Bending Metal Tubing

[rumbaugk]

Anyone know how to bend metal (brass or aluminum 3/16") tubing at a right angle? I'm working on a non-operating Civil War steamboat engine in 1/72nd. Thakns, Ken

[toesup]

Anyone know how to bend metal (brass or aluminum 3/16") tubing at a right angle? I'm working on a non-operating Civil War steamboat engine in 1/72nd. Thakns, Ken

Crimp / flatten one end of the tube, fill the tube with salt, pack it down hard and add more salt, repeat untill you cant get any more in. Crimp the opposite end of the tube and then bend, round a 'former' or bar.
Tha salt stops the tube collapsing as you bend.. ;)

[woodybob]

Try fillin' th' tube wi' sand & plug up both ends. Sometimes that will soften th' kink that comes wi' th' territory.

[ropanach]

slip the tub in side a spring, witch will fit tight this will also work. the spring give support for the tub on all sides.

[smart_racer]

Small diameter pipe/tube bender, there are different styles and prices

[Kmot]

Or anneal the brass and it will bend like a licorice stick.

[jerryj98501]

I'll repost some of the ones I have. The two commercial ones are available at your LHS. The others were made with a cut-off blade for the lathe ground down to the width of the tubing you want to bend and then turned in either brass or aluminum round stock. Hope these help. Jerry J.

[Kmot]

Those are nice Jerry! I have to make some for myself. ;)

[steveciambrone]

If you anneal the brass you get a better bend. With a torch heat the brass tube until you start to get an orange flame. Sit aside and let cool. It will bend far easier also, no wear on the tubing bender.

Steve

[AndyKunz]

For the Victory ESCs I use a tubing bender to make a < 1/2" radius with 5/32" K&S brass tubing. I tried annealing the tube but it would collapse when bent. The tubing bender works great - no sand, no annealing, nothing special. I wouldn't bother with any other way.

Andy

[rumbaugk]

Thnaks Jerry, very helpful - Ken

[steveciambrone]

Anneal and use the tubing bender, works the best.

Steve