tube bending

[Johnny B.]

Does anyone have any experience in making tight bends of 1/8' BRASS TUBING...I don't want to kink this stuff...its pricey. Thanks

[sabin]

K&S has these. Found mine at Hobby Lobby. I haven't used them yet.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/inde ... pla_998603

[cp4449]

I have a set of those. I have not done 1/8" stuff, but no kinks with 1/4" stuff

[Johnny B.]

Thanks for the prompt comments guys!

[STRR]

I really like the spring benders. I believe they are much better if you need anything besides a straight bend.

Two other methods that work very well. One: Fill the tube with fine sand, pack it as tight as you can by tapping on the sides and ends. OR; Two: Fill the tube with water, freeze it leaving one end open for expansion. Then, bend around a mandrel that will give you the finished dimension you're needing.

I have seen 20" diameter pipe bent with the sand method. Stand the pipe up with a crane, put a plug in the bottom end, drop the pipe into a hole in the ground, which is next to a silo filled with fine, dry sand. Fill the pipe, hoist it up and down while the boys beat on the sides with sledge hammers, repeat until the sand does not settle any further. Cap the open end and lay down. They put the bend zone into a kiln to red hot and then onto the bend table. Ropes and winches bend the pipe around forms or pins to get the required bend. Let cool, uncap, and drain the sand out, saving it for reuse.

Good Luck,
Terry

[Dick_Morris]

There were several posts describing some really nice pipework here, about five years ago. Suggest you do a search for it.

[chooch]

Dick Morris,
I just spent about 15 minutes looking for the Tube bending subject on 4 pages with no luck.
I though maybe posting a question like asking on a search site -did not see that available on here.
Would you have any other ideas?
Thanks.
chooch

There were several posts describing some really nice pipework here, about five years ago. Suggest you do a search for it.

[Bill C]

The thread you want is called The Art of Tube Bending, by Chris Hollands. Fantastic work, excellent tutorial. Good luck!

Bill C.

[redneckalbertan]

Here it is: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... =8&t=87725&

[cbrew]

I have been flamed by this answer before, but i have always heated the tubing to bend it. it has always yielded smooth bends. just a propane torch and a pair of tig welding gloves.

[chooch]

Thank you for the link. Very informative / interesting.
Thanks to others for replies also.
chooch

Here it is: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... =8&t=87725&

[Fred_V]

Thank you for the link. Very informative / interesting.
Thanks to others for replies also.
chooch

Here it is: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... =8&t=87725&

I took that whole series of posts on tube bending and made a PDF file of it (2 files). Send my a PM with your email address and I'll send them to you.