Brake pipe work often requires specific angles rather than radius considerations, making dedicated brake pipe tools essential.

Are expensive branded accessories worth the investment over budget alternatives?

For professional tradespeople, quality accessories from established brands like Hilmor and Monument offer superior durability, precision machining, and consistent results that justify the investment. They produce cleaner bends with less effort and last significantly longer under daily use. Budget accessories may suit occasional DIY applications but often wear quickly under trade conditions.

Can I bend microbore pipe with standard pipe bending accessories?

Microbore pipe (typically 6mm, 8mm, or 10mm) requires appropriately sized formers and guides. Some combination pipe benders include microbore accessories, but many standard 15mm and 22mm tools won't accommodate these smaller diameters. Check specifications carefully or consider dedicated microbore bending tools for regular work with these sizes.