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Title: brake pipes Post by: Rabbitoh on March 27, 2007, 11:32:31 PM What is the proper way to bend steel/copper brake lines? heat gently with torch and manipulate while hot, or do you need a proper pipe bender doo-hicky?
Thanks, Title: Re: brake pipes Post by: craiga on March 28, 2007, 12:05:19 AM Hi Rabbitoh,
Use the doo-hicky. ;-) You'll also need a good quality double flaring tool and some patience. My understanding is that copper lines are illegal? This is due to the process that takes place during constant vibration/movement - the line hardens and then breaks. This can be overcome by correct fixing but again not sure of legality. Ken would be best to advise as he works on this stuff all the time. Cheers, Craig. Title: Re: brake pipes Post by: Dave_EH on March 28, 2007, 01:46:08 AM Rabbitoh,
Craig is on the money. AFAIK copper pipes are illegal. I think Ed Ho would also be a resource on this issue. I think I used "bundy" pipe? It has a greenish protective coating. I bought a pipe bender and away I went. Its a fairly frustrating task. Good luck Title: Re: brake pipes Post by: Ed on March 28, 2007, 03:32:12 AM don't know about resource but I have done the job before and did some research.
throw your copper lines out.. they crack. and yeah use your doo-hicky to bend the lines, otherwise you risk collapsing the tube and reducing the ID. there was a neat write up in SM mag last month. a cool trick was to drill a hole in a thick lump of wood and draw the tube through it to straighten it out. (as it comes in a large coil). Cheers Ed |