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Old 06-14-2012, 08:58 PM   #1
kcfirstbuild
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Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

I know how to kink 3/8 tubing but i'm having a hard time bending it to a 90 degree with out kinking it. I have tried to normal tubing bender and the plier type which i broke. I need to make two 90's
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Old 06-14-2012, 09:01 PM   #2
72chevyk10
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

if you have a piece of pipe or maybe a handle off a jack or something you could bend it off that. just dont try for too sharp a turn with it
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Old 06-14-2012, 09:08 PM   #3
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

If you need a sharp 90 you will probably need a 90 degree fitting. The handle benders I have make a nice 90 degree bend but certainly not a tight 90 degree bend.
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Old 06-14-2012, 09:09 PM   #4
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

Fill it with sand first. That will keep it from kinking. Make sure to clean thoroughly when you're done
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Old 06-14-2012, 09:56 PM   #5
RexDodge
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

Look for one of the benders that looks like a long spring. Most of the parts stores sell them. Go slow and be patient. They work really well. I have several styles and this one is by far my favorite.
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Old 06-14-2012, 10:19 PM   #6
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

The 3/8" stuff is harder to bend than 5/16" or brake lines. Are you using the correct groove in your bender? It will surely crimp in the wrong groove. The best way I have found to bend bigger line is to clamp the stationary handle in a vise so that its more stable. Then you only have to worry about pulling the handle and not stand there hunched over like your trying to open an impossible pickle jar. I've seen people grind the teeth off a pair of vise grips to clamp the line in the groove so that it doesn't move but I haven't tried that trick yet.
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Old 06-15-2012, 07:43 AM   #7
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

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Originally Posted by BMERDOC View Post
The 3/8" stuff is harder to bend than 5/16" or brake lines. Are you using the correct groove in your bender? It will surely crimp in the wrong groove. The best way I have found to bend bigger line is to clamp the stationary handle in a vise so that its more stable. Then you only have to worry about pulling the handle and not stand there hunched over like your trying to open an impossible pickle jar. I've seen people grind the teeth off a pair of vise grips to clamp the line in the groove so that it doesn't move but I haven't tried that trick yet.
Never thought of clamping the handle. I guess that would make a feller look less like a tool trying to use a tool.
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Old 06-18-2012, 09:30 PM   #8
kcfirstbuild
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

Found a plastic tubing bender with two handle; a guy let me borrow it from his shop. Worked perfect! Problem solved !
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Old 06-19-2012, 11:45 PM   #9
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Re: Easy way to bend 3/8 tubing

Old school way without getting sand in the tube is fill it with water and freeze it. It does the same as sand, but easier to clean. With the winters in Vermont, I bend 2" pipe for brush gaurds ect. this way
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