Copper tube

MF294-4 · Sep 12, 2013

Needed a short piece of 1/2 copper tube with a 90 degree bend for my aircompressor. Cut a piece off a length that I had and tried to bend it. Had a bender and filled it with sand. I can't get it to bend without kinking. How can I bend it ?

JD Seller · Sep 12, 2013

Your bender needs to be for 1/2 tubing. Not one of the fit ten size benders. The correct bender will just fit the tubing and not let a kink start. The bender also forms the outside as you bend it. You maybe able to rent one from some of the Rent it centers.

You do not have to fill it with sand either. That only works on larger pipe.

Here is a link to one on Ebay for $36.

tubing bender on Ebay

RMinVa · Sep 13, 2013

The piece you cut off to bend, was it in stick form or from a coil of tube?

Sean Feeney · Sep 13, 2013

Look for a heating cooling outfit and get a scrape you want soft copper tube not pipe.

Stan in Oly, WA · Sep 13, 2013

Is there any possibility of making the section you need by soldering straight pieces to a 90?

504-1 · Sep 14, 2013

Bend first then cut it. You may wind up bending a loop, cooper doesn t like sharp bends.

El Toro · Sep 14, 2013

I would use hose, it's easier to work with. We used a lot of Aeroquip hose using barb type fittings that you just shove the hose over. Most were sae 45° swivel nuts and fittings. I've have one my compressor for over 40 years.

JMOR · Sep 14, 2013

Compressor to tank is often over 212F, over, will hose handle that?

Wile E · Sep 14, 2013

Can you just go and buy a 90 degree compression elbow? I have all compression fittings in my house.

El Toro · Sep 14, 2013

Their braided hose should. You can get reusable swivel nuts. Here's one I made that has JIC swivel nuts. Hal

rustyfarmall · Sep 15, 2013

A length of air hose will do the trick, OR, use a much longer piece of copper tubing and form it into a LOOP rather than making a 90° bend.

Pops1532 · Sep 15, 2013

Get a bender like JDS showed. If you're just going with a 90 degree bend use steel tubing.

If you use copper put a loop in it. If you just put a 90 in copper it will likely work harden and crack from the vibration.

I've tried the barb fittings and a hose. Didn't work. Too hot for the hose. Hose would heat up and blow off the barb. Addressed that issue and the hose would blow. Fixed it right and put a steel tube on it. No more problems.

Dr. Walt · Sep 16, 2013

You can buy 90 degree fittings in either Copper or Brass - Male/Male, Female/Female, Male/Female and in just about any diameter from 1/8 inch up to 1 1/2 inches at your local Plumbing Supply Store. Look for Sweat-Solder Fittings.

Copper tube

MF294-4

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JD Seller

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RMinVa

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Sean Feeney

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Stan in Oly, WA

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504-1

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El Toro

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JMOR

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Wile E

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El Toro

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rustyfarmall

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Pops1532

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Dr. Walt

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