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View Full Version : Best fuel line bender


connermcpherson
11-16-2011, 09:41 PM
Building an intake and gonna be bending some .120 SS lines. What yall use for line benders? I have a couple but they all suck and looking for something a little stronger to bend these lines.

06 DIESEL
11-17-2011, 06:01 AM
I would assume that most just use a brake line bender, but I have never had to bend fuel lines, so I would not know from personal experience.

9724VF350
11-17-2011, 06:28 AM
One just like this. No better bender for injection lines.
400 Series Instrument Benders - RIDGID Professional Tools (http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/400-Series-Lever-Benders)

06 DIESEL
11-17-2011, 06:45 AM
Hmm I have one very similar to that from Harbor Freight that works great every time I have used it.

one I have (http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-inch-to-1-4-quarter-inch-tube-bender-94571.html)

another one thats bigger (http://www.harborfreight.com/tubing-bender-3755.html)

9724VF350
11-17-2011, 06:52 AM
The pivot points is a big thing. For occasional use a cheap one is okay, when you make a chit ton of injection lines the pivots on the cheap benders wear out.

The Ridgid benders also make a very tight radius, and 180* is a handy option to have.

06 DIESEL
11-17-2011, 07:05 AM
True if I was using the bender more than every now and then I definitely would get something rated for it. The OP is asking for bending a set of lines, not enough to warrant spending more on a industrial rated bender, unless he plans on using it more often.

Red_Rattler
11-17-2011, 07:57 AM
Why stainless?

connermcpherson
11-17-2011, 09:26 AM
Thanks guys. Going with stainless cause they were available in town and i needed them asap. I have bent a few sets of lines for gassers, just my bender sucked lol. The haisley lines are what 3/16?

9724VF350
11-17-2011, 09:36 AM
Normal lines are 1/4", some are 5/16".

bsmith
11-17-2011, 09:49 AM
True if I was using the bender more than every now and then I definitely would get something rated for it. The OP is asking for bending a set of lines, not enough to warrant spending more on a industrial rated bender, unless he plans on using it more often.
1 set of lines will most likey destroy that harbor freight bender.

I have a industrial bender that I broke making a set. The injection lines are extremely hard.

JerrodGlover
11-17-2011, 11:29 AM
I got one from Columbus Diesel supply and it works great.

http://columbusdieselsupply.com/images/Fuel%20Pump%20Accessories.pdf

TRUBBS
11-17-2011, 12:59 PM
Not to hi-jack but... Other then stainless what kinda of "tubbing" would you use? How do you do the ends?

06 DIESEL
11-17-2011, 01:16 PM
You buy them with the ends on them already, there is also Mild-Steel lines.

connermcpherson
11-17-2011, 04:35 PM
You buy them with the ends on them already, there is also Mild-Steel lines.

Correct, the are sold pre flared with the 24v nut on one side and the p7100 nut on the other. I talked to Haisley and they Recommend Imperial benders, which is what they use to bend their lines. And even better i get awesome discount on them through Grainger.

connermcpherson
11-17-2011, 04:40 PM
I got one from Columbus Diesel supply and it works great.

http://columbusdieselsupply.com/images/Fuel%20Pump%20Accessories.pdf

How does that one from CDS work? I cant see chit in the picture.

JerrodGlover
11-17-2011, 04:59 PM
The CDS one is several cones with a stop on them. Each size is a different radius bend and the stop holds the line as you bend it around. It also has lugs to mount it into a vise. There are no moving parts to break or wear out.

bsmith
11-17-2011, 05:22 PM
Correct, the are sold pre flared with the 24v nut on one side and the p7100 nut on the other. I talked to Haisley and they Recommend Imperial benders, which is what they use to bend their lines. And even better i get awesome discount on them through Grainger.
That's the brand I broke. Hopefully you'll have better luck than I did.

bsmith
11-17-2011, 05:39 PM
The CDS one is several cones with a stop on them. Each size is a different radius bend and the stop holds the line as you bend it around. It also has lugs to mount it into a vise. There are no moving parts to break or wear out.
That sounds like the ticket right there. How much is it?

SINNER
11-17-2011, 05:52 PM
Swagelok makes the best tube benders you can buy. I have a few that have made over 100,000 bends if they made 1. The bender needs to be sized exactly to the line being bent. The walls on the die restrict the tube and keep the tube ID from becoming oval or kinking completely. It is critical on thick walled small ID tube.

1-5-3-6-2-4
11-17-2011, 06:14 PM
Swagelok makes the best tube benders you can buy. I have a few that have made over 100,000 bends if they made 1. The bender needs to be sized exactly to the line being bent. The walls on the die restrict the tube and keep the tube ID from becoming oval or kinking completely. It is critical on thick walled small ID tube.

Swagelok for sure make the best bender. That's what I use at work.




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dzljon
11-17-2011, 06:36 PM
i use ridgid, they are really good benders.

connermcpherson
11-17-2011, 06:44 PM
Swagelok is an awesome tool company but just bending one set of lines, i dont want to spend the coin on that bender. (even though id love too) My fiance would stab me

connermcpherson
11-17-2011, 06:55 PM
Triple Head Bender, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 In - Tubing Benders - Plumbing Tools - 3XTW3 : Grainger Industrial Supply (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/IMPERIAL-Triple-Head-Lever-Bender-3XTW3?cm_sp=IO-_-IDP-_-RR_VTV70300505&cm_vc=IDPRRZ1)

ive used this one before and it seemed to work great

Allmaras Diesel
11-19-2011, 07:46 PM
The best manual benders are made by Imperial and Parker. Swagelok doesn't make anything in the same league.

I use an Imperial 700-F http://www.newmantools.com/imperial/700f.htm for all my tight CLR bends and stainless work. I have some old parker hanifan benders that struggle with bending the same material at double the CLR as the Imperial, but the Parker benders I have are not the best.

The 400 series Parker's like this PARKER 824 MANUAL PIPE TUBE BENDER & DIES GREAT SHAPE | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PARKER-824-MANUAL-PIPE-TUBE-BENDER-DIES-GREAT-SHAPE-/380360531714) are good benders

oldskoolfab
11-20-2011, 09:10 AM
One just like this. No better bender for injection lines.
400 Series Instrument Benders - RIDGID Professional Tools (http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/400-Series-Lever-Benders)

I use this style of bender to bend aircraft hydraulic lines and it works great with small diameter SS tubing. The only down fall is if you want different diameter radius's you have to buy more benders. Put the fixed end in a bench vise good and tight and you will be able to control your radius's much better. Buy some extra tubing as you may burn through more than expected. There are some other types of vise mounted benders that interchangeable radius blocks. I will try to find them for you and post on here. Another tip, use a coat hanger as a template.

oldskoolfab
11-20-2011, 09:13 AM
The best manual benders are made by Imperial and Parker. Swagelok doesn't make anything in the same league.

I use an Imperial 700-F http://www.newmantools.com/imperial/700f.htm for all my tight CLR bends and stainless work. I have some old parker hanifan benders that struggle with bending the same material at double the CLR as the Imperial, but the Parker benders I have are not the best.

The 400 series Parker's like this PARKER 824 MANUAL PIPE TUBE BENDER & DIES GREAT SHAPE | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/PARKER-824-MANUAL-PIPE-TUBE-BENDER-DIES-GREAT-SHAPE-/380360531714) are good benders

By far the best bender to use for any application. I have used this exact bender with great success. The only thing better is a bender with a mandrel.

connermcpherson
11-22-2011, 08:04 AM
Ya i wish i had the coin to get the parker, and if i bent 5,000 lines a yr i would def make the purchase. Bending one set though, id rather borrow one lol

1-5-3-6-2-4
12-25-2011, 05:14 PM
I don't know what the Imperial and Parker look like but this is the Swageloc I use. Its been great.


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r193/demon_044/Work%20stuff/IMG00832-20100309-1838.jpg

bsmith
12-25-2011, 05:23 PM
I don't know what the Imperial and Parker look like but this is the Swageloc I use. Its been great.


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r193/demon_044/Work%20stuff/IMG00832-20100309-1838.jpg
Imperial looks like that but is a cast material.

Cumminsfever
12-25-2011, 06:06 PM
Subscribing for future reference!
Thanks guys for posting pics and links!

80powerwagon
01-14-2012, 02:39 PM
The swaglok has rollers on it the ridgid does not they are junk I am a stainless pipefitter and have 1/4 3/8 and 1/2" swaglok benders they are the best for doing the lines.

connermcpherson
03-20-2012, 06:00 PM
What model is that swageloc?

1-5-3-6-2-4
03-20-2012, 07:21 PM
I'll be home from work in 2 days. I can get the details soon as I get home.

ENafziger
03-21-2012, 12:06 PM
Swagelok Model # MS-HTB-4 for 1/4" bender. http://www.swagelok.com/search/find_products_home.aspx?part=MS-HTB-4&showLogin=N

http://www.swagelok.com/downloads/WebCatalogs/EN/MS-13-43.PDF

Pricing for the 1/4" bender is $133.15, at least under my login.

--Eric

Extended Power
03-21-2012, 07:57 PM
Ridgid benders are junk...
The cheaper Imperial Eastmans are junk...(The ones with out the swivel handle)
The Imperial Eastman's with the swivel are great. (After awhile, you actually look like your running nun-chucks because they swivel and go back into your coveralls so fast.)
Swagelok are the most expensive, and heavy tubing benders ever...but, they are roller benders, and are VERY accurate on their bends. (90* on the benders is a 90* bend...not 88*)

I have bent tubing over the last 20 some years, from 1/8" to 3/4".
I use Imperial Eastman's with the swivel handle....once you know where the bend is exactly 45* and 90*, you can be just as accurate as the Swagelok benders for bends.

Faults of the Imperial benders:
-After awhile, the chrome starts to peel off and scratch the tubing...and cut your hands.
-They deform the tubing on bends. (You can NOT slide a nut around a bend that was done with a set of Imperial benders. But on Swagelok benders you can...which proves that the Swagelok benders DON'T deform the tubing at all.)

Faults of Swagelok benders:

-Way too much money.
-Huge PITA doing a 180* bend. (Have to unscrew the handle, turn it, and re connect it to make a 180* bend.)
-Don't like how they "Clamp" onto the end of the tubing....this WILL crush the end of the tubing if you turn the tubing the wrong way for a bend after you have "clamped" it to the tubing.
-Too heavy.

1-5-3-6-2-4
03-27-2012, 01:17 PM
Swagelok Model # MS-HTB-4 for 1/4" bender.

Thats what mine is. Swageloc roller.


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connermcpherson
04-07-2012, 01:02 PM
Thank for the help guys, gonna bend these lines tomorrow. Went and bought a Swageloc roller and ill just sell it later. I dont ever bend lines but i need to now lol

metal_miner
09-15-2012, 11:48 AM
I just made new lines for my dual CP3 setup. The Swagelok 8 mm bender worked great.

The bender came with great instructions, which explained how to design and form a desired layout repeatedly.

I was going to use Exergy to produce the lines based off of templates I sent them, but found that their instructions seemed like simplified versions of Swagelok's. So I asked and it turns out they use Swagelok benders also. They in turn recommended that I form the lines myself to ensure 1-2 week faster turnaround (my truck was already down for 3 weeks) and lower cost.

So once I had the layouts designed I just ordered the equivalent lengths of straight tube with ends from Exergy and then formed the lines myself.