Hi all,I have a 96 Rialta and I'm trying to reconfigure some existing, stock copper piping that supplies propane.I'm not trying to do anything drastic, I just want to reshape at a little so it's out of the way, and move the endpoint so it's a few inches to the side.So I'm wondering... what are the rules surrounding safely bending copper piping? Do you just bend it as you like, while keeping an eye on it to make sure you don't rupture the pipe?It looks as if the copper pipe was already manually shaped into place, for the previous appliance it hooked up to.Thanks!

if its soft copper you can bend any way you want, no 90% bends. if its straight as a arrow it could be hard copper ,but I doubt it,, it don,t bend.

Not sure what you mean by 'soft' copper, but it definitely feel pliable, and bendable...

Soft copper comes in spools than can be easily bent. Hard copper comes in long sticks and that stuff just doesn't bend.

If you're just trying to offset a little bit, you can reposition by hand. A pipe bending spring (sold at most hardware stores) will help to prevent a kink.

Thanks for the replies all!It's definitely not inflexible copper, so I'm going to go with: I can bend it.Dynamite community here! Appreciate the feedback!

Repositioning Copper Piping | Good Sam Community

C_Schomer
Explorer
Oct 28, 2013
FWIW, hard copper is also called hard-drawn. Annealing it makes it soft and it comes in rolls. Bending soft copper a lot, in the same place, will work-harden it and become really hard to reshape, if you don't get it right the first time. I anneal hard copper if I want to bend, flare, or swage it. It would be a good idea to retighten flare nuts if you muscle the tubing near them. Craig
RVUSA
Explorer
Oct 26, 2013
smkettner wrote:
For tighter bends in soft copper get a tubing bender.

http://www.toolbarn.com/ampro-t70748.html?gclid=CNLu--2Hs7oCFYgWMgod6BcApA

right. they sell them at home depot and lowes too. The inside radius will cave in with very little bend if you arent careful.
time2roll
Nomad
Oct 25, 2013
For tighter bends in soft copper get a tubing bender.

http://www.toolbarn.com/ampro-t70748.html?gclid=CNLu--2Hs7oCFYgWMgod6BcApA
LarryJM
Explorer II
Oct 25, 2013
I would recommend bending it by hand and as suggested make gentle large curves to prevent kinking.

Larry
john_b1
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
Jim Cindy wrote:
Spend a little money for the proper size spring at the local hardware store. Very hard to bend in a resricted area without kinking.

you can't use a spring if it already has an end on it !just saying Jb
Jim_Cindy
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
Spend a little money for the proper size spring at the local hardware store. Very hard to bend in a resricted area without kinking.
ScottG
Nomad
Oct 25, 2013
Yes, you can push it around some. Watch for it starting to kink though - it happens VERY fast.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Oct 25, 2013
Be careful of kinks. They can happen quick. Make all curves large and gentle.
krazy
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
Thanks for the replies all!

It's definitely not inflexible copper, so I'm going to go with: I can bend it.

Dynamite community here! Appreciate the feedback!
westend
Explorer
Oct 25, 2013
If you're just trying to offset a little bit, you can reposition by hand. A pipe bending spring (sold at most hardware stores) will help to prevent a kink.

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Repositioning Copper Piping

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