Bending 2mm Brass Tube.

[jarndice]

Whenever you try to bend 2mm Brass tube it almost always splits or creases,
There are answers such as pipe benders to address the problem but a cheapskate like me will always go looking for another way.
Wooden Barbecue meat skewers (NOT COCKTAIL STICKS) will fit, and if you push it in as far as it will go the ability to put a gentle bend in the pipe (DO IT SLOWLY) removes the chance of the pipe splitting or creasing.
A Pin vise will clear the wood if it wont come out after the bend is in place.
Shaun.

[Andy Mc]

I was toying with the same idea this morning, as I want to change the exhaust on my panzer so the smoke can actually come out the exhaust, so I grabbed some ally tubing I had spare from the rc plane stock, if you pour fine salt down the tubing and plug both ends, and bend it slowly by hand it also works, will take a bit of practice but can be done cheapskate way (make sure you got spare tubing to practice with

[971wright]

Hi Fill the tube with Wax or sand , make sure you have it well packed in then bend , if you have used wax heat it so the wax melts and runs out if you have used sand flush out with water or air.


regards pete

[jackalope]

Auto parts stores sell a cheap little tubing bender for doing brake lines that works perfectly. It's only a few $ usually under 10.

[jarndice]

Jack, A car brake pipe (Inside diameter) is 10mm or 3/16inch bore. I have looked through the web for something that would bend 2mm Brass tube and I cannot find it,
I am sure a commercial product is out there but the cheap or "Free" methods offered on this thread seem like a no brainer.
And my thanks to everyone with the suggestions,
It is this kind of free thinking that makes "Tips and Tricks" so useful.
Shaun.

[jackalope]

I hate this DAMN phone! I don't know why I can't posy pocs!

Search Autocraft tube bender. It's just a small handle with what looks like a small V belt style pulley and a hook to hold the tube.

But yeah 2mm may be too small for it, sorry guys. I've failed you.

[Ecam]

I hate this DAMN phone! I don't know why I can't posy pocs!

Search Autocraft tube bender. It's just a small handle with what looks like a small V belt style pulley and a hook to hold the tube.

But yeah 2mm may be too small for it, sorry guys. I've failed you.

Remember when they tried to teach us the metric system in the 70's? We Yanks just don't get it sometimes. But we'll keep trying.

[Max-U52]

First, a 3/16 bore on a brake line is huge. Standard brake tubing in the US has a 3/16 Outside Diameter and about .118 to .125 for an ID. But, Jack is right that a standard tubing bender of the type he describes is very cheap and can be used for a variety of tubing sizes. If you're using it for 2mm I would determine the inside diameter of the tube and then insert a piece of styrene rod the same size (just slightly smaller actually) that will give extra support as you bend and the rod should slide right out afterwards, especially if you shot a tiny bit of lube in there before you inserted the rod.

But remember, it's always best to use the right tool for the job, and that's why I bought a $10 bender at the local hobby shop, and that's what put the bend in this exhaust, which is made from brass tubing.

[Max-U52]

Remember when they tried to teach us the metric system in the 70's? We Yanks just don't get it sometimes. But we'll keep trying.

Don't feel bad, the Brits have a hard time with our system, too. For example, 10 mm is actually a lot closer to 25/64 than 3/16. (10mm is .393, 25/64 is .390, and 3.16 is .1875. That might not seem like much of a difference, but for an anal German machinist (third generation) as little as .0003 can scrap a part, so 6 thou is a huge difference.

[jackalope]

No need to blame anyone! We can't help what we were taught growing up and it's very difficult to change that.
I TRY to post in metric because out of respect for the fact that this IS a mostly UK site so I try to "speak their language" if you pardon the expression.

No need for ruffled feathers fellas.