Home made 5/8 tube bender?

miketyler · May 5, 2013

I need to bend up a 5/8" dia stainless tube for a project. Its .035 wall thickness and was hoping to avoid buying a bender as I doubt I will need to bend anything this large again for a while.

Below is a pic of the part I am trying to fabricate. I have the beads on the ends covered with my Parker bead tool. The bends are pretty mild and I would like them to look pretty. Any ideas?

jmm · May 5, 2013

The seat of your pants method, which will result in a finished piece which works but doesn't look as nice what's in your photo, would be to use a couple large box end wrenches. To keep from marring the finish, slide rags in between contact areas. It's hack as all get out, but CAN yield a respectable finished product. I know, I've done it.

rsanter · May 5, 2013

I would be tempted to use a press and make some hardwood dies
Router a slot with a cove bit
Router a deeper slot for the joggle
Then router a coved toung for the other side
The hardwood should be good to make several pieces

Bob

miketyler · May 5, 2013

This part is going in a 70 Mustang Mach 1. I'm tempted to buy a bender for a one-time use like I have so many other tool purchases but I thought this one I might be able to pull off DIY.

rsanter - can you illustrate what you are describing? Is that pretty much like building form blocks?

Spam16v · May 5, 2013

does it really need to be bent?

metaleltr · May 5, 2013

It looks like a coolant pipe, in that case it probably needs bent to to go around the engine.

zkling · May 5, 2013

Find someone locally with a tube bender? I think you will be time and money ahead if you need just one.

That is going to be a semi complex piece to bend and will require a good bender with knowledgeable operator.

ex-x-fire · May 5, 2013

Make it longer then it needs to be, crimp one end shut, fill w/ sand, crimp the other shut, then try to bend by hand.

miketyler · May 5, 2013

does it really need to be bent?

Yes, to look like the original it must be bent like the one in the illustration.

I bent up all my own 5/16 fuel lines out of stainless and beaded the ends. I am not a master bender but I have formed up plenty of aluminum lines for aircraft before. The only difference here is that this is a little larger diameter than I am used to.

I think if I was having to go full 90 or more than is shown I probably would spring for this bender (and I may still actually) but the bends (or joggles) seem relatively mild but I do realize it is stainless and it is 5/8 tube so this may not be a realistic DIY project.

Appreciate the ideas so far.

RECox286 · May 5, 2013

I agree with the "fill with sand", but doubt if you will be able to "bend

by hand" with any precision. Benders are not that expensive, or the

wooden blocks shouldn't take that long to fabricate and use. I would

make sure that you make the bends first, then empty the sand and do

the bubbles. Check out plumbing stores, or Harbor Freight for benders.

Uncle Bob

miketyler · May 5, 2013

Already did. HF Doesn't carry the line that they used to. I have not checked out local plumbing supply as source though. Good tip.

rsanter · May 5, 2013

Yes, form blocks is what I was thinking.
By having the blocks coved around the tubing it should prevent crushing the tubing.

I will look to see if I have that size of die for my hosfeld

I was looking at that thinking it sure looks like the tube used for a 70 351c engine.
If you can make several of them you can sell them to other guys doing resto's

Bob

miketyler · May 5, 2013

I thought about that. The part from most Mustang parts houses goes for around $50 and I don't think anyone sells one in stainless. That said when guys are showing off their 351c engines I rarely (if ever) see them. Of course you have to pull the air cleaner or shaker to see it.

OccupantRJ · May 5, 2013

Drill a hole in an oak wood block. Radius the top of the hole. Insert tube and bend the innermost bend. Retract tube the proper amount, then bend the other bend to create the offset. Draw a line down the tube for rotational reference before bending.

Lightfoot · May 5, 2013

wouldn't a conduit bender work? Any electrician would have one and would probably be happy to bend it for you.

Or maybe take it to a muffler shop. 10 bucks would probably get you exactly what you want in less than 5 minutes.

miketyler · May 5, 2013

Tried your idea RJ but the tube collapsed and left a pinched-in spot in the inside area of the bend. I think I will go ahead and spring for the 5/8 bender. I have bought more expensive tools for one-time use. Am also going to check with my supplier to see if they have any thinner wall material as this is some pretty tough stuff to bend. Appreciate all the advice here today

purplezr2 · May 5, 2013

That lookes like an imperial bender, I have their tri bender, that does 1/2 3/8 and 5/16, it is a tough bender, I bent hydaurlic tubing with it.

miketyler · May 5, 2013

I have several tubing benders, a Snap on, some assorted off brands but none bend anything larger than 1/2". I saw that one listed on eBay for $37. Will it hold up to stainless tube? Any better deals out there?

miketyler · May 25, 2013

Sometimes you just need the right tool. Found this Parker bender on eBay and won the bid (actually I was the lone bidder) but it seems to bend up the stainless tube pretty nicely. Unlike others it has a roller that rolls over the tube rather than slides against it.

The wall thickness of the stainless tube .035" does work against you and admittedly there is a little effort required in the process. I think Grainger sells a thin wall .020" or .025" tube that might not wrinkle in the bends but the resulting wrinkles are really mild and for this car will work nicely. So if anyone needs any 5/8" OD stainless tube bent, give me a call. LOL :eyecrazy:

rsanter · May 25, 2013

Excellent. Now I want one of those benders

Bob

Home made 5/8 tube bender?

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