tube bending

[Q tip]

what is the best way to bend plastic (evergreen ) tubing without kinking it? thanks john

[ScaleDale]

Depending on how big it is, maybe. If the inside diameter is around 2mm or less you can run a pipe cleaner through it to fill the hole temporarily while you bend it. It's flexible enough to pull out after the tube cools. Insulated wire might work, too.

What are you building?

Dale

[zenrat]

Best way to avoid the tube kinking is to use rod instead.

If you really need an open end (exhaust pipe for example) then use rod and graft a piece of tube of the same diameter onto the end with styrene cement and sand down the join. It won't show.

[vypurr59]

I bend roll cage bars all the time, and I bend them around a mandrel the size I need, and apply heat from a hair dryer, while bending around the mandrel. Do not overheat. I bend rod, If I need a hollow end, I do the same as zenrat's post above.

Edited August 8, 2013 by vypurr59

[Ace-Garageguy]

Best way to avoid the tube kinking is to use rod instead.

If you really need an open end (exhaust pipe for example) then use rod and graft a piece of tube of the same diameter onto the end with styrene cement and sand down the join. It won't show.

Yup. Of course, if you're in larger scales it becomes more difficult to bend the rod without cracking it.

[Q tip]

thanks for the feed back. i'll give it a try

[Bastardo]

Push a piece of soldering wire inside the tube, heat it up, bend it and pull the soldering wire out Works for me