How to Straighten Stainless Steel Tubing
07-20-2018, 03:52 PM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
How to Straighten Stainless Steel Tubing
Fellow Corvetters...
Several years ago I ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake and fuel line tubing from Classic Tube for my '91, but am just now getting around to unpacking it (purchased everything I'ld need before I began the rebuild). Imagine my surprise to find that many of the pieces were bent-double to fit in an already huge box! So now my problem is how to straighten stainless fuel and brake lines. A good quality straightener costs a small fortune and the cheapies work on only aluminum and copper tubing. My big fear is trying to straighten it by hand, and then permenently damaging it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Several years ago I ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake and fuel line tubing from Classic Tube for my '91, but am just now getting around to unpacking it (purchased everything I'ld need before I began the rebuild). Imagine my surprise to find that many of the pieces were bent-double to fit in an already huge box! So now my problem is how to straighten stainless fuel and brake lines. A good quality straightener costs a small fortune and the cheapies work on only aluminum and copper tubing. My big fear is trying to straighten it by hand, and then permenently damaging it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
07-20-2018, 04:06 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Fellow Corvetters...
Several years ago I ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake and fuel line tubing from Classic Tube for my '91, but am just now getting around to unpacking it (purchased everything I'ld need before I began the rebuild). Imagine my surprise to find that many of the pieces were bent-double to fit in an already huge box! So now my problem is how to straighten stainless fuel and brake lines. A good quality straightener costs a small fortune and the cheapies work on only aluminum and copper tubing. My big fear is trying to straighten it by hand, and then permenently damaging it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Several years ago I ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake and fuel line tubing from Classic Tube for my '91, but am just now getting around to unpacking it (purchased everything I'ld need before I began the rebuild). Imagine my surprise to find that many of the pieces were bent-double to fit in an already huge box! So now my problem is how to straighten stainless fuel and brake lines. A good quality straightener costs a small fortune and the cheapies work on only aluminum and copper tubing. My big fear is trying to straighten it by hand, and then permenently damaging it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
This one's not so bad.
Robert
Last edited by 3D-Aircrew; 07-20-2018 at 04:08 PM.
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Red 91 (07-21-2018)
07-21-2018, 09:20 AM
#3
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
x2 on getting a bender or paying someone.
Trying to do it by hand almost guaranteed to instantly kink btdt.
Trying to do it by hand almost guaranteed to instantly kink btdt.
07-21-2018, 09:37 AM
#4
Safety Car
Actually I have straightened the lines out by hand. I was helping an acquaintance on a full resto of a 73 Riviera boat tailed coupe that stainless lines were bought for from the above company. I was able to go slow and straighten them out.
However, that tool looks interesting to have as it will make straight lines. By hand you can't make them perfectly straight.
However, that tool looks interesting to have as it will make straight lines. By hand you can't make them perfectly straight.
Last edited by drcook; 07-21-2018 at 09:39 AM.
07-21-2018, 09:54 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
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2024 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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The type of tubing used and the method of packing are both designed to be straightened by hand. Many have done it before you, so just take your time, don’t try to do it in one big bend, and once you are almost there lay it out work it into position.
07-21-2018, 10:46 AM
#6
Le Mans Master
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Classic tube has a good video on how to unbend their tubing. I had to google it but can't get a U-tube link to cut an paste for you. Just google how to unbend tubing and look under videos for the Classic Tube video.
07-21-2018, 02:31 PM
#7
Instructor
Thread Starter
Follow-Up to Original Post
Fellow Corvetters...
Several years ago I ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake and fuel line tubing from Classic Tube for my '91, but am just now getting around to unpacking it (purchased everything I'ld need before I began the rebuild). Imagine my surprise to find that many of the pieces were bent-double to fit in an already huge box! So now my problem is how to straighten stainless fuel and brake lines. A good quality straightener costs a small fortune and the cheapies work on only aluminum and copper tubing. My big fear is trying to straighten it by hand, and then permenently damaging it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
Several years ago I ordered a complete set of stainless steel brake and fuel line tubing from Classic Tube for my '91, but am just now getting around to unpacking it (purchased everything I'ld need before I began the rebuild). Imagine my surprise to find that many of the pieces were bent-double to fit in an already huge box! So now my problem is how to straighten stainless fuel and brake lines. A good quality straightener costs a small fortune and the cheapies work on only aluminum and copper tubing. My big fear is trying to straighten it by hand, and then permenently damaging it. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!
SnorT91Man
