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Bending small tube for brakes and fuel

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by jeep4x4greg, Oct 19, 2007.

  1. Oct 19, 2007
    jeep4x4greg

    jeep4x4greg Member

    Central IL
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2006
    Messages:
    117
    i was attempting to bend some of the new fuel lines for my 2A last night....5/16" line, aluminum.

    I have one of those cheapy benders with no moving parts.....looks like a small scale conduit bender.

    the tubes kept flattening out. it didnt support the sides of the tube well enough for the 5/16" tube.....would probably work better on larger tube though.

    I tried packing them with sand, which is an old trick some aircraft guys taught me, but that didnt work....



    is there a hand held bender that works better?

    i did a search online and found something like this:
    KD Tools Tubing Bender - Model KDS2189 at Sears.com

    this:
    Imperial Triple-Head Tube Bender with Roto-Lok Indexing Handle - Model 47299 at Sears.com


    and also this:

    Tubing Bender - LIS44000


    are those any better?

    it wont be the last time i have to bend tube for brakes or fuel so i dont mind buying a good part this time. the cheapy bender i've had since high school.
     
  2. Oct 19, 2007
    karlvin08

    karlvin08 I R SMRT

    Clarksville, TN
    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2006
    Messages:
    81
    We use one like the imperial one alot here at work for bending copper and steel lines and it works nice. I would just recommend getting some extra tubing to play with so you can get used to it a bit first then after that you should be golden
     
  3. Oct 19, 2007
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    I've got the Lisle, the last one listed at work. It's "ok" but I suspect the others would be better. The Lisle is hard if not impossible to do compound curves with and can't do switch back bends close together. Basically good for bends in a straight line or far apart. Nickmil
     
  4. Oct 19, 2007
    JeepTherapy

    JeepTherapy Sponsor

    Negaunee, Michigan
    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2006
    Messages:
    695
    I use the first one, mine turned out like this;

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Oct 19, 2007
    hudsonhawk

    hudsonhawk Well-Known Member

    North Texas...
    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2005
    Messages:
    1,937
    Slightly off-topic.

    I always heard not to use aluminum line for brakes or fuel because of the fatigue factor. What is everyones experience with it?
     
  6. Oct 19, 2007
    jeep4x4greg

    jeep4x4greg Member

    Central IL
    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2006
    Messages:
    117

    it depends where and how its used.

    the runs i was making were very short, with very little load on them....so i wasnt worried about using alum. in this instance.

    for the longer runs like tank to pump, I will use steel or stainless without a doubt.

    brakes, i would stick to steel....I dont have any data to support that aluminum would fatigue and split in this application, i just think that if my life is depending on my brakes, i dont want to risk it, so i'd use the best material possible.
     
  7. Oct 19, 2007
    twiggs

    twiggs Work in progress

    Blue Ridge, GA
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2005
    Messages:
    105
    Another vote for option #1. I've got one, and it does a pretty good job. You just need to practice with it a bit to get the hang of it.

    It comes with a couple of different size dies, so you can go from brake to fuel lines in a few seconds.
     
  8. Oct 19, 2007
    1970CJ6

    1970CJ6 new mexico air

    rio rancho, new...
    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2005
    Messages:
    630
    Another one for option # 1.
    I use one like that almost every day at work on air compressor repair.
    I did wear one out after about 10 years, the pivet got loose but that was after 1000's of bends.
    Make sure you get one that has a 5/16 slot. Alot have 3/16-1/4-3/8 only.

    Andrew
     
  9. Oct 19, 2007
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2007
    Messages:
    1,577
    I'll freeze this computer if I open the links, but I know plumpers use this spring looking thing to bend copper, good clean bends. It may be your ticket?
     
  10. Oct 19, 2007
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    Those work great on tube with at least one end free of a fitting or flare. If you are trying to bend tube that already has both ends flared it's hard to impossible to get them over the fitting. Nickmil
     
  11. Oct 19, 2007
    sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    Albuquerque, NM
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2007
    Messages:
    1,577
    I stand corrected.
    Carry on fellas!
     
  12. Oct 24, 2007
    Wmi68CJ5

    Wmi68CJ5 Let the Sun Shine!

    Twin Lake MI
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2006
    Messages:
    739
    I like the #2 option. I have one like it and have had good success with it. Simple to use. Definitely practice with the new tool.........
     
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