Appreciation post: manual tube expanders vs the hydraulic crap

I spent 10 years fighting with those old hydraulic tube expanders on condenser jobs down in Baton Rouge. They'd leak oil, you'd have to bleed the lines every time, and the pressure was never consistent. Plus hauling that heavy pump up 4 flights of stairs on a retrofit job was a nightmare. Last month I finally caved and bought a manual torque-controlled expander from a guy at the union hall. Cost me $180 but it was worth every penny. No fluid, no seals to blow out, and I can feel exactly when the tube seats against the tube sheet. I swear I finish tube bundles in half the time now. Has anyone else switched back to manual tools after dealing with hydraulic headaches?

2 comments

2 Comments

lopez.karen17d ago

Did your buddy ever get that weird hydraulic burn on his arm from the hose blowing out mid-crimp? I know a guy who had that happen and he jokes his left arm is more seasoned than his right now.

grant_hart17d ago

Told him to just rub some bacon grease on it and wrap it in duct tape until he could see a doc. He actually did that and it healed fine, no joke.