I love this channel i just started a hvac tradeschool the classes are overcrowded this is the only way i retain the information is by going back and re learning on this channel what we skim over in class ...just want to say thank you !
Great review. Have had mine for 2-3 years now. Has definitely extended my working life.......no more spring . Swaging tool is fantastic!! 1/4" - 5/16" combo nut driver saves a lot of running to the truck.
Yeah that's real cool. I'm convinced. I'm going with everything accept the flare tool for mini splits anyway. Yellow jacket has a hand tool I use for flaring that's meant for r 410a pressure so the stop is where you stop and its compact and easy to use in a pinch.
I knew I was onto something when my research led me to that flaring tool and others by them a year or so ago. Nice being able to now see them in action and glad I waited before buying. Nice tools Ralph !! Take care, Brett
Great demo on the hilmor Ralph. Got to talk to a sales rep from hilmor at Johnstone last week and she gave me a full review of there products I thought they were great.saving my money to buy there products. I especially like there expander sweet. She told me the company was the same co as Lennox the saw blade co. Thanks for your input on the equipment .!!!!!
The Hilmor fairing tool looks like a copy of my 30yr old Ridgids, they have served me well. As for tubing benders the Hilmor looks interesting, mine are old school separate benders except for the 3 smallest.
Hey Joseph, I'm pretty much done with them now as well. I sold my expander to a friend and the bender is pretty much toast. The Hilmor is serving me well now so we will see if it last. So far so good.
Nothing but the best man! I was talking with Fritz and between his and your reviews I am a Hilmor man al the way! I bought their bender just like you have and their flare/swage combo tool plus I will be getting their compact swedge tool also. They really make a good product and I have yet to see a single bad review. Keep up the good work man! Adam
Hey Adam, hilmor makes some great stuff as far as the benders, swaggers, and flaring tools go. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Their other tools are lacking though. The gauges and hoses suck though.
Yeah I am sticking with YJ for that stuff. Someone on Ebay is offering valved hoses for like 4 bucks but I don't trust them unless I know or have seen people use them. I am going to make a video soon of all my new tools I just got. You will love too see it all! It's all brand new brand name goodies ready to serve me and my future customers for years to come hopefully!
I couldnt agree more with you... I am currently enrolled in hvac school and have been looking at tools comparing etc... Hilmor seems to have everything I need from technology to up to date tools like the swedger and bendern and lets not forget their badass manifold set either! Yep, hilmor will be the official tool for ICON Heating and Air! Nice comparison bro!
Got the benders a few weeks go; really nice, used them on a few installs so far. It makes doing the 3/4 and 7/8" lines a lot easier and a lot more professional looking. The build quality seems to be a 'get what you pay for' kinda deal, they should last a long time.
Very nice video. Keep em comming. One point I must makee is that comparing a mechanical tube expander with an hydraulic tube expander is like comparing a propeller airplane with a jet. Same thought goes for the flaring tool. The hidden truth is that about all of the name brands tools out there OEM most of their products to factories in China and a little to US and Germany. So research your tools and buy the one with the best price and service, in the end the tools are comming from the same factory.
Ralph thank you for the great reviews. I'm not really familiar with hilmore products.. can you tell me where they are manufactured. Also look into the CPS 410A flaring tool. It looks similar to the hilmore and it's comes in a nice case and a Racheting drive. What's cool about it you cannot over flare it's gives you a perfect flare.
The Hilmore is exactly as my Ridged flare tool from 1970's, I can't see any differences except the handle shape, so you may save some money looking into the Ridged. A wonder flaring tool which makes perfect flares.
Ill agree about Hilmor. One company I worked for had them. And man I loved using them every chance I got. And flares are pretty dang critical on vrv/vrf systems.
Hey Martin, I was taught to use a dime as a gauge off the block on the old type of flaring blocks, But Hilmor has made it easy to gauge and not to over flare. I've made a lot of flares since I've had it and it hasn't made a bad one yet.
Wish you would have showed the bender on 7/8". I'm an aircraft mechanic and I see no reason I can't get my new installed system ready to braze and evacuate but I'm a little nervous about 7/8 tubing (3.5 ton). I also don't have the nitrogen set up to braze so I think I'm better off paying someone to braze and evacuate the system for me. They charge an arm and a leg where I'm at just to come out. I'm trying to save what I can and get a good unit. It's getting frikin hot man! Great vids......I just don't have the tool set up to finish. Everything else is set up and ready
That's true about sending stuff back for warranty. I had a bad Victor oxygen regulator that popped my hose, first time I used it! It's nice not having to pay to fix it, but working without the tools you need is a huge pain in the ass.
I've got the 60278 YJ flaring tool, and it's done me right, even with the mini splits. But the issue I've had with the expander is I would press the handles together, and then have to do it once more or the fit would be too tight. With the hydraulic "No Name" brand I don't have that issue, but the right angle on the Hilmor is awesome! And aluminum mandrels vs. plastic is great! Wishing my pockets were a little deeper right now! When are you going to start wearing the Hilmor apparel? :-D
Had some hilmor benders years ago, were great till i bent the former as most of my pipe is hard drawn. Got Rems bender now but it would be too cumbersome for your type of work. The flare tool looks good but i'd need a box for it too. Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate them Ralph :-)
Hey Ralph I bought that yellow jacket crap bender also 2 years ago i think, wish there was reveiws back then.could have saved $250 Great comparison Video . German made products are notorious for quality,they still care about quality and worrkmanship
Bernard Sobbe not sure if they lowered quantity or what. I got mine bender and hydraulic expended 5 years ago and no problem. I'm working for new construction company, so for last few years service calls is mainly going back to fix our own screw ups. and that reverse bend adapter comes in very handy
Great video as always. I live in the Bahamas working in the hvac field. I know you demo new tools sometimes but can you provide the price you payed for them?
Nice tools Ralph Clearly better than Yellowjacket but the flare tool that I have I think is better than that one it's a rigid flare tool and it has a ratchet on the torque knob. I've had it for about 13 years and still going strong. Thanks for the demonstration keep them coming Ralph : )
How about telling us what all this Hilmor equipment cost, compared to the Yellow Jacket . Just by watching I can clearly see the Hilmor is a better machined tool. Also could you tell us where you purchased it, was it at the supply house? Thanks, Danny in Texas
Hilmor had some problems in the beginning with the bender and expander... They have since resolved their issues. They will also warranty the tool if it is a problem. I also have all three of these tools and am very happy !!
if the hilmor manifolds are like my Appion megaflows they have diaphragm valves and if that the case you can only tighten them to barely finger tight or they will get stuck. On mine, I have to remove the handles and use a wrench to free them up, this is normal, so barely shut them off and the same goes when you open them all the way.
Yep, I gave up on Yellow Jacket tools about 4 years ago. The point is you SHOULDN'T have to send their product back for warranty for the amount of money you pay for the tools. And I believe you have to pay for the shipping it to them, if Im not mistaken
i tried the Hilmor flaring block once (cause my boss had one given to him by the wholesaler for buying a bunch of 410A or something) and it was a nice tool, but i was hardly able to complete a 3/4" copper flare cause the handle is so friggin small. i grew up on a 200 acre beef farm, my forearms are not tiny. just curious about your experience with that. thanks, liking your videos.
Looks like the factory tried to flare too much, causing it to bump up at the top. And the 3/8 flare looks like it was flared off center. Can't believe the factory would send crap out like that. Nice video.
What you didn't mention that the lever type swager is 5 times faster than pumping up the hydraulic unit. I'll stick with my lever type because I find after a few uses its faster.
I’ve been seeing these tools being sold at Lennox parts house. They are very fairly priced I have been worried about quality until this video!! Biggest thing I saw was a 4 hose kit with 45 ends and ball valves for only 135 dollars.
T&N Services LLC. What about just the hose kit? Is it garbage as well? I’m sick of spending 245 dollars for hoses and ball valves! Az heat and sun destroy them.
Really nice video thank you, I was thinking of buying a yellow jacket swaging tool but I really like the hilmor. your video helped me make my mind up thanks. question can you make smaller tighter bends with the hilmor pipe bender ? I work on refrigerated trailers
Philip Tye there has never been a time where I have regretted buying these. I think you will enjoy them every time you use them. Let me know how you like them
The bender r is incredible, I have to get a better cutter and I have to get better at cleaning the burs from the newly cut end. My first couple of tries the end split
I hear ya on the case quality. The yellow jacket stuff always seems to come in a pretty cheesy case for the price you pay. Metal latches are nice. If I did lots of installs like you; I'd be sold on the tubing bender at least.
Hey Jim, when I bought the Hilmor I was pretty upset with YJ because of the benders. I have been watching videos on Hilmore and wanted to try them out, I really like them so far. I don't think they are made here though.
Great vid Ralph love the new toys! Although it should have come with a case platt tool cases probably has something that would work or even an army surplus store
Hi 4-05-15,1:00,greetings from Milwaukee Wisconsin, thanks for showing us,you make good videos, I appreciate,what the best tool for gauges,between, texto,or swan field piece,? thanks ,you people from down south are awesome!
Thanks for the video. Please give us an update after you had time to field test. I am interested in the expander. Not that impressed with the die for 3/8" on YJ set. makes too shallow of a swage for my liking.
LMAO, Ive had a Rothberger Swagger (German Made) for almost 20 years ! It Works like new. Hilmore looks smaller and easier to get in tight spots, it ratchets so i wonder how its gonna hold up ...Mine was over $400 wayyy back then. On wifes acct .. Regards , Billy
It Looks Like Yellow Jacket Makes a newer model Flaring tool that looks almost identical to the Hilmor. YJ part #60295 they call it their Eccentric Cone Flaring Tool, it has the same type bar and clutch, i dont see a height guage though, Where is the Hilmor made, all my YJ tools Say made in USA? also ridgid has an identical one also. Thanks, Great Vid!
The flare you are looking at is an orbital or eccentric flare which is what most (all that I know of) recommend. Yellow Jacket and Hilmor both make tools for this type of flare. I believe the Orbital/eccentric flare are backward compatible. www.yellowjacket.com/product/810 has a video that expain this. Also Hvac Talk hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?667221-Eccentric-Flaring-Tool.and Hilmor hilmor.com/products/orbital-flare .
Not so fast. Hilmor 5/16" valve core removal tool not so bueno. Slot in the remover stem has to narrow a groove to remove some valve cores on 410a systems. Really good when your trying to get cores out to vacuum. Since most local HVAC supply houses don't stock, I had to wait for this damn thing in the first place. Will now have to wait again, reorder different brand and hope it has a wider slot. Just cost me 4hrs trying to vacuum with cores in on a LG 4 ton multi.
Haven't bought the flaring spin set yet...but... I have the Swaging spin bits - works awesome on 3/8's copper with a 18v Milwaukee drill. I find myself still using couplings on 3/4" and 7/8" lines though...3/4" are a little loose and 7/8" is a pain.
Just rec new mastercool eccentric flaring tool from ebay for $68 free shipping with case, everything looks exactly the same except for the height thing, just set it flush with bar.
muniznick You don't set it straight with the bar or your flare would be undersized. That metal tab is there for a reason. I just grab a nickel and put it against the bar.
The lever action Yellow Jacket Swagger is much better for people with Arthritis and carpal tunnel.You can buy non branded lever action swagger and a pipe bender for less then $175.00 for both on EBAY. I bet the Hilmor Hydraulic swagger & tubing bender cost over $400.00 maybe. Yes Hilmor is nice but if a young HVAC tech who is strapped for CASH the non branded tools on EBAY cannot be beat.
Ya gotta start somewhere, but you also need to consider the cost of upgrading to better tools later as compared to just buying the better ones first. I've done both, and buying better and then working my a$$ off to pay them off asap always worked out best for me. Just my opinion. Best of luck to you which ever road you choose. You're eBay recommendation is spot on and great advice!!
Well the expander may be ok but the first generation gauges absolutely are horrible. They wouldn't bleed back to clear hoses. My bag has been replaced twice already.
Hey Philip Villaloboz your right about the reverse bender feature, I havent needed it, or I just made due with what I had. It's been a great tool so far
The yellow jacket has an reversing attachment so if you have a piece of copper coming out of the wall you can use the bender on that copper. look up hilmor reverse bender.
+Richard Hendrickson First thing that comes to mind for me 2 brazes = two chances for a leak. Not to mention over the life of the tool vs an using elbows = more cost for couplings, more gas, more silver and more time.
nobody caught the crack pipe pun? pretty funny. just looking at hilmor you can tell it's better designed. i'm still a ridgid guy and they haven't failed me yet. you pay for their quality but it'll work forever. once it does fail i may consider these.
Hilmor Bender is Crap, it may look good, but is all it is. Bends "square", drop it a couple of times it will break, bar with 4 dies gets in way, and every time I put together pinches my hand. Try to be to modern but sucks.
![Wiz Khalifa - Khalifa's Home [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wnrLCTe0Nz4/mqdefault.jpg)
I love this channel i just started a hvac tradeschool the classes are overcrowded this is the only way i retain the information is by going back and re learning on this channel what we skim over in class ...just want to say thank you !
Great review. Have had mine for 2-3 years now. Has definitely extended my working life.......no more spring . Swaging tool is fantastic!! 1/4" - 5/16" combo nut driver saves a lot of running to the truck.
Yeah that's real cool. I'm convinced. I'm going with everything accept the flare tool for mini splits anyway. Yellow jacket has a hand tool I use for flaring that's meant for r 410a pressure so the stop is where you stop and its compact and easy to use in a pinch.
I knew I was onto something when my research led me to that flaring tool and others by them a year or so ago. Nice being able to now see them in action and glad I waited before buying. Nice tools Ralph !! Take care, Brett
Great demo on the hilmor Ralph. Got to talk to a sales rep from hilmor at Johnstone last week and she gave me a full review of there products I thought they were great.saving my money to buy there products. I especially like there expander sweet. She told me the company was the same co as Lennox the saw blade co. Thanks for your input on the equipment .!!!!!
The Hilmor fairing tool looks like a copy of my 30yr old Ridgids, they have served me well. As for tubing benders the Hilmor looks interesting, mine are old school separate benders except for the 3 smallest.
Hey Joseph, I'm pretty much done with them now as well. I sold my expander to a friend and the bender is pretty much toast. The Hilmor is serving me well now so we will see if it last. So far so good.
Nothing but the best man! I was talking with Fritz and between his and your reviews I am a Hilmor man al the way! I bought their bender just like you have and their flare/swage combo tool plus I will be getting their compact swedge tool also. They really make a good product and I have yet to see a single bad review.
Keep up the good work man!
Adam
Hey Adam, hilmor makes some great stuff as far as the benders, swaggers, and flaring tools go. I wouldn't trade them for anything. Their other tools are lacking though. The gauges and hoses suck though.
Yeah I am sticking with YJ for that stuff. Someone on Ebay is offering valved hoses for like 4 bucks but I don't trust them unless I know or have seen people use them. I am going to make a video soon of all my new tools I just got. You will love too see it all! It's all brand new brand name goodies ready to serve me and my future customers for years to come hopefully!
4 Bucks I don't know if I would trust that stuff. I subscribed looking forward to seeing what goodies you got.
I couldnt agree more with you... I am currently enrolled in hvac school and have been looking at tools comparing etc... Hilmor seems to have everything I need from technology to up to date tools like the swedger and bendern and lets not forget their badass manifold set either! Yep, hilmor will be the official tool for ICON Heating and Air! Nice comparison bro!
I saw your video on the Hilmor flair tool did not come case. I bought the flair comb swain kit it Came in the plastic case. I enjoy your videos.
Got the benders a few weeks go; really nice, used them on a few installs so far.
It makes doing the 3/4 and 7/8" lines a lot easier and a lot more professional looking.
The build quality seems to be a 'get what you pay for' kinda deal, they should last a long time.
good review and pointers about the tools .i never seen that brand hilmor yet looks like good equipment
I'm getting that hilmor swagger tool next. Thanks for the video!!
Very nice video. Keep em comming. One point I must makee is that comparing a mechanical tube expander with an hydraulic tube expander is like comparing a propeller airplane with a jet. Same thought goes for the flaring tool. The hidden truth is that about all of the name brands tools out there OEM most of their products to factories in China and a little to US and Germany. So research your tools and buy the one with the best price and service, in the end the tools are comming from the same factory.
Ralph thank you for the great reviews. I'm not really familiar with hilmore products.. can you tell me where they are manufactured. Also look into the CPS 410A flaring tool. It looks similar to the hilmore and it's comes in a nice case and a Racheting drive. What's cool about it you cannot over flare it's gives you a perfect flare.
The Hilmore is exactly as my Ridged flare tool from 1970's, I can't see any differences except the handle shape, so you may save some money looking into the Ridged. A wonder flaring tool which makes perfect flares.
Ill agree about Hilmor. One company I worked for had them. And man I loved using them every chance I got. And flares are pretty dang critical on vrv/vrf systems.
Great information!!!!! I'm gonna buy all Hilmor Tools this week! Thanks for this review.
Ralph the expander and bender are very nice I have then for 3months and I love them great vide by the way
Hey Martin, I was taught to use a dime as a gauge off the block on the old type of flaring blocks, But Hilmor has made it easy to gauge and not to over flare. I've made a lot of flares since I've had it and it hasn't made a bad one yet.
No thinner than a dime and no thicker than a nickel
i got the flaring tool earlier this year because of this review and mine came with a case, copper cutter, and debarring tool
The best tool review I ever saw thanks man
I’ve been buying hilmor a lot lately, if it’s a tool I need I tend to get the hilmor now.
Wish you would have showed the bender on 7/8". I'm an aircraft mechanic and I see no reason I can't get my new installed system ready to braze and evacuate but I'm a little nervous about 7/8 tubing (3.5 ton). I also don't have the nitrogen set up to braze so I think I'm better off paying someone to braze and evacuate the system for me. They charge an arm and a leg where I'm at just to come out. I'm trying to save what I can and get a good unit. It's getting frikin hot man! Great vids......I just don't have the tool set up to finish. Everything else is set up and ready
That's true about sending stuff back for warranty. I had a bad Victor oxygen regulator that popped my hose, first time I used it! It's nice not having to pay to fix it, but working without the tools you need is a huge pain in the ass.
I've got the 60278 YJ flaring tool, and it's done me right, even with the mini splits. But the issue I've had with the expander is I would press the handles together, and then have to do it once more or the fit would be too tight. With the hydraulic "No Name" brand I don't have that issue, but the right angle on the Hilmor is awesome! And aluminum mandrels vs. plastic is great! Wishing my pockets were a little deeper right now! When are you going to start wearing the Hilmor apparel? :-D
Had some hilmor benders years ago, were great till i bent the former as most of my pipe is hard drawn. Got Rems bender now but it would be too cumbersome for your type of work.
The flare tool looks good but i'd need a box for it too.
Thanks for taking the time to demonstrate them Ralph :-)
Great job, "I'm telling you, from Experience". 17:45. LOL
thanks for these reviews. I was on the fence on buying these hilmore. looks like I'm getting then all...
Hey Ralph I bought that yellow jacket crap bender also 2 years ago i think, wish there was reveiws back then.could have saved $250 Great comparison Video . German made products are notorious for quality,they still care about quality and worrkmanship
Bernard Sobbe not sure if they lowered quantity or what. I got mine bender and hydraulic expended 5 years ago and no problem. I'm working for new construction company, so for last few years service calls is mainly going back to fix our own screw ups. and that reverse bend adapter comes in very handy
Great video as always. I live in the Bahamas working in the hvac field.
I know you demo new tools sometimes but can you provide the price you payed for them?
Nice tools Ralph Clearly better than Yellowjacket but the flare tool that I have I think is better than that one it's a rigid flare tool and it has a ratchet on the torque knob. I've had it for about 13 years and still going strong. Thanks for the demonstration keep them coming Ralph : )
How about telling us what all this Hilmor equipment cost, compared to the Yellow Jacket . Just by watching I can clearly see the Hilmor is a better machined tool. Also could you tell us where you purchased it, was it at the supply house?
Thanks, Danny in Texas
Hilmor had some problems in the beginning with the bender and expander... They have since resolved their issues. They will also warranty the tool if it is a problem. I also have all three of these tools and am very happy !!
Boy I wish I seen this before I just bought another Yellow Jacket bender a couple of weeks ago.
if the hilmor manifolds are like my Appion megaflows they have diaphragm valves and if that the case you can only tighten them to barely finger tight or they will get stuck. On mine, I have to remove the handles and use a wrench to free them up, this is normal, so barely shut them off and the same goes when you open them all the way.
good video. I find that my hilmor tube bender will ripple the tube on the bend in some of the larger pipes, as I saw in your video.
Yep, I gave up on Yellow Jacket tools about 4 years ago.
The point is you SHOULDN'T have to send their product back for warranty for the amount of money you pay for the tools. And I believe you have to pay for the shipping it to them, if Im not mistaken
i tried the Hilmor flaring block once (cause my boss had one given to him by the wholesaler for buying a bunch of 410A or something) and it was a nice tool, but i was hardly able to complete a 3/4" copper flare cause the handle is so friggin small. i grew up on a 200 acre beef farm, my forearms are not tiny. just curious about your experience with that. thanks, liking your videos.
I'm sold, thats some nice stuff.
Great video Ralph! I do have the Hilmor expander and it works great that flaring tools looks the a winner too.
Looks like the factory tried to flare too much, causing it to bump up at the top. And the 3/8 flare looks like it was flared off center. Can't believe the factory would send crap out like that. Nice video.
Thanks Robert!!!!
What you didn't mention that the lever type swager is 5 times faster than pumping up the hydraulic unit. I'll stick with my lever type because I find after a few uses its faster.
I’ve been seeing these tools being sold at Lennox parts house. They are very fairly priced I have been worried about quality until this video!! Biggest thing I saw was a 4 hose kit with 45 ends and ball valves for only 135 dollars.
Stay away from the manifolds. The bender, swagger, and flaring Tool are great but their other tools not so much.
T&N Services LLC. What about just the hose kit? Is it garbage as well? I’m sick of spending 245 dollars for hoses and ball valves! Az heat and sun destroy them.
Really nice video thank you, I was thinking of buying a yellow jacket swaging tool but I really like the hilmor. your video helped me make my mind up thanks. question can you make smaller tighter bends with the hilmor pipe bender ? I work on refrigerated trailers
Hey Philip you might be able to go past 90degrees but not much
Ok thank you
just ordered my compact expander and compact bender, hopefully they work good.
Thanks for making such good videos
Philip Tye there has never been a time where I have regretted buying these. I think you will enjoy them every time you use them. Let me know how you like them
The bender r is incredible, I have to get a better cutter and I have to get better at cleaning the burs from the newly cut end. My first couple of tries the end split
I hear ya on the case quality. The yellow jacket stuff always seems to come in a pretty cheesy case for the price you pay. Metal latches are nice. If I did lots of installs like you; I'd be sold on the tubing bender at least.
Nice! I really like that flaring tool
Excellent review Ralph.
Hey Jim, when I bought the Hilmor I was pretty upset with YJ because of the benders. I have been watching videos on Hilmore and wanted to try them out, I really like them so far. I don't think they are made here though.
learned lots from you
Great vid Ralph love the new toys! Although it should have come with a case platt tool cases probably has something that would work or even an army surplus store
Nicely done review.
Hillmor has added heads for the expander, 1/4” 5/16” and 4 larger ones 1 1/8” to 2”.
Hi 4-05-15,1:00,greetings from Milwaukee Wisconsin, thanks for showing us,you make good videos, I appreciate,what the best tool for gauges,between, texto,or swan field piece,? thanks ,you people from down south are awesome!
the yellow jacket hydrolic swagger tool is very similar to the hilmar swagger
Thanks for the video. Please give us an update after you had time to field test. I am interested in the expander. Not that impressed with the die for 3/8" on YJ set. makes too shallow of a swage for my liking.
Great advice.
Do you know if Hilmor offers a reverse kit for there bender like Y.J does?
Great review. And information.
LMAO, Ive had a Rothberger Swagger (German Made) for almost 20 years ! It Works like new. Hilmore looks smaller and easier to get in tight spots, it ratchets so i wonder how its gonna hold up ...Mine was over $400 wayyy back then.
On wifes acct ..
Regards ,
Billy
Great job
Is the Hilmor flaring tool eccentric? I know it say orbital but am not 100% sure it is.
It Looks Like Yellow Jacket Makes a newer model Flaring tool that looks almost identical to the Hilmor. YJ part #60295 they call it their Eccentric Cone Flaring Tool, it has the same type bar and clutch, i dont see a height guage though, Where is the Hilmor made, all my YJ tools Say made in USA? also ridgid has an identical one also.
Thanks, Great Vid!
The flare you are looking at is an orbital or eccentric flare which is what most (all that I know of) recommend. Yellow Jacket and Hilmor both make tools for this type of flare. I believe the Orbital/eccentric flare are backward compatible. www.yellowjacket.com/product/810 has a video that expain this. Also Hvac Talk hvac-talk.com/vbb/showthread.php?667221-Eccentric-Flaring-Tool.and Hilmor hilmor.com/products/orbital-flare
.
Not so fast. Hilmor 5/16" valve core removal tool not so bueno. Slot in the remover stem has to narrow a groove to remove some valve cores on 410a systems. Really good when your trying to get cores out to vacuum. Since most local HVAC supply houses don't stock, I had to wait for this damn thing in the first place. Will now have to wait again, reorder different brand and hope it has a wider slot. Just cost me 4hrs trying to vacuum with cores in on a LG 4 ton multi.
Hey William, Ive never heard of anyone that make a battery operated one. Give it time though someone will come out with one.
What if your doing gas flares where do you position the stop
What do you think about the Spin tool?
Haven't bought the flaring spin set yet...but...
I have the Swaging spin bits - works awesome on 3/8's copper with a 18v Milwaukee drill.
I find myself still using couplings on 3/4" and 7/8" lines though...3/4" are a little loose and 7/8" is a pain.
Dude , I am convinced, time to trade up.
Just rec new mastercool eccentric flaring tool from ebay for $68 free shipping with case, everything looks exactly the same except for the height thing, just set it flush with bar.
Also comes with tubing cutter and deburring tool
muniznick You don't set it straight with the bar or your flare would be undersized. That metal tab is there for a reason. I just grab a nickel and put it against the bar.
Where are the hilmor tools made?
Is there any company that makes an expander that is battery operated for copper ?
Milwaukee
It’s ashame it doesn’t have the 1/4 inch flare
Where are the tools made?
the hilmor bender is useless with out the reverse adapter is it available
+Rickey Desormeaux www.ebay.com/itm/Hilmor-1926598-CBKRB-Compact-Bender-Kit-with-Reverse-Bending-Attachment-/171945490885?hash=item2808bff9c5
where can I find Hilmor Tools buddy.
Hilmor is starting to make a statement with there tools. Ive been watching them closely.
The lever action Yellow Jacket Swagger is much better for people with Arthritis and carpal tunnel.You can buy non branded lever action swagger and a pipe bender for less then $175.00 for both on EBAY. I bet the Hilmor Hydraulic swagger & tubing bender cost over $400.00 maybe. Yes Hilmor is nice but if a young HVAC tech who is strapped for CASH the non branded tools on EBAY cannot be beat.
Ya gotta start somewhere, but you also need to consider the cost of upgrading to better tools later as compared to just buying the better ones first. I've done both, and buying better and then working my a$$ off to pay them off asap always worked out best for me. Just my opinion. Best of luck to you which ever road you choose. You're eBay recommendation is spot on and great advice!!
Well the expander may be ok but the first generation gauges absolutely are horrible. They wouldn't bleed back to clear hoses. My bag has been replaced twice already.
you should do an update video and see if you still have the same opinion
Hilmor is made by Lenox (not the equipment brand)
The Hilmor looks like a quality tool but doesn't have the attachments to reverse the bend to get the 90 close to a wall.
Hey Philip Villaloboz your right about the reverse bender feature, I havent needed it, or I just made due with what I had. It's been a great tool so far
+Philip Villaloboz Can you elaborate on that a bit? I don't understand? Is there a video of what you mean?
The yellow jacket has an reversing attachment so if you have a piece of copper coming out of the wall you can use the bender on that copper. look up hilmor reverse bender.
Hilmor does offer 1/4 flaring head
I agree
What no CASE!!! Hilmor come now!
Update?
Where are hilmor tools made
Tyrone Williams China.....so I won't be purchasing any of their tools. USA or Israel only for me.
i just brazed in a 90lr elbow, done.
+Richard Hendrickson yeah but mine was free
+Richard Hendrickson First thing that comes to mind for me 2 brazes = two chances for a leak. Not to mention over the life of the tool vs an using elbows = more cost for couplings, more gas, more silver and more time.
now if someone could make a 1/4 swage so we wouldn't need 2 sets on the truck.
They are all made by the same company REM from Germany
nobody caught the crack pipe pun? pretty funny.
just looking at hilmor you can tell it's better designed. i'm still a ridgid guy and they haven't failed me yet. you pay for their quality but it'll work forever. once it does fail i may consider these.
i want a hilmor hat
the 1/4 is as ovaly as a start capacitor!
Hilmor Bender is Crap, it may look good, but is all it is. Bends "square", drop it a couple of times it will break, bar with 4 dies gets in way, and every time I put together pinches my hand. Try to be to modern but sucks.