CPS BLACKMAX BTB300 Premium Ratcheting Tube Bender with Reverse Bend, Includes 1/4-7/8 (7) Sizes

Well, I'll be honest by saying I did not want to pay over $300 and buy one similar at my local suppliers because I was not sure how well it would work or if if would last long. So I purchased this one at a lower price but still had a recognizable brand name. I have used it 10 to 12 times so far and now do not use my spring benders any longer that I have sworn by for many years. The quality seems good and I like the color coding of the mandrels and the insert pieces. I have not had any issues with the copper crimping on the inside edge which could be due to quality copper. You'll also save on fittings which is nice, but mostly you'll not have the extra joints to braze which makes for a more reliable install which is nice. The only problem I have is "I should have bought this years ago" UPDATE: 4-23-2023 Well its been 9 months and I have to say I'm very impressed with this tool. My installs not only look cleaner but are definitely more reliable because the bending of pipe out of the wall or ceiling, combined with a hand pump swager kit I purchased at the same time, has minimized braze joints and virtually eliminated the need for any couplings or 90 deg elbows. Plus this kit comes with the attachments to allow the tool to reverse the bend direction which I've used many times for clean and efficient piping into an AC or coil. Many kits don't come with the reversing parts - they have to be bought seperately.

I got this to help my brother-in-law do a mini split in his porch. (He was the doer I was the teller!) We had some pretty crazy bends to make and needed the ability to bend in reverse. We made about 8 bends in both 1/4 and 5/8ths copper. It was not real easy with the 5/8ths but it worked pretty well overall. I have no clue how it would hold up if I were to use it everyday but it seems to be well made. I also know that the mandrels being aluminum is WAY better then hard plastic. The aluminum does not kink the pipe like the plastic does. I read reviews where the ratchet went kaput. I didn't have that problem nor did it seem like it was slipping at all. If I have a chance to lend the tool out to any friends in the next 6 months I will update the review if anything was to go wrong with the tool, but overall it seems to be of very good quality. I would say give it a shot. They seem to be pretty attentive since they contacted me twice to see if I had any questions or problems, which is very nice.

I bought the original over a decade ago when they first came out. LR elbows were over $4 at the time and this bends up an LR elbow in a minute. Easy to use. This new improved version has metal dies, the original had an FRP product die set which eventually cracked. This new improved set has adapters for easier access and reverse action which really comes in handy in certain situations. Definitely worth it if you do even one HVAC change out a week. Pays for itself in minimizing the number and cost of fittings used and reduces the number of brazed joints. It is a huge time saver as well. Fewer joints means fewer potential leaks and much shorter time needed to complete a system

In the first install using this tool, I have to say WOW! In a job with 16 elbows that I would have normally soldered, I only needed to solder one!! I had read the reviews prior to ordering so I took my time to bend slowly, as to avoid any inadvertent wear on the ratchet mechanisms. Worked like a champ. There is only one slight beef I have with the tool. That is how the stops are so easily able to rotate. They obviously have to rotate while the bend proceeds but it would be nice if they would have a slight bit of resistance so they don't spin into the other position while getting a bend set up. We took a tiny piece of plastic bag and wrapped around between the stop and the bar and it provided just the slight friction to keep them from free-wheeling. This is why the 4 stars for Easy to use.

excellent

Bought this bender over the hilmer one because of the outside bending feature. It really helps in tight spots and when you go outside before unit. Only giving it four stars just for the reason that it doesn’t have the lines for the edge of your bend like hilmer does. But I will probably end up engraving lines in mine.

Very well built; nice quality. Case is very durable. Worked magnificently! Great value! Includes the reverse bend attachment pieces. Also has graduated markings for 90 degree bends.

Second purchase of this tool. First still going strong after two years of intensive use in HVAC installations. Like all tools, you must use it and learn best practices. Makes great bends most times. Bad bends have to do with tubing memory. Use some common sense and realize modern copper tubing is thinner and cheaper made than the good old stuff was. Thinner walls are easier to wrinkle. Use care , patience and a little WD40 to ease friction. Love the color coding. Makes it easy to use.

Best benders ever purchased

Eu gostei do sistema de travamento dos mordentes de 1,4 a 1/2. Eu não gostei da falta de não travar as duas peças de fazer as curvas de forma em click ou seja ficar travando na hora da curva.

E suna belleza este kit!

this product is good for hvac installer

I read other satisfied reviews and know cps is generally a decent middle of the road brand but I was still hesitant to drop a few hundred on this bender set without knowing anyone personally that's tried it. Took a chance and bought it. I have only used it for one install so far but if everything holds up over the years I will be very satisfied with purchase. The color coded aluminum dies are very light weight but still seem like durable very good quality. Read complaints about no placement markers on the dies. I have zero issue as is but you could use a sharpie if you like and would clearly see your marks. Bender itself is strong steel and does have marker for when you reach 90 if you like to rely on that. After bending is complete it releases easily with a convenient one handed action. No pinched fingers like hilmor. No struggle to pull back handle. Smooth. Reverse bender worked great. Both reverse and regular alignment gave almost no wrinkling inside the bent 90, noticeably less than I usually get from hilmor or yj. And no lubricant was used either. Not the same as putting it thru actual regular usage over time but inspecting out of the box there's no concerns about durability if you take half decent care of your tools. Like anything else. After using it for an install, cost aside I'd hands down actually take this over any other brand. Factor in cost and that they give you the reverse bender included it's no contest.