Forming brake lines

[volleyball]

So how are you all doing it. I've only done it a few dozen times. I use round things and just follow it around.
I know there are special tools but my volume is low. I will be rerouted the line for my trailers surge brakes.

 

[sberry]

I usually bend it by hand.

 

[Professur]

Get the new Nicopp line and bend it with your hands. No prob.

 

[Iroc-Z]

I have tried different tools and I like using my hands. I can feel if the line is trying to kink.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Most I do by hand. If I need a tight or precisely located bend I use a bending tool. The tools don't need to be expensive.

 

[Anarius]

I do mine by hand. I always use cuni lines (copper nickel) if able. I use tools usually at the ends to get those tight bends going into and out of hoses / valves etc.

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

I know that some of the newer brake lines are made so that you can form them by hand but I never had much luck making them look good. I have a manual tubing bender from NAPA that I use that was my Dad's, so it is probably 40 years old. It has the ability to be used with 3/16, 1/4, 5/16 and 3/8 line I believe. I also purchased a brake line pliers from Eastwood. They are not too bad to use, but for me the problem since I don't do this very often by the time I remember all of the short cuts I am done with the project and don't do it again for a year or so.

 

[Bluefin ll]

X2 on the Nicopp 20$ for a 20 foot roll at Napa around here

 

[rburke65]

I find using a bender for brake lines is akin to using an EMT bender. It's hard to remember the offsets, back to back bends, etc. Don't use the tool that often.

 

[GTA Matt]

I use these two benders. The small plier type ones for tight bends, the larger ones with the roller for more gradual bends.

 

[Anarius]

I keep telling myself I will buy that hydraulic flaring tool "next time" on every brake line job. Still haven't picked it up yet.

 

[Dcampbell98xj]

Iv always managed by hand and in tight bend spots I use an impact socket closest to the size I need the bend as a guide. Seems to work pretty well. My old shop finally ponied up for the hydraulic flaring tool. It was a good investment for them because if a tech leaves they still have the tool.

 

[ddawg16]

I have a tubing bender....little $10 job and it does just fine.

But for replacement lines....I'd rather just buy them pre-bent from Inline Tube.

 

[bob from indiana]

I use a larger 1/2' drive socket and hold it and the brake line in a pair of slip joint pliers.
My Wilde pliers have a place that works well to hold 3/16" line.

 

[Falcon67]

The typical method here is to measure carefully, mark the bends, use the hand held bending tool to tweak the line, test fit...sling the ill fitting mess out the door then log on to Summit Racing and order -3 AN braided lines and fittings.

 

[Iroc-Z]

I keep telling myself I will buy that hydraulic flaring tool "next time" on every brake line job. Still haven't picked it up yet.

So do I. I am looking at getting the Eastwood one. Not hydraulic but looks nice for the price.
http://www.eastwood.com/professiona...e=&network=g&gclid=COSgideQuMMCFZSMaQodIVoAWw

 

[volleyball]

I got an email from Eastwood with a tubing video and how the guy did it. They had the hydraulic but the guy used the manual bender. It was ok, the guy seemed to know about 80%.
For the guys saying they do it by hand, are you meaning around an object? Any more than a small bend without a die and the tubing starts to flatten out. May or may not affect flow.

 

[shadyluke]

I use the little blue $6 tube bender from Harbor Freight. Seems to be the best bang for the buck.

 

[bdymnjm]

I like the pliers for really tight bends on the 3/16 lines. The tools help because of the grooves that help keep the line from flattening out. I like that most of the parts stores now have these common tools on hand so no need to find a tool truck to buy them. I use a few different ones some from snap on and some from parts stores for various radius bends. The copper-Nichol alloy lines are much easier to bend by hand and more forgiving if you need to straighten and re-bend from a mistake. I like using the rolls and reuse any of the brake nuts I can from original lines.

 

[GTA Matt]

I got an email from Eastwood with a tubing video and how the guy did it. They had the hydraulic but the guy used the manual bender. It was ok, the guy seemed to know about 80%.
For the guys saying they do it by hand, are you meaning around an object? Any more than a small bend without a die and the tubing starts to flatten out. May or may not affect flow.

You can do gradual bends by hand, but sharp precise bends really need a bender to avoid the risk of kinking. For 1/4" line, you really do need a bender. 3/16 is more flexible and forgiving. I personally don't care for the nicopp lines as they are a little too bendy and doesn't really hold its shape well for a lot of the work I do. These bends were all done with the plier type on steel 3/16.

 

[Professur]

My recommendation for Nicopp is only partly due to it's bending ... and far more to it's longevity.

 

[RacerRick]

I will only use the NiCopp lines now. They last so much longer, and are a lot easier to bend. Depending on the bend, I choose what tool to use. For large radius bend, a large socket works well, or even the oxy tank (its near perfect for going around the back of a 8.75" mopar or 9" ford). For tight stuff, the hand held benders work well.