bending brake line

[Sick5]

So how do i get a 90 bend with out kinking my lines... Grrrr

i have a tool that makes the bends but for some reason im not doing it right or this tool suck...

[kerber63]

Plug one end of your line, then fill the line with sandblast media, or sugar. Then plug the open end and bend. No kinks. Remember to flush the lines before you install them!

[jayoldschool]

One of my favourite tools for bending line is an old front disc brake rotor. You get three different radii (the outside of the rotor, the hat, and the hub), and you can also put the line in between two lugs and use that as a jig to bend against. Works like a charm.

[Sick5]

Wow great idea guys. I might try both.
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[Bugeyev8]

old crank pulley from a sbc with v belts works good too, but get a quality bender...much better

[Captainfab]

I recently had trouble bending the line that is supposed to bend earier, without kinking. Of course I was bending a 180, but still on a 90 it didn't look all that good. And yes I was using a tube bending tool....unfortunately it is a HF POS. I ended up going to NAPA and I happen to find a length of the old style galvanized line, and it bent perfectly.

[65Gregg]

Try Poly Armour lines
http://www.agscompany.com/automotive...es/poly-armour
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[Captainfab]

That is the type that I had trouble with the 180* bend kinking.

Originally Posted by 65Gregg

Try Poly Armour lines
http://www.agscompany.com/automotive...es/poly-armour
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[argonaut]

I've made a lot of custom lines from 3/16" to 3/8" in stainless and coated steel using only basic small and medium diameter bending tools and never ever had any problems kinking it. What are you using to bend them with?

[ChiefRocka]

I was just about to say the same thing.

I have a basic MATCO Bender tool.... Never had a problem.
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[Sick5]

Your basic two hand 180 bender.
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[ChiefRocka]

Yeap that should do it ..... I have pretty decent results with mine:
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[Sick5]

Maybe im just doing it wrong
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[markeb01]

If you're using the new coated green or black stuff, the tubing is the problem. I've been bending and forming steel tubing since the 1960's using a variety of tools both cheap and expensive. I've left off a few fittings from time to time, but I've never kinked a tube until that new stuff came along. I have expensive English roller benders and every time I've tried that new stuff it kinks. Addtionally, I cannot form a straight flare using the same flaring set I've had for at least 25 years.

Some people love the new stuff, and perhaps if you bend it over your knee and don't need to cut and reflare, it might be okay. But I'll never use it again. I recently bought several new pieces of the old galvanized stuff at Napa. They have it in the warehouse if not in the local store.

[Sick5]

Thanks Markb01
This weekend ill change the tubing I buy and see if that helps
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[shawno72]

Any luck with this?
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[lolife99]

Lots of info on Youtube.

Brake Tubing Flaring & Bending - YouTube

[Sick5]

Good info
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[Brad54]

Originally Posted by markeb01

If you're using the new coated green or black stuff, the tubing is the problem. I've been bending and forming steel tubing since the 1960's using a variety of tools both cheap and expensive. I've left off a few fittings from time to time, but I've never kinked a tube until that new stuff came along. I have expensive English roller benders and every time I've tried that new stuff it kinks. Addtionally, I cannot form a straight flare using the same flaring set I've had for at least 25 years.

Some people love the new stuff, and perhaps if you bend it over your knee and don't need to cut and reflare, it might be okay. But I'll never use it again. I recently bought several new pieces of the old galvanized stuff at Napa. They have it in the warehouse if not in the local store.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who's had horrible experiences with the new "easy bend" stuff! I hate that crap, for all the reasons you mentioned.

They're expensive, but you just can't beat an Imperial tubing bender for brake lines... 180-degree bend with the radius of a quarter.

And I've got a good Blue Point tubing cutter and flaring kit that has NEVER made a bad flare in the 25 years I've had it.

I've used all different kinds of tubing cutters, and that Blue Point is the only one that I've found makes a good, reliable, repeatable square cut. And it doesn't work-harden the end.

I'm not a big Tool Truck Tools fan, but that kit is worth every penny.

-Brad

[shawno72]

Great info guys.