Bending Stainless Steel Tubing By Hand

This added hardness increases the amount of force needed to place a bend on a stainless steel sheet.

Bending stainless steel tubing by hand.

Generally tube is measured by the outside diameter while pipe is measured by the inside diameter so pipe may appear thicker than tubing of the same measurement. This isn t an exact number because of the differences in temper and metal quality. Homemade hand bending may not be the best technique for really short radii. The stainless tubing can be bent using a ram bender by securing it in place on both ends and ramming the tubing in the center.

Swagelok hand tube benders feature roll dies reduce bending force and tube ovality compared to conventional slide block design. For example 1 x 1 18 gauge steel tubing can be bent to a minimum diameter of about 30 before it starts to kink. And there are a couple of ways to cheat that number even lower. For example piece of one inch pipe will seem to have a greater diameter than a piece of one itch tubing.

Another method of bending stainless steel tubing is to use a mandrel bending machine which is a flexible insert that fits into your tubing bending it without allowing it to collapse internally. They help to prevent damage from bending such as crimping scoring and flattening. Stainless steel lines are expensive three to four times more than regular steel lines. You need a really good flaring tool to make good quality double flares with stainless steel tubing.

As you bend a stainless steel sheet the bend area cold hardens increasing the amount of pressure required to finish the bend. Stainless steel hard lines are not too difficult to bend but flaring them is. Scoring stainless steel sheets with a grinder eases the hand bending process. Tubing benders can help to bend aluminum tubing for oil and hydraulic fluid.

For show cars and street rods the polished look of stainless steel is. This method tends to damage the tubing however. Available in 1 8 1 4 5 16 3 8 and 1 2 in as well as 3 6 8 10 and 12 mm tubing sizes.