stainless tubing bender

[that-guy]

I need to make custom stainless brake lines for a car. it's something I don't do often, so i'm not looking to spend a whole lot of money. all of the ones I have found so far are only good for aluminum and mild steel

looking forward to any and all suggestions

 

[bullnerd]

Do you have a lathe? Or access to one?

 

[66HertzClone]

I replaced every brake line on my 66 Mustang years ago using stainless steel tubing. I have several benders, these pliers I used for close in work like near the master cylinder to get things lined up perfectly.

I have one that looks just like this, it is made from that glass fiber plastic material and had no problem bending the 3/16 tubing I was using.

In addition I had those tightly would springs you slide over the spring and then bend, came as an assortment.

For flaring I purchased this vise mount unit from Eastwood which worked perfectly.

 

[dogdog]

I think any bender would do for you as long as they are the right size... 4.75mm or was that 3/16..

I have a set of these...bender and nibber from Eastwood works great.. for steel / copper / stainless...
https://www.eastwood.com/tubing-bender-and-forming-pliers-kit.html

I think your problem will be finding a proper flaring tool for that stainless tubing... if you read the fine print, not every flaring tool can do stainless tubings.... including your favorite MasterCool... they don't do stainless.... probably will, but will ruin the die after first use sort of things...

In other word check before you buy....

 

[454ragtop]

What size tubing will you be using 3/16" or 1/4"? Have a surplus Imperial 1/4" bender I could sell cheap.

 

[dr_clyde]

I use Ridgid tube benders to bend stainless Swagelok tubing, which would be similar to a brake line. Not too spendy. I think they are around $75 or so for a small one.

 

[afazz]

I use an Imperial 364-FH-03 for stainless steel brake lines and it works great. I also have two flavors of multi-size tubing benders and they don't work as well.
https://www.zoro.com/imperial-tube-bender-316india-364-fh-03/i/G0095859/

I use an Imperial 400-F flaring tool to make 37º single flares (AN/JIC) and it works great. I've attempted to use others, including the Mastercool and $30 cheap flaring tools, and they don't work well.
https://www.zoro.com/imperial-flaring-tool-37-deg-400-f/i/G2519045/?q=imperial+400-f

 

[that-guy]

i went out and bought the Eastwood kit that Dogdog posted as it had good reviews. I bought a bender off ebay several years ago that was only rated for aluminum and mild, but tried on some stainless and it almost immediately kinked the tubing...so hopefully this set will work out

i'm using this for brake lines, hard fuel lines, and a 1/4" turbo feed line