Ridgid 38038 Manual Tubing Bender 5/16 in Capacity

Product Description

The RIDGID 38038 is a manual tubing bender designed for field and shop use by HVAC technicians, plumbers, and pipefitters who need precise, repeatable bends in copper, steel, stainless steel, and titanium tubing. It handles tubing up to 5/16 inches in diameter with a 15/16 inch bend radius. At 21 inches in overall length and 4.1 pounds, it is built for hands-on use without requiring power equipment. The lever-action bending mechanism allows controlled angle bends in a single motion, reducing the risk of kinking or collapsing tubing walls during the bend.

This bender is suited for residential and light commercial HVAC refrigerant line work, plumbing rough-in, and instrumentation tubing applications. It is commonly used when forming bends in small-diameter tubing runs where a powered bender is impractical or unavailable. The 38038 is appropriate for job-site use as well as shop fabrication, and its compact profile makes it easy to transport in a tool bag or service van.

Key Features

• Handles tubing up to 5/16 inches maximum diameter
• 15/16 inch bend radius for tight, controlled bends
• Compatible with stainless steel, steel, and titanium tubing in addition to standard copper
• 21 inches overall length provides leverage for consistent bends
• Lightweight at 4.1 pounds for easy one-handed transport
• No power source required — fully manual operation

Compatibility

Designed for use with small-diameter tubing in stainless steel, steel, and titanium up to 5/16 inches. Suitable as a manual bending tool for HVAC refrigerant lines, plumbing, and instrumentation tubing applications requiring a 15/16 inch bend radius.

Installation Notes

Installation and use should be performed by a qualified HVAC technician, plumber, or pipefitter familiar with tubing fabrication. Ensure the tubing is properly seated in the bending shoe before applying force to prevent kinking. De-burr and clean tubing ends before bending to maintain consistent wall integrity. Always verify local mechanical codes for minimum bend radius requirements on pressurized lines.