Tubing Benders
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Tubing Benders
I am looking to pick up a tubing bender to make up some brake lines. The local Sears in going out of business and selling everything at a discount. I looked there today and they have an Imperial branded bender marked down 20% right now.
http://stridetool.com/tools/hose_tub...enders_01.html
The price on it today out the door was just under $40 tax included. The guy working in the tool department said they have been changing the percent mark down on Sundays each week. I told him I would be back on Sunday.
Does this seem like it would be a decent bender for working around the C3 vettes? Anyone have any experience with this bender?
Thanks for any opinions.
http://stridetool.com/tools/hose_tub...enders_01.html
The price on it today out the door was just under $40 tax included. The guy working in the tool department said they have been changing the percent mark down on Sundays each week. I told him I would be back on Sunday.
Does this seem like it would be a decent bender for working around the C3 vettes? Anyone have any experience with this bender?
Thanks for any opinions.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
I had one of those. It worked okay until the pins in the pivots loosened up. I guess I bent too much stainless tubing and they couldn't handle the stress. In my experience when it comes to tubing benders and flare tools you totally get what you pay for. I've bought several and the cheapest ones always fail first.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 219
Likes: 1
From: Horizontally parked in a parallel universe. WI
I have had good luck with the Imperial benders. Rigid and Rothenberger are good to. I work in commercial HVAC, and never had any issues with any of these brands.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
I too, used to have a commercial HVAC business, and have lots of Imperial brand tubing benders, cutters and flare tools. Stuff seems to hold up pretty well. Many here, seem to really to like the Snap On stuff. Think the key is, how well the tool grabs onto the tubing, as some tend to let it slip. This can cause the tubing to split. Also, there's different types of hard tubing. Make sure you get some, that's rated as bendable.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 23
From: Kansas
Yes Sir; I bought a complete set of S. S. lines pre-bent for 89.00. They fit perfectly, have you priced them from a vendor. Classic Tube, 1-800-882-3711 .. Lancaster, NY. is one source, You can buy one line at a time also.. Have a great day. Gene
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
What I am getting ready to do is install the C5 master cylinder. Hopefully this will be as painless as possible. I am going to pick up the Imperial bender tomorrow along with a short section of brake tubing and see if I can get this done sometime soon.
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 355
Likes: 18
From: Corona Ca
I have 2 single size Rigid benders (3/8 & 5/16, used a HF for 1/4, worked OK), bought bulk tube from Summit, and a nice tubing straightener, and custom built all new lines for my 70 Chevelle wagon. Good qualtiy tools are a wise investment, made the project enjoyable, and I have them for other projects.
Next time I need 1/4 tubing bent, I will by a Rigid bender for that too...
Best
Tom
Next time I need 1/4 tubing bent, I will by a Rigid bender for that too...
Best
Tom
Pro
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 556
Likes: 13
From: C3 Forum, Colorado
This is the exact tool I use and am very happy with the results on 5/16" and 3/8" tubing.
I'm not sure about this but I think on this particular tool it uses the smallest grove for both 3/16" and 1/4" tubing.
In my experience these tools work best when the tubing fits tightly in the groove.
If your bending 3/16" brake line it might be something to consider.
I'm not sure about this but I think on this particular tool it uses the smallest grove for both 3/16" and 1/4" tubing.
In my experience these tools work best when the tubing fits tightly in the groove.
If your bending 3/16" brake line it might be something to consider.
Last edited by qtlow; Mar 11, 2012 at 08:44 AM.
