Technical What's the best hard line bending tool for fuel line

Title says it all, really. I'm looking for a good quality fuel line bending tool.

I'm not looking for a multi bending tool I'm looking for a tool to bend 3/8 fuel line

Any and all opinions welcome at this point

 

I like this style. Harbor Freight sells it as well as auto parts stores. $7.99 at Harbor Freight. For smaller lines the pliers type comes in handy but I haven't found one for 3/8 tubing.

 

I bought a HF bender to replace a real one that was stolen, along with some other tools.
First bend, 3/8 steel tube, it bent the strap, flattened the tube , and put casting marks on the tube. Threw it away.
Get a real one..Imperial Eastman..The kind the union millwrights use!

 

I use Imperial brand. You get what you pay for.

 

Ridgid brand is top shelf in my book, all my benders are Ridgid

 

Rigid also makes good ones, but they're not cheap either....

 

imperial eastman 370 & 470 has been in my toolbox since the late 80's , nothing beats the original

 

I bought my Imperial Eastman benders in the early '70's. I have everything from 3/16 to 1/2". They work as well today as when I first bought them. I never liked the multiple size benders. The Ben radius is made for the largest tube in the set so when you bend the smaller tubing, you end up with enormous radius' because if the radius was set for the smallest tube you you fracture the large tube bending it that tight. Imperial Eastman and Rigid are not cheap, but good quality never is. I have used mine on hundreds of cars over the years and when I push up daisies, my son will get them and see if they are still around to pass along to my grandsons.

 

I may be a little thick and I have asked others with no satisfactory answer. So hers the question... D,R,and L stand for? I presume R is right, L is left, but what does the Dor perhaps O stand for? And how are they used? I would think you'd know if you are something's left or right.

 

I have Rigid benders, but I also use Grandpa's springs.

 

https://www.reedmfgco.com/assets/download/327__56450-Tube-Benders.pdf

 

I found if you keep the handle die lubed with a dry lube ( I use pb garage door lube ) it makes life so much better when bending as it will not stick when bending . ifI have to paint them then I wash them with acetone and vinager to clean off the sillycone

 

the spring ones are great too for freehanding it .

 

It does stand for left, right and offset bends. https://www.carid.com/imperial-east...-tube-bender-3-16-1-4-3-8-1-2-mpn-370-fh.html
I've got a drawer full of tube benders that I bought over the past 40 years and would have been money ahead to buy the Imperial Eastman years ago.
If you just want cheap, Eastwood has theirs on sale for 10.97 right now. http://www.eastwood.com/triple-head-180-degree-tubing-bender-3-16-3-8-in.html It would probably work reasonably well on smaller brake line.

 

X2

 

Rigid or Imperial, a little costly, but you will have it for life and they make beautiful bends.

 

mine are all ridgid too..love them!

 

I have a KD one that works well.

 

Imperial Eastman also makes individual size benders that have rollers that do the bending. I have one in each size from 3/16-5/8" they do stainless line without a problem


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Them ones from summit harbor freight are junk. Nothing more frustrating then just a couple bends from finishing and the line kinks! Went back to the Ridgid no problems.


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A quick lesson for tube bending made simple.

Always bend a wire to keep your mind straight and your bends going in the right direction, refer to this before pulling the handle each time you bend and you will keep file 13 to a minimum.

Always measure end to center or center to center of tube and tube bends, that's how the bender is set up.

Benders are set up primarily to bend from left to right like you read, with your measured layout always moving to the left as you progress.
Example: If you want a brake line to measure 6" end to center of a 90, put a line completely around the tube at the 6" mark, then position that 6"mark at the 90 or L line on the upper bending shoe with the 6" tangent (straight pc) sticking out to the left. Pull the shoe around until the "0" hits 90, your tube will now measure 6" from the end to the center of the 90 degree bend. The same method goes for center to center of two 90's.

If you want a 45 degree angle instead of a 90, set your marked line on the upper shoe 45, pull the "0" to the 45 degree mark and it will measure 6" end to center or center to center.

You can layout a whole series of bends on your straight tubing using end to center... and center to center marks, by using the above directions moving left to right they will come out on the money every time in the bent version.

Now...... for the "R" factor on the upper shoe. This is for a "Reverse" bend "FOR 90 DEGREE BENDS ONLY"... when conditions such warrant that you cannot bend from left to right as pointed out above, and you have to make the bend with the work progressing to the right or opposite direction.
By placing your desired 90 degree center line mark on the "R" on the upper shoe and then pulling the "0" down to 90 degree mark you will obtain your center to center dimensions.

45 degree bends do not have a "Reverse" factor they can bend either direction and obtain the desired results.
This certainly does not cover it all, but gives you the basics on the design of the bender functions.
On your first bend check the angle with a square as some spring back will occur and you may have to pull it past your mark a little to achieve your true angle, you will get a feel for it on future bends.
And remember always bend a wire and refer to it before each bend, it can get confusing even to those of us who have bent miles of tubing.

 

I bought one of those at a garage sale. Don't know what brand it is, but for $5 it has served me well no more line than I have to bend. Mine was old and nicked up some, but the dies were smooth and it has never left a mark on mild steel or copper tubing that I have seen. Might not be good enough for a high end shop, but good enough for the average hobbyist who only bends lines every once in a while.

 

What bender makes a tight 180* bend. I have a 1/4" steel line that needs a tight bend.
Thanks for the help

 

I've never kinked a line with one and don't know how it could kink in the groove. I just made a complete set of lines for my 99 pickup with no problems. The brake tubing these days can often be bent by hand without kinking as easily as the stuff in the 60s did.

I didn't buy the more expensive ones because they had a tendency to "walk away".

As the old saying goes; If love hurts you must be doing it wrong.

 

Thank you,good info.

 

I have a Imperial that will bend 1/4 inch tubing at a 9/16 radius.

 

Thanks SF for the response.
Terry aka dirt t

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Mine I have had for years. I bought it from my Snap On dealer its a Blue Point brand. It has never gave me any problems