Tube Expanding Equipment | Cordless and Hydraulic Models

What Is Tube Expanding Equipment?

Tube expanding equipment consists of professional service tools used to expand the ends of copper and aluminum tubes used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems to create a swage joint. In air conditioner, cold room, refrigerated cabinet and industrial chiller installations, the tube end must be expanded to a specific diameter to join two tubes without brazing a fitting or using a flare nut. This is exactly where tube expander (tube swaging) equipment comes into play.

For HVAC technicians, tube expanding is part of the daily routine. An expansion made to the correct diameter, crack-free on the inside and square is the precondition for a leak-tight brazed joint. At Yedepa.com we offer cordless and hydraulic tube expanding solutions from Super Stars, Hengsen and Value under one roof. In this guide we will cover the product families, the differences between models, which machine to choose for which job, and maintenance tips for long-lasting use.

Working Principle and Technical Details

The basic principle of tube expanding is to force the inner diameter of the tube outward with a conical or cylindrical head. Expansion can be done with mechanical (lever), hydraulic or electric (cordless) drive. The Value VHE 29E compatible heads in the Yedepa catalog distribute the hydraulic pump pressure evenly over the inner surface of the tube to form a neat swage. Cordless models such as the Super Stars ST-E300A and ST-E300AL convert lithium-ion battery energy into linear motion, allowing you to do the same job one-handed under field conditions.

There are three basic parameters in evaluating a professional tube expanding machine: expansion force (kN), head range (inch / mm) and drive type (cordless / hydraulic / mechanical). The temper of the copper tube (annealed soft or half-hard) also affects the choice. Annealed copper tube expands with less force, while for hard copper tube heads that advance in a controlled, gradual manner are preferred to reduce the risk of cracking.

Head sizes: The most commonly used range is from 1/4" (6.35 mm) to 1-5/8" (41.3 mm).
Battery voltage: 11.1V Li-ion (3S) is standard for professional portability.
Charging time: Typically 60-90 minutes for 2200 mAh cells.
Hydraulic pressure: Value VHE series pumps can produce approx. 6-8 tons of thrust.

Tube Expanding Equipment Types and Models

There are three main groups of tube expanding solutions on the market. The Yedepa.com catalog is designed to cover all three groups:

Cordless Electromechanical Tube Expanding Machines: The most suitable option for field use. The Super Stars ST-E300A and the Super Stars ST-E300AL, which has a wider head set, are the leading examples in this class. With an 11.1V 2200 mAh battery you can complete an average day's installation work on a single charge.
Hydraulic Tube Expanding Sets: For workshop and heavy industrial use. The CH-100AL Tube Expanding Set (3/8" - 1-5/8") is one of the most comprehensive solutions in this class; it comes with more than 8 heads in a single carrying case.
Mechanical (Lever / Screw) Expander Heads: Spare heads compatible with the Value VHE 29E in 1/2", 5/8", 7/8", 1", 1-1/4" and 1-1/2"; economical solutions that complement your existing machine.

Brand Comparison: Super Stars, Hengsen, Value

Super Stars is one of the most preferred brands in the Turkish HVAC market for cordless service equipment. The ST-E300 series machines stand out with their ergonomic pistol-grip form and fast head change. Hengsen is known for hydraulic sets and affordable spare head kits; with the CH-100AL Tube Expanding Set it is the favorite of technicians working across a wide diameter range. Value, with its globally recognized VHE 29E hydraulic expander platform, extends the life of your service equipment by offering numerous spare head options.

Brand	Strength	Ideal User
Super Stars	Cordless portability, fast head change	Field installer, air conditioner technician
Hengsen	Complete set, wide diameter range	Workshop, cold room company
Value	Hydraulic durability, abundant spare heads	Industrial service, chiller maintenance

Which Model to Choose? Decision Guide

There are a few basic questions a technician choosing a tube expanding machine should ask:

Where the work is done: Do you mostly work in the field, at the customer's premises? If your answer is "yes", a cordless model is essential. The Super Stars ST-E300AL stands out here.
Diameter range: Which diameters do you work on most often? For residential split air conditioner work between 1/4" - 7/8", the ST-E300A is sufficient. For VRF, commercial air conditioning and cold room work at 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" and above, the CH-100AL set or the Value VHE 29E system is required.
Workload: If you make more than 5-10 joints a day, choose hydraulic or cordless; you will protect your wrist and your productivity.
Budget: Spare heads (Value 1/2", 5/8", 7/8", 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" heads) keep your existing hydraulic body going for years.

Yedepa.com customer representatives can recommend the most suitable configuration for you after learning the temper of the tubes you use and your daily workload.

Tube Expanding Equipment Available on Yedepa.com

The following current products are in our stock; when you order from the same category, they can be shipped in a single package:

ST-E300AL Cordless Rechargeable Tube Expanding Machine 11.1V 2200 mAh — Super Stars brand, a professional solution including a wide head set.
ST-E300A Cordless Rechargeable Tube Expanding Machine 11.1V 2200 mAh — Super Stars brand, an economical cordless model with a standard head set.
CH-100AL Tube Expanding Set (3/8" - 1-5/8") — Hengsen brand, wide diameter range.
Value VHE 29E Compatible 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) Hydraulic Spare Head — Large-diameter cold room and chiller applications.
Value VHE 29E Compatible 1-1/4" (31.75 mm) Hydraulic Spare Head — Commercial air conditioning and VRF applications.
Value VHE 29E Compatible 1" (25.4 mm) Hydraulic Spare Head — Medium-to-large diameter applications.
Value VHE 29E Compatible 7/8" (22.225 mm) Hydraulic Spare Head — Main line diameter of split air conditioner outdoor units.
Value VHE 29E Compatible 5/8" (15.875 mm) Hydraulic Spare Head — Multi-split and VRF branch lines.
Value VHE 29E Compatible 1/2" (12.7 mm) Hydraulic Spare Head — Standard split air conditioners.
Hengsen Copper Tube Expander Head Set of 4 — Economical mechanical head set.

Professional Selection Criteria

When evaluating a tube expanding machine, we recommend looking not only at the price but also at the following criteria:

Head material: Hardened steel heads last much longer than ordinary cast heads. Value and Super Stars heads are in this class.
Square expansion: There should be no burrs or deviation from the axis on the inner surface of the tube. The ST-E300 series minimizes this problem with automatic centering.
Battery cycles: The 11.1V 2200 mAh Li-ion battery lasts 500+ charge cycles with proper care.
Spare parts availability: Yedepa keeps individual spare heads in six different diameters for the Value VHE 29E, keeping your machine going for years.
Carrying case: In sets such as the CH-100AL, the hard carrying case protects the heads against impact.
Warranty and technical support: Yedepa provides technical support in Turkish for all the Super Stars, Hengsen and Value products it sells.

Usage Steps and Correct Technique

Doing the tube expansion correctly is the precondition for a leak-free brazed joint. Here is a reliable workflow:

Cut the tube perfectly square; a burred cut causes the head to slip off-axis.
Ream the burrs from the inner diameter of the tube and blow the copper chips inside outward.
Select the head of the correct diameter; open the clamping nut fully and insert the tube.
On cordless models, squeeze the trigger in steps; do not force it. On hydraulic models, operate the lever with a slow, steady rhythm.
When the expansion is complete, remove the tube; visually check that there are no cracks or tears on the inner surface.
Never braze a burred or cracked tube; cut it again.

Use and Maintenance Recommendations

Since tube expanding equipment operates under high mechanical load, regular maintenance directly affects its life and performance:

Lubricate the heads: Every 50 operations, lubricate the outer cone of the head with light machine oil. It reduces friction and prevents burrs.
Battery storage: Store the Super Stars ST-E300A and ST-E300AL batteries at 40-60% charge in an environment of 10-25°C. A Li-ion battery left empty dies quickly.
Hydraulic pump oil: On Value VHE series pumps, check the oil level at the start of each season; use ISO VG 32 oil of the viscosity recommended by the manufacturer.
Head cleaning: Copper chips can get inside the head; clean it with compressed air at the end of each day.
Transport: Store the heads in the dedicated compartments of the case; avoid bare metal-to-metal contact.

These small maintenance routines ensure that an ST-E300AL or a CH-100AL set works with first-day performance for 5-7 years.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between the ST-E300A and the ST-E300AL?
Both are 11.1V 2200 mAh cordless Super Stars tube expanding machines. The main difference is that the ST-E300AL model has a wider head set and heads optimized for aluminum tubes. The ST-E300A is the standard set, while the ST-E300AL appeals to technicians who work with both aluminum and copper.

Q2: Are Value VHE 29E heads compatible with other brands?
The 1/2", 5/8", 7/8", 1", 1-1/4" and 1-1/2" heads produced for the Value VHE 29E work with many hydraulic expander bodies of the same geometry. Nevertheless, we recommend checking your body dimensions before buying.

Q3: Should a cordless machine or a hydraulic set be preferred?
Cordless should be preferred for field work and residential air conditioner installation; a hydraulic set for large-diameter work such as cold rooms, commercial air conditioning and VRF. Many companies keep both solutions.

Q4: Does the hardness of the copper tube affect expansion?
Yes. Half-hard copper must be heat-treated (annealed with oxy-acetylene) before expanding, or annealed (soft) copper tube should be preferred. Otherwise cracks form at the head exit.

Q5: When will the product I order from Yedepa.com arrive?
Tube expanding equipment in stock is delivered across Turkey within 1-3 business days after order confirmation.

Q6: How many heads are in the CH-100AL set and which diameters does it cover?
The Hengsen CH-100AL Tube Expanding Set has a head set covering the main diameters between 3/8" and 1-5/8"; this range covers most air conditioning and cold room work.

Conclusion and Yedepa Advantages

Tube expanding equipment is among the most critical service tools in the HVAC sector. Choosing the right product directly affects your work quality, installation time and leak-free joint rate. At Yedepa.com we offer solutions across a wide range, from Super Stars cordless models to Hengsen hydraulic sets, and from Value VHE 29E spare heads to mechanical head sets.

Yedepa advantages:

Technical support in Turkish and technician-friendly consultancy.
Fast shipping from stock and invoiced sales.
Individual spare heads in six different diameters for the Value VHE 29E — a Yedepa exclusive.
A wide product tree in which you can gather your service equipment in a single cart.
OEM-compatible, official distribution of original brands.

Working with an ST-E300AL in the field, keeping a CH-100AL hydraulic set in your workshop and having a Value VHE 29E compatible head in every diameter at hand — Yedepa.com makes this combination possible for you. The right tool means the right job.