Abstract: A gripper and mandrel assembly for a tube bender, particularly a bender of the stretch type. At least two gripper jaws close about an end of a tubular workpiece when actuated by the cone portion of a slideable shaft. The same shaft has a cable and ball type mandrel extending outwardly from its distal end. During a stroke of the shaft from the DISENGAGE to the ENGAGE position of the assembly, the shaft both drives the mandrel into the workpiece and also causes the jaws to close about the end of the tube. When in the ENGAGE position, the distal end of the shaft is inside the tube in order to prevent the gripper jaws from deforming or otherwise causing excessive damage to the workpiece end. An abrasive coating partially covers the inner surface of the recess of the gripper jaw that contacts the outer wall of the workpiece in order to insure a firm grasp of the workpiece by the gripper jaws. A tube bender would have at least two assemblies, one to grasp each end of a tubular workpiece.