Hand form able brake lines

rgatijnet1 wrote:
They also make the inexpensive spring type tubing benders that work great for forming steel brake lines. These come in various sizes and you just slip the 8" or so long spring over the line, bend it, and pull the spring off. Then you use a double flare tool to form the ends.

Thanks for the spring idea, I see where you can buy them on line, do any of the local hardware stores, auto stores or HF carry a spring for a 3/16 hydraulic line? I am thinking this could also be used with the copper nickel or copper zinc alloyed tubes.

Tinstar wrote:
Any auto parts store that makes hydraulic lines should be able to make you a flexible one or make a solid one for you. I've had several made at a parts house near me.

Tried Autozone and Napa they won't bend them but Napa has the copper zinc alloy which is suppose to be hand form able. The guy at Napa was not sure how tight a radius it would form to. I need a 1/2 in radius max, smaller is better.

time2roll wrote:
I have a bending tool and it seemed to work fine with stainless steel lines.

Stainless is great if you want "shiny", like for a street rod. NiCopp last longer than plain steel and can be easily bent by hand plus even those cheap flare tools work well !

Find an Auto racing supply shop. Earls has stainless-branded brake line, you can put whatever ends you want on it.

Why such a tight radius turn?

If it isn't related to a clearance, you can make a loop with the 'exit' at just about any angle you like- if you have room for the loop ;)

To make tight bends in hand bendable line, start by making a larger, shallower bend, then continue to tighten it, working from one end of the bend to the other.

I like to grasp line with both hands, thumbs nearly touching each other and push with my thumbs. Seems to spread out the force just enough to not kink, yet close enough to concentrate the force to bend.

A bender is easier ;)

DiskDoctr wrote:
Why such a tight radius turn?

If it isn't related to a clearance, you can make a loop with the 'exit' at just about any angle you like- if you have room for the loop ;)

To make tight bends in hand bendable line, start by making a larger, shallower bend, then continue to tighten it, working from one end of the bend to the other.

I like to grasp line with both hands, thumbs nearly touching each other and push with my thumbs. Seems to spread out the force just enough to not kink, yet close enough to concentrate the force to bend.

A bender is easier ;)

Can't do a loop it is a clearance problem. The guys at the auto parts store said even with the Copper nickel alloy it would be tough making the tight bends. Went to 3 auto parts stores and no one had a flexible line with the fittings I needed. I think I found a replacement part so I ordered it today. I learned a lot from this thread thanks for all your incites.

Gjac wrote:

1320Fastback wrote:
Back when I built off road trucks I would fill the steel lines with sand before bending, never had one kink.

Did you bend it by hand or a brake forming tool?

I would use the bending pliers, never had a machine.

Each line would be measured, bent, flared and cleaned out with shop air before mounting and joining to the system.

Sand really does work for the application though, get the very fine stuff that craft stores sell.