Brake line benders

[eric wissing]

I have done a bit of looking on EBAY at tube benders. The least expensive ones do not do 3/16" lines. I have an ultra cheapo that I used on my gas lines but is worthless. I need to make some tight bends to mount the proportioning valve. Anyone out there have any experience with any of these ? Also Flaring tool. Thanks, Eric

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BRAND-NEW-Tubing-Line-Bender-Auto-Air-Brake-Fuel-HVAC_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35625QQihZ007QQitemZ170145447956QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-PROFESSIONAL-BRAKE-FUEL-LINE-TUBE-BENDER_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43989QQihZ013QQitemZ230166483681QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

[48mirage]

forget the second one. I have a set of these and they haven't left the tool box since my first attempt to use them. I don't like the other pair because it uses the same bend radius for all 3 sizes. I have done a lot of tubing bending in my work from copper to ss. I have invested the money and bought ridgid and imperial eastman benders for the size tubing I am bending. Like most things the right tool makes a world of difference.

[eric wissing]

I did some quick checking on Imperial prices. $100.00 for a 3/16" bender. I am not sure which flaring tool I would use 45 degree? The stuff is pricey but crap is no bargain. Thanks, Eric

[Olddaddy]

These guys rent a tool that makes brake lines of professional quality for reasonable prices. The deposit is stiff, but it is just a deposit. There is nothing on your car as important as the brakes. I am making up all new lines for my Plymouth wagon, new, safe, perfect lines before my family sets foot in the car.

http://www.fedhillusa.com/?page=home

[eric wissing]

Charlie, I bookmarked that site. Sounds like the right stuff. less corrosive and easier to bend. Thanks, Eric

[RHDSP15C]

Try using your fingers, worked fine for on 3/16 Bundy tube.

[knuckleharley]

I am making up all new lines for my Plymouth wagon, new, safe, perfect lines before my family sets foot in the car.

I'm with ya on that one. There are places where you can cut corners,but brakes ain't one of them. It really doesn't cost that much to replace all the hard lines and the brake hoses,and it is foolish to not do so with a car 50 or more years old.

Same thing with gas lines. Replace the hard lines with new hard lines,and make DAMN sure you replace all the rubber gas lines and plastic fuel filters with new ones made to handle the crap called gas today. One thing you don't want to do is find out if you can stop your car from 60 MPH in time to get out of it before it burns up with you in it.

[knuckleharley]

Guys,doesn't NAPA sell this stuff now?

Have any of you used it?

[Lou Earle]

Flexable line

Yes they do and I have made a gas line for a VW thing and a brake line for my 49 plymouth . Very workable and great product , I will not be using my bending equipment any longer. The new flexable is so much better.

Lou

[eric wissing]

I asked at my local NAPA and they said "yea we have it" and they pointed to a rack of steel tube that was hardly what I was looking for. Seems common around here that the people behind the counters know little more than the customer and will get offended if you suggest that there might be something else. This is not just in the auto parts business. Thirty years of Carpentry brings the same reactions at supply houses. I avoid the big box stores because often the help has no idea of what you are looking for and the stores themselves only deal in the most commonly used items. Then again I get pleasantly surprised at times when someone really knows the product and has real solutions. So, I keep plugging away. Eric

[48mirage]

Here is a link to a Ridgid supplier for 3/16" tubing. Once you have the model number you can get it from any ridgid supplier. And it appears to be less than the $100 Eastman

http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Ridgid-36117-Tube-Bender-3-16-No-403/64518/Cat/649

Yes 45 degree flaring tool. I'm thinking that our brake systems use inverted flare fittings.

Jim