Abstract: The specification describes a tool more especially for bending tubes and rods in which the rod or tube is acted upon by a pressing part mounted on a thrust rod. The thrust rod is arranged to be moved along its axis by means of a lever operated advancing lever which makes frictional engagement at edges engaging the thrust rod on opposite sides of the latter. Between repeated reciprocating movements of the advancing lever the thrust rod is retained by a sprag having a hole through which the thrust rod passes. This hole has diametrally opposite clamping edges for engaging the thrust rod. The thrust rod is adapted to be released by a blow against a release knob which indirectly acts on the sprag bringing it out of engagement with the thrust rod.