![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
|
How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
Today all my new hardline material should arrive... I need to do all new brake and fuel lines. The brakes are a mix of 1/4 and 3/16, and the fuel is 3/8.
I ordered stainless so it'll stay looking nice. But in looking at my originals there are a couple of places (like right where the hard line goes to rubber to connect to the fuel pump) where they've got a really tight bend. 3/8 line doubles around in a 180-degree turn with a radius of about 2 inches in one place. I don't know if the factory used a mandrel, or how they got it that tight. Are there are tips or tricks anyone knows to make a tight bend like that without kinking the tubing? I've seen tubing with a spring outer wrapper, and I could try to find the spring part and use it just during bending, but not sure if that'd help. I could in theory do it without those tight bends, but I'd like to keep it as close to original as possible. If you're curious, none of the vendors nor inline tube or classic tube has them for big-block long-horn 3/4 tons, so I'm sort of on my own with this one. Dave
__________________
1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Newbee
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 1,406
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
These work very well, and bend stainless like butter.
http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_...9-501f774bb60d Eastwood or some of the other places may have a cheaper version. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 189
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
The springs work to some extent. Tight bends are iffy.
I have heard that filling/packing the line with fine sand can help achieve a tight bend, but I haven't tried it.
__________________
1971 GMC C2500 Custom Camper - Second Owner. 350/TH350, Dana 60 Rear. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
I was reading a thread on MotoIQ that suggested the sand or baking soda, but no one could seem to figure out how to get it packed in tight enough to do any good. I've seen it done for larger tube, like 3/4, but they packed the tube with sand and then welded the ends shut for the bend...
__________________
1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Fitchburg,Mass
Posts: 737
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
If you have a good hand tube bender you can make bends as small as the bender will allow. if i remember right you have to use a 39 degree double flair but someone that bends tube for a living will correct me if i,m wrong..
![]()
__________________
62 Willys 4wd Pickup : 72 C-10 swb 504 stroker ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Italy
Posts: 1,278
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
What about using a 90 degree fitting screwed into the fuel pump with a 3/8 barb on the inlet side. I did something similar when I went all SS with -6 AN hose and fittings.
__________________
'68 C-10 SWB 383 Stroker (Sold 3/2/2013) '87 R2500 LWB 454 TBI converted to Carb ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | ||
"I ain't nobody, dork."
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Whidbey Island, Washington
Posts: 8,940
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
I got this tubing bender off a Mac Tools truck... It bends EZPZ up to 180 degree bends in 1/4" to 1/2" tube. Just happens to be in the same pic as my Flaring Tool Kit.
![]() I made this 3/8" pump to carb fuel line with it... Gary
__________________
'cuz chicks dig scars... My 1972 GMC 1500 Super Custom (Creeping Death) "long term" build thread. The Rebuild of Creeping Death after the wreck Quote:
Quote:
|
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: jackson michigan
Posts: 755
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
Nice job man.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Carlsbad, CA
Posts: 1,584
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
I should keep an eye out for a Mac Tools truck.
__________________
- Jim - My Daily Driver is a 1969 Chevrolet Custom/20 Fleetside 350/TH400/Eaton H052 4.10 and its Project thread is here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
1969 Custom 30 wrecker
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Pottsville, Pa
Posts: 2,611
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
Quote:
I got all my line, fittings and gravel guard from them for my wrecker project and made my own lines.
__________________
Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10 |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: MD
Posts: 1,937
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
Quote:
Quote:
__________________
1969 c-10 Step Side Long Bed. I-6 250cid = ![]() |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Project Heaven in my 67!!!
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Bosqueville, TX
Posts: 899
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
I did all my bending with a hand bender that I bought at the local parts store for like $15 and just bent it slow and controlled, never forced anything and it went great without any issues! All my tubes are inline SS tubes!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: El Campo, Tx
Posts: 1,246
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
Thats a nice bender that Gasoline71 has up. I have one of those Eastwood bending pliers and made a 180 that had only a 1 inch radius without kinking. I hope you have a darn good flaring tool! I broke the 1/4" die on even a Rigid 45 degree double flaring tool on the first flare before breaking down and buying a Mastercool hydraulic flaring tool. Stainless is a whole different animal than other materials. Incidentally if you do not have the right tools I will rent you my Mastercool which I have the 45 degree double flare attachments as well as all the 37 degree single AND double flares for also. Plus I have the cutter to cut stainless and all my different benders too. If that helps you out.
__________________
72 Chevy blue LWB, 99% original Oklahoma truck, 28,000 miles 72 Chevy SWB: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=486626 (Attempt/Mistake #2) 2003 Harley Davidson Dyna Superglide with 2007 Street Bob front end 2000 Ford F350 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB, 310,000 miles running great (STOLEN St. Patricks Day 2014 AND NEVER RECOVERED) 2002 Ford F250 Powerstroke 4WD CCLB (To replace stolen one) Hook em Horns!!! Last edited by El Campo; 08-30-2012 at 03:33 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
I have the Mastercool (I think it's also sold at Matco and a couple of other brand names, same tool) hydraulic flaring too. I also picked up the 37 degree dies and cone so I can do AN style stuff on other projects.
If you're making more than one tube in your lifetime, I heartily encourage anyone to get the Mastercool hydraulic flaring tool. I always struggled, especially with larger diameter steel or stainless. With the hydraulic unit I've never failed to make a great fitting, unless I tried something goofy.
__________________
1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!!
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512
Posts: 10,770
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
In-line tube will bend you up a set of lines. The only difference in a longhorn brake line kit and that standard 3/4ton kit for a 2WD truck with leaf spring rear end is the length of the brake line that runs from front to rear of the truck. You send them your original and they will duplicate it. Then they will have an original pattern for future trucks.... WES
__________________
On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
|
Re: How to make tight bends in tube without kinking?
They didn't seem interested, just told me they didn't really have anything for Longhorns, and it took two months to get that answer.
According to their parts listing they have a complete front brake line set for the 3/4 ton, but under their Master Cylinder lines, which are the hard ones, nothing for 3/4 ton.
__________________
1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|