General 153 Manual Compound Tube Bender 3/8 Inch

Product Description

The GENERAL 153 is a manual compound tube bender designed for field and shop use across plumbing, HVAC, and refrigeration trades. It handles tubing from 3/16 inch minimum up to 3/8 inch maximum capacity, making it suitable for a wide range of small-diameter bending tasks. Compatible materials include copper, brass, steel, aluminum, thin wall tubing, and softwire rod. The compound action mechanism reduces the hand force required to form consistent, kink-free bends. Plumbers, HVAC technicians, and refrigeration mechanics rely on this style of bender when routing refrigerant lines, water supply tubing, or instrument piping in tight spaces.

The GENERAL 153 is well suited for light commercial and residential installations where bending small-diameter tubing by hand is preferable to powered equipment. Common applications include bending copper refrigerant line sets, brass fittings work, and aluminum or steel instrument tubing. Its compact form factor makes it practical for service vans and jobsite kits where space is limited. The range of compatible materials gives technicians flexibility when working across multiple trade disciplines on the same job.

Key Features

• Compound bending action reduces required hand force for cleaner, kink-free bends
• Maximum tube capacity of 3/8 inch accommodates common refrigerant and plumbing line sizes
• Minimum tube capacity of 3/16 inch extends usefulness to small-diameter instrument and softwire applications
• Compatible with copper, brass, steel, aluminum, thin wall tubing, and softwire rod
• Manual operation requires no power source — ready for field use anywhere
• Compact and lightweight at 0.825 pounds, suitable for tool bags and service kits

Compatibility

Designed for use with copper, brass, steel, aluminum, thin wall tubing, and softwire rod in the 3/16 inch to 3/8 inch outside diameter range. Suitable for general plumbing, HVAC, and refrigeration tubing bending applications.

Installation Notes

Tube bending is typically performed by licensed HVAC technicians, plumbers, or refrigeration mechanics as part of line-set routing or piping fabrication. Before bending, verify that tubing is free of burrs and debris to prevent kinking during the bend. Follow manufacturer bend radius guidelines and applicable mechanical codes when routing tubing through walls, floors, or mechanical enclosures. Inspect each bend for ovality or wall thinning before placing the tubing into service.