Looking for a accurate 3/16 brake line bender

[tonyvol]

Hey guys, I'm looking for an accurate 3/16 brake line bender that won't break the bank. I tried using the Imperial 470-fh but I'm not getting accurate bends when using 3/16 stainless steel brake line. I looked at a 3/16 Weatherhead, Swagelok and Parker benders but they are pretty pricey.

[LXCam]

Check out aircraftspruce.com. they have a pretty decent selection of medium grade benders. I bought my 5/8" bender from them and am very happy with it. Btw, I was an electrician for 30+ years, so bending tubing to an exact measurement is a big deal with me. So I understand your requirement. GL


Btw, I have mostly swagelok benders which are dead on.

[tonyvol]

Thanks for the quick reply back. I'll check them out. At the rate I'm going, i'll have wasted enough line that I would have been better to by a swagelok. Just don't want to spend that much for a tool that will get used every once in awhile.

[LXCam]

Ya well been there, done that. You wouldn't be the only guy with a selection of cheap tools only to have expensive stuff collecting dust too. You should see my collection of flaring sets only to end up buying a very complete mastsercool set, complete with an entire selection of 37degree dies for doing hardline AN stuff. But like you, I like my stainless and the cheap tools just won't cut it.

[tonyvol]

Yeah, you're right about.

[tonyvol]

Has anyone used this bender? I was wondering how accurate it is?

http://www.toolbarn.com/ridgid-36117.html

[Spork82]

I use this one from Ridgid, its a combo bender for different sizes. I've done 3/16 and 3/8 stainless with mine and it works great

[tonyvol]

Thanks Spork82, I've used ones similar to that one, but found that the ones that can bend 1/4 tubing won't bend 3/16 when you need to make percise bends.

Has anyone used this one? Also, I looked for a Swagelok that is for 3/16 tubing but didn't see that they make one.
http://www.build.com/ridgid-38028/s821414

[70 Chevelle]

I have it and use it regularly . Great tool

[70 Chevelle]

The model from 2 posts up . model number 403

[tonyvol]

The model from 2 posts up . model number 403

Thanks Tony. I was curious if you used it to make short brake lines that needs to be very precise on the bend. I'm need to make brake line similar to these.

[Spork82]

I was able to make bends like that with a cheapie bender from the auto parts store. I left my ends long so I had leverage to bend and then cut and flared. The lines are symetrical now, this was a loose mock up.

[MonzaRacer]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/2717333...lpid=82&chn=ps this is one of my tools. I also use these http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/pr...BENDER-PLIERS/
I do full reline jobs on cars with rusted out lines. I love my line pliers, the bender and I REALLY love my Mastercool/Bluepoint hydraulic flaring tool.

[70 Chevelle]

Thanks Tony. I was curious if you used it to make short brake lines that needs to be very precise on the bend. I'm need to make brake line similar to these.

Sorry, just saw you asked me a question. The Matco pliers Monza racer linked for you are awesome for really stubby lines

[bryant]

i have lots of different benders and the 2 i use the most are the blue point one above in the ebay link and the pliers style. the pliers style work really well. i have broken the blue point bender on 3/8s stainless steel lines but just warrantied it on the snap on truck.