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Annular Cutter Guide: Weldon Shank, Pilot Pins, Sizing & Magnetic Drill Cutter Selection
Annular cutters explained: 3/4 inch Weldon shank standard, pilot pin slug ejection, HSS vs TCT selection, RPM by diameter, depth-of-cut sizing 25 to 110mm, drill press adapters and forum-validated buying advice for AU fabricators.
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Tube & Pipe Bender Guide: Hydraulic vs Manual, Bend Radius Rules, Mandrel vs Lever, Materials & Selection
The first decision in pipe and tube bending is not which bender to buy. It is whether you are bending pipe or tube — they are not the same thing, they are not measured the same way, and the bending rules differ. Pipe is specified by nominal bore (NB) and Schedule (wall thickness varies with grade); tube is specified by outside diameter (OD) and an explicit wall thickness. Practitioner forums regularly trip on the distinction, and so do specs, suppliers and tooling catalogues. This guide walks the full decision: pipe versus tube terminology, the four bender types (manual lever, hydraulic, electric hydraulic, roll), mandrel versus non-mandrel bending, the 1D/2D/3D/5D minimum bend radius rule, wall thinning under AS 4041, springback compensation, material selection by bender type, plumbing versus engineering versus automotive scope, and forum-validated troubleshooting on kinks, wrinkles and ovality. It is written for Australian fabrication shops, plumbing trades, mining maintenance, automotive workshops, fencing contractors and chassis fabricators — the practitioners actually buying benders. AIMS Industrial stocks 26 SKUs across Bramley (20), Garrick Herbert (4) and Trax (2) in our benders range, plus the modular Bramley Pro Bender 35T hydraulic platform in the Bramley collection. This is among the deepest pipe and tube bender supply in AU industrial supply. Pipe bender vs tube bender — what's the difference? The terminology disambiguation that catches the most practitioners. From Practical Machinist: "When you say 'pipe bender' I automatically think of that thing harbor freight sells. Tubing bender is probably a more appropriate term." The two are not interchangeable products, and the underlying difference is how the material is specified. Property Pipe Tube Sizing convention Nominal Bore (NB) + Schedule (e.g. 50 NB Sch 40) Outside Diameter (OD) × wall thickness (e.g. 50.8 × 1.6 mm) Outside diameter Standardised by NB family (see Art 20) The defining dimension Wall thickness Varies with Schedule (10, 40, 80, XXS) Explicit specification Tolerance Looser — fluid-conveyance dimensional tolerance Tighter — structural / mechanical tolerance Typical use Plumbing, gas, oil & gas, pressure piping Chassis fab, hydraulic lines, structural framework, exhaust, instrumentation Bender required Pipe bender (formers sized to standard NB ranges) Tube bender (dies sized to specific OD) Joining Threading (BSP/NPT) or welded butt joints Compression / flared / brazed / TIG welded The AIMS Pipe Schedule Chart sets out NB families against OD and Schedule wall thickness — required reference for sizing a pipe bender. For tube bending, you work from OD and wall directly, and you need a die sized to that OD with the wall thickness in the workable range. The cross-over case: thin-wall steel tube in NB-equivalent sizes (15 NB, 20 NB, 25 NB) is commonly called "pipe" in plumbing and automotive trade vernacular even when it is technically tube. AU plumbing copper, gas copper, and air-conditioning copper are all tube — specified by OD — even though everyone calls them "pipes." The four bender types — manual, hydraulic, electric, roll Type Power source Capacity range Workshop fit AIMS examples Manual lever Operator force via lever / pole Up to 25 NB pipe, up to 25 mm tube Plumbing trade, on-site, ute-based, light fab Bramley TBRD Manual Thin-Wall Round Tube Bender, Bramley TBSQ Square Tube Bender, Garrick Herbert Tube Bender, Trax Tube Bender Metric Hydraulic manual Hand pump driving hydraulic ram Up to 80 NB pipe, up to 75 mm tube Fab shop, fencing, automotive workshop, mining maintenance Bramley PB2 Hydraulic Pipe Bender + Six Formers, Bramley TBHYD Hydraulic Thin-Wall Tube Bender Electric hydraulic Electric motor driving hydraulic ram Up to 100 NB pipe, production volumes Production fabrication, repetitive bending, larger workshop Bramley PB2-E Electric Hydraulic Pipe Bender + Six Formers, Bramley TBHYD-E Electric Hydraulic Thin-Wall Tube Bender Roll bender / ring roll 3-roller arrangement, manual or hydraulic feed Large-radius bends, arches, rings, structural rolling Architectural fabrication, handrail, structural framework, rings Specialty range — not core AIMS stock, source on request The fifth category — modular hydraulic press platform — is the Bramley Pro Bender 35T Hydraulic Bending Machine. A 35-tonne workshop hydraulic press base that takes interchangeable attachments: 35T Pipe Bending Attachment, 35T Large V Bending Attachment, Pipe & Tube Notching Attachment, Rebar Bending & Straightening Attachment. The Practical Machinist comment captures the appeal: "You don't just have to use a pipe bender for pipe. They bend rods and flats really well with the right dies." One base unit, multiple bending operations. Mandrel vs non-mandrel bending — when each wins The single biggest decision after bender type. A mandrel bender uses an internal support (the mandrel) inserted into the tube during the bend, preventing the inside wall from collapsing inward and preserving the round cross-section through the bend. Non-mandrel benders rely on the die set alone to support the bend, and the inside radius is free to wrinkle or collapse if the tube is too thin or the bend too tight. Property Mandrel bender Non-mandrel bender Cross-section preservation Round / square shape preserved through bend Some flattening / ovality acceptable Wrinkle risk inside radius Eliminated when sized correctly Forms at tight CLR or thin wall Minimum CLR achievable 1D (1× diameter) with correct mandrel 3D (3× diameter) practical, less if thick wall Tooling cost High — mandrel + die set per OD per CLR Lower — die set per OD per CLR Best for Performance exhaust, hydraulic line, structural chassis, instrumentation Plumbing copper, gas copper, conduit, fencing, light fab Forum reality r/Trucks: "Mandrel bent is always the way to go for exhaust to add performance with wrinkle bent every bend causing turbulence" r/Welding: "1.5" 304 stainless on a JD square model 3 — kinking like mad" (non-mandrel limit) The performance rationale for mandrel is real: in an exhaust system, every wrinkle on the inside radius adds turbulence and pressure drop, reducing flow. Race chassis, motorsport exhaust, hydraulic line on heavy machinery, and instrumentation tubing all justify mandrel bending. Plumbing copper at 1.5D doesn't — copper is forgiving, the cross-section stays close to round, and the application doesn't care about a 1–2 percent flow reduction. AIMS thin-wall tube benders (Bramley TBHYD, TBRD, TBSQ) are non-mandrel and they cover the bulk of AU fabrication, plumbing and fencing work. Premium mandrel bending machines (JD2, Pro-Tools, Baileigh) are specialty — AIMS sources on request through supplier network rather than stocking the racing-tier range. Minimum bend radius — the 1D / 2D / 3D / 5D rule Bend radius notation in the trade uses a multiple of the tube or pipe outside diameter. A 2D bend means the centreline radius equals two times the OD. A 5D bend means five times. The notation collapses two specifications (centreline radius and tube diameter) into one number that scales across product sizes. Notation Centreline radius (CLR) Bend characteristic Best for 1D Equal to OD Tightest practical mandrel bend; requires premium mandrel + die set Race chassis, instrumentation, hydraulic line in tight envelope 1.5D 1.5 × OD Mandrel-bent standard for performance exhaust and chassis Motorsport exhaust headers, fabrication where envelope matters 2D 2 × OD Quality mandrel bend, low wall thinning, low risk of wrinkle Hydraulic lines, instrumentation, premium fabrication 3D 3 × OD Standard non-mandrel CLR — rule of thumb for hydraulic + thin-wall tube Plumbing, gas, fencing, general fabrication non-mandrel 5D 5 × OD Generous bend, minimal wall thinning, no wrinkle even on thin wall Pressure piping, gas line, NBN/conduit, AS 4041 design preference The non-mandrel rule of thumb: multiply OD by 3 to get the minimum practical CLR. That gives 3D as the floor for plumbing copper (15 mm OD → 45 mm CLR minimum) and conduit (25 mm OD → 75 mm CLR). For AU NBN conduit installation, Whirlpool Forums AU practitioner advice goes further: "Get the bends as big as possible but definitely no smaller than 100mm." That is a 100 mm radius minimum regardless of conduit OD — generous radius lets cable pull through cleanly. For pressure piping under AS 4041, the standard prefers larger bend radii to reduce wall thinning at the extrados and stress concentration at the intrados. 5D is the conservative default for pressure pipe; 3D acceptable with thicker wall (Schedule 40 or above); 2D and tighter requires explicit engineering review per AS 4041 wall-thickness-for-bends calculation. Wall thinning + AS 4041 — what happens to wall thickness during the bend When you bend a pipe or tube, the outside of the bend (the extrados) stretches and thins. The inside (the intrados) compresses and thickens. The amount of wall thinning depends on the bend radius, the tube material, the wall thickness, and the bending method. AS 4041:2006 (R2016) Pressure Piping requires the designer to account for this in the starting wall thickness calculation so that after bending, the wall at the extrados still meets pressure rating. Practical thinning figures, forum-validated and industry-published: 1D bend (mandrel): Extrados wall thins up to 33 percent; intrados thickens proportionally. 2D bend (mandrel): Extrados thins 15–20 percent. 3D bend (mandrel or non-mandrel): Extrados thins 10–15 percent. 5D bend: Extrados thins 5–10 percent — minimal impact on rated pressure. Worked example for AU plumbing copper. A 15 mm OD × 1.0 mm wall Type B copper tube bent at 3D (45 mm CLR) loses roughly 10–15 percent wall on the extrados, ending at about 0.85–0.90 mm wall. Still well within the AS 1432 working pressure rating for typical plumbing service. Bent at 1D, the same tube loses up to 33 percent on the extrados, ending at about 0.67 mm — and that's only achievable with internal support (mandrel or spring) because the non-mandrel bend would kink before reaching 1D on thin wall. For pressure pipe under AS 4041, the procedure is to calculate required design wall thickness at the bend extrados, add the thinning allowance, and select pipe schedule accordingly. The standard's calculation accounts for weld joint factor, class design factor, bend radius and material design strength. See the AIMS Pipe Schedule Chart for NB sizes against Schedule wall thickness. Springback compensation — the over-bend rule When you release the bending force, the tube or pipe springs back partially toward straight — the material's elastic recovery. To hit a target 90° bend, you over-bend by a small amount and let the springback bring it to spec. Material Typical springback at 90° Over-bend rule Mild steel (low carbon) 3–5° Bend to 93–95° for 90° finished Stainless 304 / 316 5–10° Bend to 95–100° for 90° finished Aluminium (6061-T6) 5–8° Bend to 95–98° for 90° finished Copper (annealed) 2–4° Bend to 92–94° for 90° finished Chrome-moly (4130) 8–12° Bend to 98–102° for 90° finished Brass (annealed) 2–4° Bend to 92–94° for 90° finished Springback rises with material strength and tightness of bend. Stainless 304 work-hardens during the bend, increasing springback further on subsequent bends in the same area. Chrome-moly 4130 (race chassis) is the springback champion — race fabricators routinely over-bend by 10–12 degrees on 4130. The springback figures above are starting points; production fabrication confirms them on a test piece before running the full job. Materials — what works on which bender Material Manual lever Hydraulic manual Electric hydraulic Notes Copper (annealed) ✓ Up to 25 mm OD ✓ Up to 50 mm OD ✓ Production volumes Anneal first if work-hardened. Internal spring for thin wall on manual lever. AU plumbing & gas standard. Mild steel pipe ✓ Up to 25 NB ✓ Up to 80 NB Sch 40 ✓ Up to 100 NB Sch 40 Bramley PB2 series rated for full AU mild steel pipe range. Mild steel tube (thin wall) ✓ Up to 32 mm OD ✓ Up to 75 mm OD ✓ Up to 100 mm OD Bramley TBHYD series purpose-built for thin-wall tube. Stainless 304 / 316 ⚠ Marginal — work hardens fast ⚠ With caution, increase CLR ✓ With purpose-rated tooling r/Welding direct: "1.5" 304 stainless kinking like mad" on JD2 manual mandrel. Increase CLR to 3D minimum. Aluminium (6061) ⚠ Cracks at tight CLR ⚠ Anneal first or use 6063 ✓ With heat soak 6061-T6 is brittle — anneal to T0 before bending, or use softer 6063. Chrome-moly 4130 ✗ Springback too high ⚠ Race-fab specialty ✓ With premium mandrel r/Framebuilding: "JD2 home bender, nothing over 15–20° before wrinkles." Premium mandrel rotary-draw mandatory above 1.5" OD. Brass / bronze ✓ Annealed only ✓ Annealed ✓ Production Anneal before bending; brass work-hardens rapidly. Rebar (16 mm to 25 mm) ✗ Wrong tool class ✓ With rebar attachment ✓ With rebar attachment Dedicated rebar bender: Bramley Rod Bender 16mm Capacity, Pro Bender Rebar Attachment Angle iron / flat bar ✗ Wrong tool class ✓ With angle attachment ✓ Bramley Angle Bar Bender Schedule + wall thickness — link to Pipe Schedule Chart For pipe bending — as opposed to tube bending — the wall thickness that drives the bend math is set by the Schedule, not by an explicit specification. Schedule 10 pipe is thin-walled and bends easily but kinks on tight CLR. Schedule 40 is the AU plumbing and structural standard. Schedule 80 has heavy wall and bends without thinning concerns but requires higher hydraulic force. Schedule XXS is extra-extra-strong, used in oil & gas and high-pressure service. The required hydraulic force scales with pipe NB, wall thickness, and material strength. Bramley PB2 hydraulic pipe benders include six standard formers covering common AU NB ranges; additional replacement formers are available per NB size. For tube bending, formers / dies are sized to OD: see the Hydraulic Tube Bender Former Set for the matched TBHYD range, plus dedicated round and square formers for the manual thin-wall benders. The AIMS Pipe Schedule Chart is the required companion reference for any pipe-bending job — NB to OD conversion, Schedule wall thickness, and AS 1074 / ASME B36.10 sizing. Pipe bender troubleshooting — kinks, wrinkles, ovality, kickback Symptom Likely cause Fix Inside-radius wrinkles Bend radius too tight for wall thickness; non-mandrel where mandrel needed; wrong die for OD Increase CLR by one size step (3D → 4D); switch to mandrel; check die matches OD Outside-radius cracking Wall thinned beyond material limit; material not annealed; chrome-moly bent cold without rotary-draw mandrel Anneal first; use thicker wall; switch to mandrel rotary-draw Kinking on small tube Thin wall with no internal support; stainless work-hardening; bend too fast Internal bending spring (Garrick TB-Spring); slow the bend; switch to mandrel Ovality at the bend Non-mandrel bend; cross-section flattening under die pressure Switch to mandrel; reduce direct pressure; increase CLR Tube slips in die Insufficient clamping pressure; die worn; tube oily Clean tube and die; check clamping mechanism; replace worn die Bend kicks back / under-bends Springback exceeds compensation; material harder than expected Increase over-bend by 2–5°; test on offcut first Larger diameter unsatisfactory bends Incorrect die; low-quality pipe with off-spec OD r/HVAC top answer: "Could be incorrect die in the benders or low quality pipe" Mandrel scoring inside of tube Mandrel sized incorrectly; insufficient lubrication; mandrel worn Match mandrel to OD − 2 × wall; lubricate mandrel; replace if scored Hose chatter on hydraulic pump Air in hydraulic line; low fluid level Bleed pump; top up hydraulic fluid; check seals Plumbing vs engineering vs automotive — different sizing, different tools The same bender format does not serve all applications equally. The three primary trade audiences for pipe and tube bending have distinct requirements. Plumbing trade. AU plumbing copper Type A (gas), Type B (water), Type C: thin-wall copper tube in 15, 20, 25, 32 mm OD. Manual lever benders, internal bending springs (Garrick TB-Spring) for site work, hydraulic for the workshop. Compliance: AS/NZS 3500 plumbing, AS/NZS 5601 gas. Pipe bender + flaring tool combo standard. Engineering / fabrication. Mild steel pipe NB sizes 15–100, Sch 40 standard; mild steel tube square + round across structural ranges; stainless 304/316 for food / pharma / process. Hydraulic and electric hydraulic benders, Bramley PB2 / PB2-E / TBHYD ranges, Pro Bender 35T for modular fabrication. Standards: AS 4041 pressure piping, AS 1074 steel pipe. Automotive workshop. Exhaust pipe (1.5" to 3.5" OD), brake lines (3/16", 1/4", 3/8" OD copper-nickel), fuel lines, intercooler piping (alloy or stainless). Mandrel bender required for performance exhaust; hand benders / brake pipe benders for brake lines. Race chassis uses chrome-moly 4130 — premium mandrel rotary-draw exclusively (JD2, Pro-Tools, Baileigh — specialty source). Air conditioning / refrigeration / HVAC. Small-OD copper tube 1/4" to 5/8" for refrigerant lines. Garrick Herbert TB-MB Mini Tube Bender 180° covers the standard refrigeration OD range. AS/NZS 1571 refrigeration copper. Fencing & pool fence. Thin-wall steel tube round + square. Bramley TBPF Pool Fence Tube Bender is the AU specialty product. AS 1926 pool fence compliance. Electrical conduit. EMT / RMC conduit benders are a different product class — Milwaukee, Klein, Greenlee dominate, not Bramley territory. AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules. Roll benders + ring rolls — when you need radius bending Roll benders (sometimes called ring rolls or section benders) use three rollers to bend material progressively over a large radius — the workpiece is fed through, the centre roller is advanced incrementally, and the bend is rolled in over multiple passes. Unlike CNC rotary-draw benders which apply a tight bend at discrete angle points, roll benders produce smooth large-radius arcs: handrails, architectural curves, structural rings, decorative iron, ring tank shells. For architectural fabrication, ornamental wrought iron and decorative scroll work, AIMS stocks the Bramley B-WIC Fully Optioned Wrought Iron Bender, the B-WI Scroll Bender Attachment, and the B-PBT Picket & Basket Twister Attachment — the wrought iron specialty trio. Heavier structural roll bending (large I-beams, channel, plate rolling) is workshop-machinery class — Hafco / Hare & Forbes territory, source on request. Dies and formers — the recurring spend most buyers underestimate From Practical Machinist: "Once you have the bender, don't forget every different radius - tube size - wall thickness needs more tooling." The bender base unit is the smallest part of the lifetime spend on a serious bending capability — formers, dies, mandrels and follow-blocks add up. A typical Bramley PB2 ships with six formers covering the most common AU NB pipe sizes. Additional NB sizes require replacement formers. For tube bending, formers are sized to OD — a fab shop bending 1", 1.5" and 2" tube needs three former sets, sometimes more if multiple bend radii are required at each OD. The complete Hydraulic Tube Bender Former Set is the bulk-buy path for full-range workshop coverage. Follow rollers are the often-missed accessory. The TBFRR Follow Roller for Round Tube and TBFRS Follow Roller for Square Tube support the bend behind the die, reducing wrinkles and ovality on longer pieces. The Bramley Follow Roller is a workshop standard. Production fab shops also stand the bender on a dedicated Bramley Tube Bender Stand with an offcut hopper. Internal springs and bending springs — the cheap thin-wall workshop trick For thin-wall copper tube — AU plumbing 15–25 mm, refrigeration 1/4"–5/8" — an internal bending spring inserted into the tube before the bend provides cheap, portable mandrel-equivalent support. The spring expands against the inside wall during the bend, prevents the cross-section from collapsing, and slides out clean afterwards. From Whirlpool Forums Australia on AU plumbing copper: "A plumber will need to cut a length of copper tubing, carefully bend it using a tube bender or one of those springs, trim it to the exact length required." Internal springs are a recognised plumbing-trade tool, not a corner-cutting hack — they are what every AU plumbing apprentice learns alongside the lever bender. AIMS stocks the Garrick Herbert TB-Spring Tube Bending Spring Set covering 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" OD — the standard refrigeration and plumbing copper range. Combined with the TB-MB Mini Tube Bender 180° for clean controlled bends, this is the AU plumbing / refrigeration tradesperson's portable bending kit. Bramley Pro Bender 35T — the modular hydraulic press platform For workshops investing in a single piece of equipment to cover pipe bending, V-bending, tube notching and rebar bending, the Bramley Pro Bender 35T Hydraulic Bending Machine is the modular platform that makes commercial sense. A 35-tonne hydraulic press base with a series of interchangeable attachments — one machine, multiple bending operations, lower lifetime cost than buying dedicated benders for each task. 35T Pipe Bending Attachment — pipe bending with the six-former system. 35T Large V Bending Attachment — V-bend on plate or bar, useful for chassis and structural work. Pipe & Tube Notching Attachment — cope-cuts on tube ends for welded joints, fish-mouth notches for chassis tube assembly. Rebar Bending & Straightening Attachment — bend or straighten construction rebar without buying a dedicated rebar bender. The Practical Machinist insight applies: "You don't just have to use a pipe bender for pipe is what im trying to say. They bend rods and flats really well with the right dies." The 35T platform is precisely that — one base, several jobs. AIMS supply tiers — Bramley + Garrick + Trax + honest scope AIMS Industrial stocks 26 SKUs across three brands in our benders range, with additional Bramley specialty in the Bramley collection. This is among the deepest pipe and tube bender supply in AU industrial supply. Tier 1 — Bramley industrial standard (20+ SKUs): The Australian fabrication shop standard. PB2 + PB2-E hydraulic pipe benders with six formers (manual + electric variants), TBHYD + TBHYD-E hydraulic thin-wall tube benders (manual + electric), TBSQ + TBRD manual thin-wall benders (square + round), TBPF pool fence specialty, TBFRR + TBFRS follow rollers, B-WIC + B-WI + B-PBT wrought iron trio, angle bar bender, 16 mm rod bender, full former range, tube bender stand. Plus the Pro Bender 35T modular hydraulic press platform with four attachment options. Tier 2 — Garrick Herbert plumbing & refrigeration specialty (4 SKUs): Garrick Tube Bender, TB-MB Mini Tube Bender 180° (refrigeration), TB-Spring Tube Bending Spring Set (internal springs), TE-M Tube Expander Set (companion product for flaring tube ends). Tier 3 — Trax workshop value (2 SKUs): Trax Tube Bender Metric, Trax ARX-CTA100 Tube Expander Set. Honest scope — not stocked at AIMS: WoLF (Sydney Tools house brand), RIDGID (US plumbing premium), Rothenberger (UK plumbing), Hafco / Hare & Forbes (workshop machinery class, including the TB-60 and TB-70 electric ranges), Baileigh / Pro-Tools / JD2 / JD-Square (race chassis specialty), Milwaukee / Klein / Greenlee (electrical conduit specialty), ITM (TradeTools premium), PlumBOSS, Haron, Toledo, SP Tools, Aeroflow, Proflow, PKTool, SCA (Repco / SCA automotive consumer tier). Each is a legitimate AU market brand for its niche. AIMS can source through supplier network on request, but day-to-day stock is the Bramley + Garrick + Trax range above. Selection by site type Site type Typical work Recommended AIMS supply Single-tradesperson plumber 15–25 mm copper, on-site Garrick Herbert TB-MB Mini + TB-Spring set + portable bender bag Plumbing workshop 15–32 mm copper, mild steel up to 25 NB Bramley TBRD + TBSQ manual benders + TB-Spring set for thin-wall work Fab shop — mild steel Up to 80 NB pipe, square + round tube Bramley PB2 hydraulic pipe bender + TBHYD tube bender + follow rollers + stand Production fab shop Repetitive bends, multiple sizes PB2-E electric hydraulic + TBHYD-E electric + Pro Bender 35T modular platform Fencing contractor Pool fence tube, pickets Bramley TBPF Pool Fence + B-PBT picket twister attachment Mining maintenance Hydraulic line, pipe, conduit on heavy machinery Bramley PB2 hydraulic + TBHYD thin-wall + Pro Bender 35T notching attachment Automotive workshop Exhaust, brake line, intercooler Bramley TBHYD + Garrick TB-MB + mini benders + spring set (mandrel exhaust = source specialty) Air-conditioning / refrigeration 1/4" to 5/8" copper refrigerant lines Garrick Herbert TB-MB Mini 180° + TB-Spring set + TE-M expander Architectural / wrought iron Decorative scroll, picket, gate fabrication Bramley B-WIC fully optioned + B-WI scroll attachment + B-PBT picket twister Race chassis fabrication 4130 chrome-moly, 1"–2" OD Specialty mandrel rotary-draw (JD2, Pro-Tools, Baileigh) — source on request AIMS selection checklist — 8 pre-purchase questions Is this pipe or tube? Pipe is NB + Schedule (varying wall). Tube is OD + wall (specified). Different benders, different sizing. What is the largest size you'll bend? Sets bender capacity. Manual lever to 25 mm tube / 25 NB pipe. Hydraulic manual to 75 mm tube / 80 NB pipe. Electric hydraulic to 100 mm / 100 NB. What materials? Copper plumbing → manual lever + spring set. Mild steel → hydraulic. Stainless / chrome-moly → mandrel rotary-draw. What is your minimum bend radius? 5D = pressure piping. 3D = non-mandrel rule. 2D / 1.5D = mandrel territory. 1D = premium mandrel + matched die set. Single-bend or production? Production volumes justify electric hydraulic; one-off or low-frequency = manual hydraulic; site work = manual lever. Multiple bending operations? Modular Pro Bender 35T platform makes sense for workshops doing pipe + V-bend + notching + rebar. Die / former budget? The bender base is the start. Budget for additional formers covering NB / OD range, replacement dies, follow rollers, stand. AU standards compliance? AS 4041 pressure piping, AS 1074 steel pipe, AS 1432 copper, AS/NZS 3500 plumbing, AS/NZS 5601 gas. Confirm relevant standard for your application. Need help speccing a bender for your shop or matching formers to your job mix? Contact the AIMS team — we work across the full Bramley + Garrick Herbert + Trax range and can match products to your bending capacity, material mix and budget. The benders collection is the complete in-stock range. Frequently Asked Questions What is the difference between a pipe bender and a tube bender? A pipe bender is sized to standard Nominal Bore (NB) pipe families per Schedule (10, 40, 80, XXS) — wall thickness varies with grade. A tube bender is sized to specific outside diameter (OD) and wall thickness combinations. Pipe formers cover NB ranges; tube dies are explicit OD. Trade vernacular often calls thin-wall tube "pipe" (e.g. AU plumbing copper, gas copper), but the bender that fits a 50 NB Sch 40 pipe is not interchangeable with the die for a 50 mm OD × 1.6 mm tube. What is the best type of pipe bender? It depends on capacity, material and frequency. For AU plumbing trade — Bramley TBRD manual lever bender + Garrick Herbert TB-Spring internal spring set for thin-wall copper. For fabrication workshop — Bramley PB2 hydraulic pipe bender with six formers. For production fab — PB2-E electric hydraulic. For modular workshop coverage — Pro Bender 35T platform with interchangeable attachments. For race chassis 4130 — premium mandrel rotary-draw (JD2 / Pro-Tools / Baileigh, source on request). Which type of bender is the most powerful? Electric hydraulic benders deliver the most consistent high force — the Bramley PB2-E pipe bender and TBHYD-E thin-wall tube bender. The Bramley Pro Bender 35T platform delivers 35 tonnes of hydraulic force via the workshop press base — the highest capacity in the AIMS range. CNC rotary-draw mandrel benders (specialty industrial, not core AIMS stock) deliver the most precise high-force bending and are the production standard for automotive exhaust and chassis fabrication at volume. Do plumbers use pipe benders? Yes — pipe and tube benders are core plumbing trade tools. AU plumbers bend copper (Type A gas, Type B water) using manual lever benders (Bramley TBRD), internal bending springs (Garrick TB-Spring) for thin-wall site work, and mini benders (Garrick TB-MB) for refrigeration and small-diameter copper. Hydraulic pipe benders (Bramley PB2) handle larger mild steel pipe runs. The pipe bender + flaring tool combo is standard in any commercial plumbing workshop. What is mandrel bending? Mandrel bending uses an internal support (the mandrel) inserted into the tube during the bend, preventing the inside wall from collapsing inward. The mandrel preserves the round (or square) cross-section through the bend and lets you achieve tighter bend radii without wrinkling. Mandrel bending is standard for performance exhaust (preserves flow), race chassis 4130, hydraulic lines, and instrumentation tubing. Non-mandrel bending — what most AIMS thin-wall tube benders do — relies on the die set alone and is acceptable for plumbing, fencing, conduit and general fabrication. What is the minimum bend radius for tube? Non-mandrel rule of thumb: 3× outside diameter (3D). For a 25 mm OD tube, minimum CLR is 75 mm. With internal spring or mandrel, 1.5D–2D is achievable. With premium mandrel rotary-draw, 1D is possible. Tighter bends than 1D require specialty engineering — induction bending or pre-formed segments. AS 4041 prefers 5D as the conservative default for pressure piping. How do you calculate wall thinning during a bend? Wall thinning at the extrados (outside of bend) scales with bend tightness. Typical figures: 1D bend = up to 33 percent thinning, 2D = 15–20 percent, 3D = 10–15 percent, 5D = 5–10 percent. For pressure piping under AS 4041, the designer calculates required design wall thickness at the extrados, adds thinning allowance, and selects pipe Schedule accordingly. The standard's full calculation accounts for weld joint factor, class design factor, bend radius and material design strength. What is springback when bending tube? Springback is the elastic recovery of the material when bending force is released — the tube partially returns toward straight. To hit a target 90° bend, you over-bend by a small amount and let springback bring it to spec. Typical springback at 90°: copper 2–4°, mild steel 3–5°, aluminium 5–8°, stainless 304/316 5–10°, chrome-moly 4130 8–12°. Test on offcut before running the job. Why does my tube kink when I bend it? Kinks usually mean one of: bend radius too tight for wall thickness; non-mandrel bend where mandrel needed; thin-wall tube with no internal support; wrong die for OD; low-quality tube with off-spec wall. Fix: increase CLR by one size step; switch to mandrel or insert internal bending spring (Garrick TB-Spring); slow the bend; confirm die OD matches tube OD. r/HVAC top answer: "Could be incorrect die in the benders or low quality pipe." Can you bend stainless steel pipe? Yes — but stainless 304/316 work-hardens during the bend, increasing springback and kink risk on subsequent bends in the same area. Use mandrel where practical, increase CLR to 3D minimum, and slow the bending speed. r/Welding forum direct: "1.5 inch 304 stainless on a JD square model 3 — kinking like mad" — that's a non-mandrel manual bender hitting its stainless limit. Bramley TBHYD with appropriate die handles thin-wall stainless at 3D+ CLR; tighter requires specialty mandrel rotary-draw. What is a roll bender used for? Roll benders (3-roller, sometimes called ring rolls or section benders) produce smooth large-radius arcs rather than tight angle bends. Use cases: architectural handrails, structural arches, ring tank shells, decorative wrought iron scroll, large-radius pipe for process equipment. Unlike rotary-draw benders that produce tight angle bends at discrete points, roll benders feed the workpiece progressively over multiple passes to build the radius. For AU wrought iron and decorative work, Bramley's B-WIC / B-WI / B-PBT trio handles the trade; heavier structural rolling is workshop-machinery class. How does an internal bending spring work? An internal bending spring is a tight-coil spring slightly smaller than the tube's inside diameter. Insert it into the tube at the bend location before bending. The spring expands against the inside wall during the bend, providing internal support that prevents the cross-section from collapsing inward — equivalent to a basic mandrel. After the bend, the spring rotates out cleanly. AU plumbers use bending springs for site work on 15–25 mm copper where carrying a hydraulic bender isn't practical. The Garrick Herbert TB-Spring set covers 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" OD — the standard plumbing and refrigeration range. Can I bend copper pipe by hand? Annealed copper up to 15 mm OD can be hand-bent on a generous radius (5D or larger) without tools, especially when warm. Anything tighter, or any size above 15 mm, kinks before completing the bend. The practical AU plumbing answer is: manual lever bender (Bramley TBRD or Garrick) for clean controlled bends, plus internal bending spring for site work where the lever bender isn't to hand. Cold copper above 25 mm OD usually needs a hydraulic bender. What is the difference between exhaust pipe bending and brake pipe bending? Different scales and different tool classes. Exhaust pipe is 1.5"–3.5" OD mild steel or stainless; performance exhaust uses mandrel benders to preserve flow. Brake pipe is 3/16", 1/4" or 3/8" OD copper-nickel (kunifer) or steel — bent with a hand brake pipe bender (lever type with small-diameter dies). The brake pipe bender is a portable plier-style tool; the exhaust pipe bender is hydraulic shop equipment with mandrel option. The two markets share the "pipe bender" search term but the tools are not interchangeable. How much does a Bramley pipe bender cost? Bramley pipe and tube benders span entry to production tier — manual benders, hydraulic manual, electric hydraulic, and the Pro Bender 35T modular platform with attachments. For current Bramley pricing across the AIMS range, see the benders collection or contact the AIMS team for a tailored quote based on your workshop's bending capacity, materials and production volume. For everything welding — machines, consumables, PPE — see our Welding collection. For corner radius end mills, see our corner radius end mills range stocked across Australia. Need taper pipe reamers? Browse the AIMS range at taper pipe reamers. People Also Ask — Tube and Pipe Benders Q: What is the difference between a tube bender and a pipe bender? Tube benders are designed for thin-walled tubing (such as hydraulic, pneumatic, or instrumentation tube) where maintaining the circular cross-section and dimensional accuracy of the bent section is critical. Pipe benders are generally designed for heavier-wall pipe used in plumbing, gas, and structural applications. The tooling (formers, mandrels, and clamps) is matched to the wall thickness and material properties of each type. Q: What is the minimum bend radius for tube bending? The minimum bend radius depends on the tube diameter, wall thickness, and material. Attempting to bend tighter than the recommended minimum radius causes wrinkling on the inside of the bend and ovality or collapse of the tube wall. The tool manufacturer's data for the specific former set and tube specification should always be consulted — bending too tight a radius compromises both the structural integrity and the flow area of the tube. Q: What causes wrinkles or flattening during tube bending? Wrinkling on the inside of the bend is caused by insufficient compression support — typically when the wrong die is used, the clamp pressure is insufficient, or the bend radius is too tight for the material. Flattening of the outer wall occurs when the tube is not properly supported with a mandrel or follow bar during the bend. Correct tooling selection and proper tube support throughout the bend arc are the primary controls. Q: What materials can be bent with a hydraulic tube bender? Hydraulic tube benders are capable of bending mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, copper, and brass tubing, provided the correct tooling is selected for the material. Harder or work-hardening materials such as stainless steel require more bending force and may need specialised tooling to prevent cracking or surface marking. The bender's rated capacity must not be exceeded for the tube diameter and wall thickness. Q: How do I calculate the correct cut length before bending a tube? The cut length (developed length) of the tube must account for the material that stretches around the neutral axis in each bend. The neutral axis travels through a point approximately at the midpoint of the wall thickness. For each bend, calculate the arc length at the neutral radius (bend radius plus the neutral axis offset) and add the straight lengths between bends. Most tube bending calculators and manufacturers' tooling guides provide the bend allowance formula for common bend angles.
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Read moreClamp Types Guide: G-Clamp, F-Clamp, C-Clamp, Quick & Locking Clamps
What is a clamp used for? A clamp applies controlled pressure to hold a workpiece in place while you cut, weld, glue, drill, or measure. The right clamp depends on three things: the shape and size of the workpiece, how much force you need to apply, and whether you need to operate it one-handed. The most common workshop types are G-clamps (heavy general-purpose), F-clamps (long-reach), C-clamps (deep throat), quick-action clamps (one-handed adjustment), and locking pliers (vice grips). F-clamp vs G-clamp — when each is the right pick — Quick Reference Quick reference for clamp types guide, drawn from the detailed section below. Factor G-clamp / C-clamp F-clamp Maximum capacity ~480mm typical workshop range 100mm to 1200mm+ Clamping force Higher (concentrated through stiff frame) Lower (force limited by bar bending under load) Adjustment speed Slower — screw turn for each adjustment Faster — slide the jaw, then short screw turn One-handed use Difficult Possible (especially ratchet F-clamps) Throat depth Fixed by frame design (30-100mm) Varies with bar position Cost per size Cheaper for small sizes (50-200mm) Cheaper for large sizes (250mm+) Best for Heavy fabrication, machinery assembly, holding to bench surface, smaller workpieces requiring high force Larger workpieces, panel work, woodworking glue-ups, situations needing speed over force Why clamps matter — workshop holding without a bench vice everywhere A bench vice holds workpieces at one fixed location. Clamps hold workpieces wherever you need them — on a fabrication table, against an edge, vertically on a panel, across a long workpiece a vice can't reach, or at an angle no vice can manage. The clamp is the workshop's portable, scalable holder. The cost of bad clamping is real. Movement under cut means out-of-square assemblies. Movement under weld means cracked tacks and warped panels. Insufficient force on workhardened or springy metal means the clamp pops off mid-operation. And the wrong clamp for the material — hardened steel jaw on polished aluminium, or oversize G-clamp on thin sheet — damages the surface as fast as no clamping at all. This guide covers the categories most workshops actually need: G/C-clamps (the workshop standard), F-clamps (longer reach, lighter force), locking C-clamp pliers (one-handed), welding specialty clamps (Strong Hand Tools' depth), magnetic and third-hand clamps (welder's hands-free option), and quick-release clamps (one-handed grip-and-release). Pairs nicely with your bench vice, hammer and pliers selection. G-clamp vs C-clamp — the same tool, different names G-clamp and C-clamp are the same tool. AU and UK workshops call it a G-clamp because the frame resembles a capital G. US workshops call it a C-clamp because the frame resembles a capital C. The product is identical — same geometry, same use, same standards. The terminology difference confuses cross-Atlantic buying conversations but it's not a real product distinction. Lowe's (US retailer) is explicit: "The terms C-clamp and G-clamp refer to the same type of clamp, reflecting the shape of the metal frame and the movable jaw assembly." AU vendors split — Bunnings uses G-clamp; Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse uses G-clamp; RS Components AU calls them "G/C Clamps" to cover both. AIMS uses G-clamp throughout as the AU term but stocks them under both labels. What both terms describe: a fixed C/G-shaped frame, a threaded screw passing through one arm with a swivel pad on the end, and a fixed anvil opposite. Tighten the screw to clamp the workpiece between the swivel pad and the anvil. Sizing is described by the clamp's capacity (the maximum jaw opening — typically 50mm to 480mm in AU industrial supply) and throat depth (how far the clamp reaches in from the edge — typically 30mm to 100mm). G-clamp anatomy and sizing — frame, screw, pad, capacity, throat A G-clamp has five working parts and two critical dimensions. Knowing both lets you specify the right clamp for the job. Part What it does What to look for Frame (the "G/C") Resists the clamping load between the screw and the anvil Forged steel (strongest, premium), SG/ductile iron (mid-tier), plain cast iron (budget, brittle) Threaded screw Drives the swivel pad into the workpiece Rolled lead screw thread — smoother action than cut thread; T-handle vs ball-end vs sliding bar handle Swivel pad Distributes clamping force on the workpiece Steel pad (durable, can mark surfaces), ductile/cast pad with swivel joint (better for uneven surfaces) Anvil (fixed jaw) Opposite face the workpiece rests against Should be flat and parallel to the swivel pad at full clamping Handle Tightens and loosens the screw T-handle (most common), sliding bar (heavy-duty), ball-end (precise control) Two critical dimensions to specify: Capacity (jaw opening) — the maximum gap between swivel pad and anvil at fully open. AIMS G-clamps run 75mm at the small end up to 480mm at the heavy-duty end. Match capacity to the thickest workpiece + 25-50mm working margin. Throat depth (reach) — how far the clamp reaches from the edge of the workpiece into the work. Standard throat is 30-50mm; deep-throat G-clamps reach 75-100mm. Critical when clamping in from a flange or panel edge. AIMS G-clamps by size: Trax G Clamp — 75/100/150mm ($17-$27) — light to mid workshop sizing, three capacities Lockjaw 250mm Small Body C-Clamp Swivel Pad Chrome-Moly ($60.96) — premium chrome-moly steel construction Lockjaw 480mm (19") Large C-Clamp Swivel Pad Chrome-Moly ($92.52) — heavy-duty large capacity F-clamps — sliding bar, bigger capacity, lighter force An F-clamp has a sliding bar with two jaws — a fixed jaw at one end, a moving jaw that slides up and down the bar. Tighten the moving jaw's screw to lock it in place against the workpiece. The capacity isn't limited by the frame shape (as with a G-clamp) — F-clamps come in 100mm right up to 1200mm+ capacity. Lower maximum clamping force than a G-clamp of equivalent material, but the longer reach and bigger capacity makes them the choice for larger workpieces. F-clamps are also called "Bessey clamps" colloquially after the dominant German woodworking brand — but Bessey is a brand, not a category. AIMS stocks the Strong Hand Tools F-clamp range; we don't stock Bessey at retail (it's a premium woodworking-focused tier — see scope note below). AIMS F-clamp option: Strong Hand UF100JRM J-Type Ratchet Action Utility Clamp 254mm ($122.64) — workshop F-clamp with ratchet handle for fast adjustment, suits fabrication holding Buying counsel: if you mostly clamp 200mm or under and need strong force (heavy steel fabrication, machinery assembly), G-clamps are the better choice. If you clamp 250mm-1m+ pieces or need fast one-handed adjustment, F-clamps are the better choice. Many workshops keep both. F-clamp vs G-clamp — when each is the right pick Factor G-clamp / C-clamp F-clamp Maximum capacity ~480mm typical workshop range 100mm to 1200mm+ Clamping force Higher (concentrated through stiff frame) Lower (force limited by bar bending under load) Adjustment speed Slower — screw turn for each adjustment Faster — slide the jaw, then short screw turn One-handed use Difficult Possible (especially ratchet F-clamps) Throat depth Fixed by frame design (30-100mm) Varies with bar position Cost per size Cheaper for small sizes (50-200mm) Cheaper for large sizes (250mm+) Best for Heavy fabrication, machinery assembly, holding to bench surface, smaller workpieces requiring high force Larger workpieces, panel work, woodworking glue-ups, situations needing speed over force From r/woodworking (24+ answers): "F-clamps when I need something clamped and Quick-Grips when I don't." The forum consensus is F-clamps for stronger holding, Quick-Grips (one-handed trigger clamps) for fast non-critical holding. Most pro shops run both. Locking C-clamp pliers — Vise-Grip style, hands-free Locking C-clamp pliers combine the geometry of a G/C-clamp with the locking mechanism of locking pliers. Squeeze the handle to clamp — the over-centre toggle locks the jaws closed, freeing both hands. Press the release lever to open. Iconic in welding fabrication where one hand holds the torch and the other manages the work — the locked clamp stays put without continuous attention. The Vise-Grip origin story: "Vise-Grip" is a brand name (originally invented by William Petersen in 1924, now owned by Irwin) that became a generic term for the locking pliers and locking clamp category. AIMS doesn't stock the Irwin Vise-Grip brand at retail — our equivalent is Lockjaw, which is the dominant range in the AIMS clamps collection by inventory volume. From r/Welding (300+ comments thread): "I have Vise Grip brand (original) and Stronghand that have held up for years. My coworker has a few Milwaukee clamps that work great too." Same tier, multiple competing brands. The Lockjaw range at AIMS competes directly with Vise-Grip on capability and pricing. AIMS Lockjaw locking C-clamp range (very high inventory — workshop workhorses): Lockjaw Locking Pliers C-Clamp 230mm + 330mm ($56-$64, 500+215 units in stock) — the standard locking C-clamp pair Lockjaw Locking Clamp with Swivel Head 230mm + 330mm ($56-$68) — swivel pad accommodates uneven surfaces Lockjaw Self-Adjusting Plier C-Clamp Extended Reach 290mm + 455mm ($60-$92) — extended reach for awkward angles Lockjaw 275mm Table C-Clamp Plier with 90mm Jaw Opening ($50.41) — table-mount option for production setups Plus the Excision Xtreme C-Clamp GripLox Plier 250mm + 300mm ($47-$67) as a competing range, and the Trax Locking C-Clamp ($21-$31) at the budget end. Welding clamps — Strong Hand Tools range explained Welding fabrication is the most clamp-intensive workshop activity. Each tack requires the work held precisely and the welder's hands free for the torch and feed. The Strong Hand Tools range at AIMS is built specifically for this — 50+ products covering angle clamping, magnetic positioning, third-hand modular setups, ground clamps, drill press clamps and replacement pads. Strong Hand has copied Bessey's design and runs at lower price points (r/BuyItForLife 12 years ago, r/Welding 180+ comments). Strong Hand welding clamp categories: Table-mount locking C-clamps — Strong Hand PT09 Table Mount Locking C-Clamp 102mm M8 Thread ($61.99). Bolts to the welding table surface, locks the workpiece for repeat positioning. Angle clamping tools (90° corner) — Strong Hand UDL365 Corner Pliers Angle Clamping Tool 90° 50mm ($73.08), 76mm Angle Clamping Tool ($102.31). Perfect right-angle box fabrication — clamp two pieces at 90° in one operation. Saves rework on box welding. Welding finger clamps (Grasshopper-style) — StrongHand 300mm Welding Finger Clamp Grasshopper ($60.90). Long thin clamp reaches into tight spaces panel welding can't otherwise hold. Half clamps and side clamps — Strong Hand VHC15 Half Clamp ($90.89), VSC15 Side Clamp ($83.83). Specialty geometries for awkward welding angles. Grinder rest C-clamps — Strong Hand MGK53 Grinder Rest C-Clamp Base Model ($50.82). Mounts a small grinder securely to the bench for sharpening / dressing work. Drill press clamps — Strong Hand PTD09 Drill Press Clamp ($62.50). Holds the workpiece on the drill press table during drilling — different geometry from a free clamp. For stick welding fabrication and MIG welding shop work, this clamp range is purpose-built. See the Stick Welding Guide and MIG Welding Guide for process context; the clamps are how you keep the work square while welding. Magnetic welding clamps and third-hand setups Magnetic welding clamps eliminate the hand-holding step in tacking operations — the magnet holds the workpiece against the work surface or another magnetic part while the welder positions. Critical for solo welding work where every "third hand" needed is a hand that doesn't exist. AIMS magnetic clamp range: StrongHand MagVise with Adjustable Spindle ($63.50) — magnetic-based vise with adjustable spindle for clamping force control Strong Hand MagVise with Pliers ($52.08) — magnetic base + plier-style clamping head Strong Hand Magnetic Panel Clamp Twin Pack ($34.44) — pair of magnetic panel clamps for double-sided panel positioning Strong Hand Snake Magnet 405mm Cable + Clamp + Flat Magnetic Pad ($52.92) — flexible "snake" arm with magnetic base, ideal for awkward positioning Third-hand modular clamps: for repeat fabrication where the work needs holding at a precise angle or position multiple times, modular third-hand clamps mount to the welding table and hold a workpiece at the configured geometry. Strong Hand HAS40 Welding Table Base Mount Third Hand Modular Clamp ($112.90) bolts to a welding table; HAS42 Universal Base Mount ($96.18) clamps to any flat surface. The "third hand" name comes from the welder's reality — you need a third hand to hold the work while you tack, and this is it. Quick-release / trigger-action clamps Quick-release clamps (also called trigger clamps, one-handed clamps) use a pistol-grip trigger mechanism instead of a screw. Squeeze the trigger to advance the moving jaw; press the release lever to retract. Faster than F-clamps, lower clamping force than G-clamps, ideal for one-handed work where the other hand holds the workpiece. The dominant brand is Irwin Quick-Grip (a brand name that became a generic term for the category, like Vise-Grip). AIMS doesn't stock Irwin Quick-Grip at retail — our equivalent is: Piher 450mm Quick Clamp Trigger Action Nylon & Fibreglass Jaw ($67.87) — Piher is a respected European clamp brand, this is the workshop trigger-action option Abbott & Ashby Workshop Quick Clamp for Bench Vice (2-pack) ($18.68) — budget option, designed to fit Abbott & Ashby bench vices When to choose quick-release over F-clamp: when one-handed operation matters (other hand holding the work, or applying glue, or wiring), and when clamping force ≤ what the trigger mechanism can apply (~150 kg typical). When you need maximum force, go back to G-clamp or screw F-clamp. Construction materials — forged steel vs SG cast iron vs cast iron The frame material determines clamping force capacity, impact resistance and price. Material Tier Properties Best for Drop-forged steel Premium Highest strength; grain flow follows frame shape; impact-resistant; won't crack under shock load. Most expensive. Heavy fabrication, machinery assembly, daily-use industrial Chrome-molybdenum steel (CrMo) Premium Like forged steel but alloyed for higher hardness and wear resistance. Lockjaw's premium C-clamp range uses this. Daily-use industrial workshop, fabrication trade SG cast iron / ductile iron / nodular iron Mid-tier Cast iron with spheroidal graphite — much more impact-resistant than plain cast iron. AU's Hare & Forbes RPC clamps use this. General workshop, occasional industrial Malleable iron Mid-tier Annealed cast iron — improved ductility. Common on AU industrial G-clamps. General workshop Plain cast iron Budget Cheap but brittle — will crack under shock load. Bunnings DIY tier is mostly this. Light occasional use, not industrial production Forum reality (UK Workshop forum, 2006 thread still relevant): "Record clamps are superior in that they are forged steel, not cast iron. Drop forging imparts grain flow in the forging complimentary to its overall shape." Drop-forged steel is the gold standard; SG/ductile iron is the practical workshop tier; plain cast iron is the budget compromise that's fine for light use but fails when overloaded. The Lockjaw chrome-molybdenum steel range at AIMS — 480mm Large C-Clamp Chrome-Moly and 250mm Small Body C-Clamp Chrome-Moly — is the premium-tier material grade for AU workshop buyers who don't want to source Bessey directly. Frame size, throat depth and reach — match the dimensions to the job Two dimensional decisions to get right: Capacity (jaw opening): the maximum gap when fully open. Always buy capacity at least 25-50mm bigger than the thickest workpiece you'll regularly clamp. Don't try to "just fit" — the screw runs out of thread, the swivel pad ends up unsupported, and clamping force drops to nothing. Throat depth (reach): how far the clamp reaches in from the edge. Standard G-clamps: 30-50mm. Deep-throat G-clamps: 75-100mm. F-clamps vary with bar position. For workpieces wider than your standard clamp can reach, you need either deep-throat clamps or F-clamps. Sizing for AU workshops (rules of thumb): Application Capacity needed Recommended AIMS option Light bench fitting, small parts 50-100mm Trax G Clamp 75/100mm General workshop, medium fabrication 150-250mm Lockjaw 250mm Chrome-Moly, Trax G Clamp 150mm Heavy fabrication, large workpieces 300-480mm Lockjaw 480mm Chrome-Moly Long panels, wider than 500mm F-clamp (varies) Strong Hand UF100JRM F-Clamp 254mm Welding tacking, hands-free Match welding clamp to plate thickness See Strong Hand Tools welding range above Drill press operation Drill press-specific Strong Hand PTD09 Drill Press Clamp Workshop counsel: buy a set covering 75-250mm before you buy specialty welding or magnetic clamps. Standard G-clamps in 4 sizes solve 80% of workshop clamping problems. Specialty clamps come later when specific jobs demand them. Brand reality — Bessey, Lockjaw, Strong Hand, Vise-Grip, Trax The clamp market has clear tier brands. Knowing them helps interpret price differences. Brand Tier Strength AU availability Bessey Premium German engineering, parallel clamps, woodworking-dominant. Drop-forged. Most-respected brand globally. Premium tier — Total Tools, Sydney Tools. Not AIMS. Strong Hand Tools Premium-mid Welding fabrication specialty. Copies Bessey design at lower price. AU industrial standard for welding clamps. AIMS deep range (50+ products) Lockjaw Premium-mid Locking C-clamp pliers, chrome-moly construction. Vise-Grip equivalent. AIMS dominant (highest inventory) Vise-Grip (Irwin) Mid-premium Original locking-pliers brand (1924), now Irwin-owned. Generic-name for locking clamps. Bunnings, Total Tools. Not AIMS. Irwin Quick-Grip Mid Trigger-action one-handed clamps. Generic-name for quick clamps. Bunnings, hardware. Not AIMS. Milwaukee Premium Power tools brand expanding into hand clamps. Locking-clamp range gaining respect on forums. Sydney Tools, Total Tools. Not AIMS. Piher Mid-premium Spanish quick-clamp specialist. Trigger-action with nylon/fibreglass jaws. AIMS (single product currently) Trax Mid-budget Workshop-grade C-clamps + G-clamps. Multiple sizes. Locking versions. AIMS Excision Mid Locking C-clamp pliers, mid-tier construction. AIMS Record / Faithfull / Jorgensen Premium-mid UK/US drop-forged G-clamp specialists. Workshop classic. Specialty importers. Not AIMS. Cast iron generic / no-brand Budget Plain cast iron, brittle, cheap. Will work for light occasional use. Bunnings, hardware. Not AIMS retail. If you need a specific brand AIMS doesn't stock — call (02) 9773 0122. We can usually source through supplier network. AIMS clamp range — Lockjaw, Strong Hand, Trax, Piher, Excision, Abbott & Ashby The complete AIMS clamp range covers workshop, fabrication and welding-shop needs across 121 products at /collections/clamps. Lockjaw dominates by inventory volume; Strong Hand Tools dominates by product diversity (welding specialty); Trax + Piher + Excision fill the workshop tiers. AIMS does not stock Bessey (premium German), Irwin Vise-Grip / Quick-Grip (Bunnings/Total Tools tier), Milwaukee, Record, Faithfull or Jorgensen — different retail channels for those brands. Locking C-clamp pliers (Lockjaw range — workshop workhorse): Lockjaw Locking Pliers C-Clamp 230/330mm Lockjaw Locking Clamp Swivel Head 230/330mm Lockjaw Self-Adjusting Plier Extended Reach 290/455mm Lockjaw Table C-Clamp Plier 275mm Lockjaw Small Body C-Clamp Chrome-Moly 250mm Lockjaw Large C-Clamp Chrome-Moly 480mm G-clamps and standard C-clamps (Trax): Trax G Clamp 75/100/150mm Trax Locking C-Clamp 169/278mm Trax Locking C-Clamp with Swivel Pad F-clamps and ratchet utility clamps (Strong Hand): Strong Hand UF100JRM J-Type Ratchet F-Clamp 254mm Welding specialty (Strong Hand Tools — the deepest welding-clamp range at AIMS): Strong Hand PT09 Table-Mount Locking C-Clamp Strong Hand MGK53 Grinder Rest C-Clamp Strong Hand PTD09 Drill Press Clamp Strong Hand UDL365 90° Corner Angle Clamping Tool 50mm Strong Hand 76mm Angle Clamping Tool StrongHand 300mm Welding Finger Clamp Grasshopper Strong Hand VHC15 Half Clamp Strong Hand VSC15 Side Clamp Strong Hand HAS40 Welding Table Base Mount Third Hand Strong Hand HAS42 Universal Base Mount Third Hand Magnetic welding clamps: StrongHand MagVise with Adjustable Spindle Strong Hand MagVise with Pliers Strong Hand Magnetic Panel Clamp Twin Pack Strong Hand Snake Magnet with Cable, Clamp & Flat Pad Quick-release / trigger-action: Piher 450mm Quick Clamp Trigger Action Abbott & Ashby Workshop Quick Clamp for Bench Vice 2-Pack Other locking: Excision Xtreme C-Clamp GripLox Plier 250/300mm Woodworking clamps — honest scope (not AIMS supply) AIMS does not stock the woodworking specialty clamp range. The following product categories are better served by Bunnings, Sydney Tools, Total Tools, Trade Tools or specialty woodworking retailers (Carbatec, Timbecon, Carrolls Woodcraft): Woodworking clamp type Use Where to buy Bessey parallel clamps Cabinet making, panel glue-ups — parallel jaws stay flat across the workpiece Carbatec, Timbecon, Total Tools Irwin Quick-Grip woodworking One-handed wood gluing, lighter than F-clamps Bunnings, hardware Pipe clamps (Pony, Jorgensen) Long workpieces — clamping a tabletop or bench top Specialty woodworking Spring clamps Light holding for thin material, hose work, model making Bunnings, craft stores Cabinet hardware clamps Drawer fronts, hinge installation Hardware specialty Sash clamps Door and window frame assembly Carbatec, Timbecon AIMS supply focuses on industrial workshop and fabrication — Lockjaw locking clamps, Strong Hand welding range, Trax workshop tier. For woodworking, see the specialty retailers above. If you have a mixed shop (some metal, some wood), keep the two clamp categories physically separated — woodworking clamps often have wide soft pads that don't grip metal well; metal clamps' steel pads damage finished wood. Common mistakes — 8 forum-validated errors Mistake Why it fails Fix Buying cheap cast iron G-clamps for production Plain cast iron is brittle — cracks under shock load or over-torquing. Frames fail unpredictably. Forged steel for daily use; chrome-moly for premium; SG/ductile iron for general workshop. Avoid plain cast iron in production. Over-tightening G-clamps Bend the frame, crack cast iron, strip the screw threads. The clamp deforms but the user thinks the workpiece is "clamped tight" — false security. Tighten only to the resistance you need. If the workpiece still moves at moderate force, use a larger clamp or two clamps in parallel. Steel swivel pad on polished or soft surfaces Marks the workpiece — paint, polish, aluminium, copper, brass. Damage is permanent. Use a soft pad insert (rubber, plastic), or place a scrap of wood/leather between the pad and the workpiece. Strong Hand sells soft pad inserts for the UB/UD/UE/UF/UG/UM/UP series. Single-clamp setup for fabrication tacking One clamp creates a pivot point — the work rotates around it. Tacks pull the assembly out of square. Two or more clamps minimum for any fabrication tack. Use angle clamping tools (Strong Hand UDL365) for 90° box fabrication. Wrong clamp size for the job Capacity too small = no room to clamp; capacity too big = screw at near-full extension is unsupported and weak. Match capacity to workpiece thickness + 25-50mm margin. Don't try to make a 100mm clamp work on 95mm material. Mismatched welding clamp for plate thickness Magnetic clamps on thin sheet bend the sheet; angle clamps designed for 6mm plate are weak on 25mm plate. Match welding clamp design to plate thickness — Strong Hand product range is sized by capacity and intended fabrication tier. Ignoring jaw geometry for the surface Flat-jaw G-clamps on a curved or angled surface = point loading + slip-off. Swivel pads accommodate uneven surfaces. Use swivel-pad G-clamps for non-flat surfaces (Lockjaw Swivel Head range, Trax with Swivel Pad). No replacement pad strategy Worn pad = reduced clamping force, marked workpieces, eventual screw damage. Workshop ignores until clamp fails. Buy replacement pads as part of initial purchase — Strong Hand replacement pad kits for UB/UD/UE/UF/UG series are cheap insurance. Care and maintenance — preventing seized threads Clamps last years if maintained. Three failure modes dominate: Seized threads — workshop dust, rust and metal swarf accumulate on the lead screw. Eventually the screw won't turn. Lubricate the thread monthly with a light oil (3-in-1, light machine oil). Don't use heavy grease — it traps swarf and accelerates seizing. Worn swivel pads — daily-use clamps wear the pad to a tilted face after months. Replace pads (Strong Hand replacement range, or generic pads from /collections/clamps) before the worn pad damages workpieces. Bent frames — over-tightening or shock load bends a cast iron frame slightly out of square. The clamp still works but doesn't grip parallel. Replace the clamp rather than try to straighten — bent cast iron is weakened. For locking C-clamp pliers (Lockjaw, Strong Hand PT09): occasionally clean the adjustment screw thread with brake cleaner or thread cleaning brush + light oil. The locking mechanism's spring may eventually weaken — replace the clamp rather than the spring. Wear safety glasses when working with clamps — locking-clamp release under unexpected load can fling the work or the clamp itself. Frequently Asked Questions Are G-clamp and C-clamp the same thing? Yes. G-clamp and C-clamp refer to the same tool — the AU/UK term is "G-clamp" (frame resembles a G); the US term is "C-clamp" (frame resembles a C). Same geometry, same use, same product. Lowe's (US retailer) is explicit: "The terms C-clamp and G-clamp refer to the same type of clamp." AU vendors split between the terms — Bunnings uses G-clamp, RS Components calls them "G/C Clamps." AIMS uses G-clamp throughout. What is the difference between an F-clamp and a G-clamp? G-clamps have a fixed C/G-shaped frame with a screw at one end — capacity limited by the frame (typically 50-480mm), force concentrated by the stiff frame. F-clamps have a sliding bar with two jaws — capacity unlimited by frame (100mm to 1200mm+), force lower because the bar bends under load. Choose G-clamp for high-force smaller workpieces; choose F-clamp for larger workpieces and faster adjustment. Most workshops keep both. What is a G-clamp used for? Holding workpieces during machining, welding, drilling, gluing, sawing, sanding and assembly. The G-clamp is the workshop's general-purpose temporary holder — applies controlled pressure to keep parts immobile while the operation runs. Sizes from 50mm (small bench work) to 480mm (heavy fabrication) cover most workshop tasks. Pair G-clamps with a bench vice for the most flexible holding setup. What is an F-clamp used for? Holding longer or wider workpieces than a G-clamp can accommodate — typically panels, frames, long timber, or assemblies that exceed 250mm thickness. F-clamps have a sliding bar that lets the capacity reach 1200mm+, and the moving jaw adjusts faster than a G-clamp screw. Common in woodworking glue-ups, panel fabrication, and heavy assembly. Lower clamping force than equivalent-size G-clamps but bigger reach. What is the difference between a locking C-clamp and a regular C-clamp? A regular C-clamp uses a threaded screw — turn the handle to tighten. A locking C-clamp (often called Vise-Grip C-clamp) uses an over-centre toggle mechanism — squeeze the handles together to clamp, the toggle locks. Both hands are then free. Press the release lever to open. The locking version is much faster for repeat tacking work in welding fabrication. The downside is a lower maximum clamping force than a screw-type G/C-clamp of the same size. AIMS stocks the Lockjaw range as the workshop locking-clamp option. What is the strongest type of clamp? For maximum clamping force per dollar, a drop-forged steel G-clamp wins. For force per setup speed, an F-clamp with screw or ratchet handle is faster. For one-handed locking force, locking C-clamp pliers (Vise-Grip / Lockjaw) hold both hands free. The "strongest" depends on what you're optimising — force, speed, or hands-free locking. A heavy-duty drop-forged 12" G-clamp will deliver 5,000+ kg of clamping force. What is the difference between forged steel and cast iron G-clamps? Drop-forged steel is forged under heat and pressure — the grain flow follows the frame shape, giving maximum strength and impact resistance. SG/ductile/nodular cast iron is cast in moulds, then chemically modified for ductility (less brittle than plain cast iron). Plain cast iron is the cheapest — brittle, will crack under shock load. Forged steel is premium tier (workshop-daily); SG/ductile cast iron is mid-tier (general workshop); plain cast iron is budget (light occasional use). The Lockjaw chrome-molybdenum steel range at AIMS is the premium tier. What clamps do welders use? Welders use specialty welding clamps from the Strong Hand Tools range: angle clamping tools (90° corner pliers, UDL365), locking C-clamps that bolt to the welding table (PT09 Table Mount), magnetic clamps (MagVise, Snake Magnet, Panel Clamps), third-hand modular setups (HAS40, HAS42), grinder rest clamps (MGK53), drill press clamps (PTD09), and Grasshopper-style welding finger clamps (300mm) for tight space holding. The Strong Hand range at AIMS covers all of these. For positioning thin sheet, magnetic clamps eliminate hand-holding completely. What is a magnetic welding clamp? A magnetic welding clamp uses a rare-earth magnet base to hold the clamp body to the workpiece or work surface. The welder positions the workpiece against the magnet, then the clamp's jaw or arm holds the second piece in position — hands-free. Critical for solo welding work where you don't have a third hand. AIMS magnetic clamp options: StrongHand MagVise with Adjustable Spindle, MagVise with Pliers, Snake Magnet 405mm, and Magnetic Panel Clamp Twin Pack. What is a third hand welding clamp? A third hand welding clamp is a modular workholding setup that mounts to the welding table (or any flat surface) and holds the workpiece at a configured angle or position. The "third hand" refers to the welder's reality of needing a third hand to hold the work while you tack — and this is it. Strong Hand HAS40 (welding table base mount) and HAS42 (universal base mount) are the AIMS options. For repeat fabrication where the same piece needs holding at the same angle multiple times, third hand setups save time over re-clamping with G-clamps each cycle. What's the difference between a clamp and a vice? A vice is bench-mounted — bolted to a workbench, fixed location. A clamp is portable — used wherever the work happens. Both hold workpieces under controlled force, but vices are for sustained holding at a fixed station, clamps for temporary/portable holding. Many workshops use both — clamp the work in the vice for the most flexible holding (e.g. clamp a small part to a flat plate, then hold the plate in the vice). See the Bench Vice Guide for vice selection. How do I choose the right size G-clamp? Match capacity (jaw opening) to your workpiece thickness + 25-50mm working margin. A typical workshop set covers 75mm, 100mm, 150mm and 250mm capacities — solving 80% of workshop clamping problems. Heavy fabrication needs larger (300-480mm). For workpieces too wide for any G-clamp, switch to F-clamps. Also consider throat depth (reach from edge) — standard 30-50mm, deep-throat 75-100mm. AIMS G-clamp range covers 75mm (Trax) up to 480mm (Lockjaw Chrome-Moly 480mm). What is a quick-release clamp / Quick-Grip? A quick-release or trigger-action clamp uses a pistol-grip squeeze trigger instead of a screw. Squeeze the trigger to advance the moving jaw; press the release lever to retract. Faster than F-clamps, lower clamping force than G-clamps. Iconic brand: Irwin Quick-Grip (which became a generic name for the category, like Vise-Grip). AIMS doesn't stock Irwin Quick-Grip at retail — our equivalent is the Piher 450mm Quick Clamp Trigger Action and Abbott & Ashby Workshop Quick Clamp 2-Pack. Are Strong Hand Tools clamps as good as Bessey? For welding fabrication: yes, with caveats. Strong Hand Tools has copied many Bessey designs at lower price points — workshop and forum consensus from r/Welding (180+ comments thread) and r/BuyItForLife is that the Strong Hand light-duty welding clamps perform similarly to Bessey at a fraction of the price. For premium woodworking parallel clamps (Bessey's signature product), Strong Hand doesn't compete — Bessey is unmatched there. AIMS stocks Strong Hand because they hit the AU welding-shop sweet spot of capability + price; we don't stock Bessey at retail (their woodworking-dominant range targets a different retail channel). Why does AIMS not stock Bessey or Irwin Quick-Grip woodworking clamps? AIMS is an industrial supply business focused on workshop, fabrication, welding and engineering trades. Bessey's premium parallel clamps and Irwin's Quick-Grip woodworking line are better served by specialty woodworking retailers (Carbatec, Timbecon, Carrolls Woodcraft) and big-box hardware (Bunnings, Total Tools). AIMS dives deep on the industrial clamp range — Lockjaw locking pliers (workshop workhorse), Strong Hand Tools welding specialty (50+ products), Trax workshop tier, Piher quick clamps. If you need Bessey or Irwin specifically, call AIMS on (02) 9773 0122 — we can sometimes source through supplier network. Share: Share on Facebook Share on X Pin on Pinterest Previous Post What clamp do I need for gluing wood? F-clamps and sash clamps are the standard choice for woodworking glue-ups. F-clamps suit panel work and small assemblies where you need quick adjustment across a range of sizes. Sash clamps are long bar clamps designed for cabinet doors, tabletops and panel edge-joining. Use cauls or scrap timber between the clamp jaws and the workpiece to spread pressure and avoid marking the timber. Is a G-clamp the same as a C-clamp? Yes — G-clamp is the Australian and UK name; C-clamp is the American name. Both describe the same tool: a fixed C-shaped frame with a threaded screw and swivel pad that closes onto the workpiece. They are used interchangeably across welding, metalwork, machining and woodworking, with sizes typically ranging from 50mm to 300mm jaw opening. What's the difference between a clamp and a vice? A clamp is a portable tool you place onto a workpiece to hold parts together temporarily. A vice is a fixed device mounted to a bench or stand that holds a workpiece stationary while you work on it. Clamps come off when the job is done; vices are permanent workshop fixtures. Both apply pressure through a screw mechanism, but they serve different roles. Can I use a clamp instead of welding to hold pipes? Pipe clamps and U-bolts can hold pipes mechanically for support, fixing to structures, or temporary alignment during fit-up. They are not a substitute for welding when the joint needs to be sealed or carry load. For permanent gas, water, hydraulic or structural pipework, use the correct fitting or welded joint. Use clamps to align and tack during fit-up, then remove once the joint is finalised.
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