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Kleftiwallah · Joined: 27 Oct 2016 Posts: 222 Location: North Wiltshire

An easy one for chaps of your calibre. How do I put the tightest 270 degree bend in a length of 5/15" copper tubing?

The other alternative is a 180 degree bend one way, then a 90 degree bend t'other. It's to get the fuel from the tank tap into the engine compartment.

Over to your knowledgeable selves Cheers and thanks in anticipation. Tony. Wink

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Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4756 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
5/15" seems an odd size, I'd have called it 1/3"

A 90deg bend one way is a 270deg bend the otherway.
I'm not sure what material is normally used for fuel but the stuff my garage used to replace my hydraulic pipes was bendable by hand without it crimping. If the copper tends to crimp you might need to use a plumbers bending tool or a bending spring inserted in the pipe if you can get one to fit.
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Peter_L · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:07 pm Post subject:

Maybe 5/16'. 180 deg bend. That is a U shape, it is heading back the way it came.

Paul fairall · Joined: 17 Nov 2016 Posts: 429 Location: North west Kent

Refrigeration bending springs go over the pipe. Don't know if they do 5/16" springs but a small bender is available or if you need a tighter bend, use copper 5/16" bends either long or short radius.
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ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

Kleftiwallah · Joined: 27 Oct 2016 Posts: 222 Location: North Wiltshire

Thanks to all those knowledgeable replies, I'll let you know the outcome.

Cheers, Tony.
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It may work in practice, but not necessarily in theory!

Miken · Joined: 24 Dec 2012 Posts: 544

[quote="ukdave2002"]

jp928 · Joined: 07 Jun 2016 Posts: 249 Location: Australia

I have had success bending small bore soft tubing by a sort hand mandrel. Only works if one leg of the bend is fairly short. I found a drill that was a good fit inside the tube, and ground a dome on the back end. With a little lubrication on the end, insert dome to the point where you want the bend to start, and start loading the end away from the drill to start the bend. As you do a little bending, the drill will start to push out - just keep loading the bend area, and easing the drill out until you reach the angle you need. Done gently you should not see any kinking or flattening.
jp 26 Rover 9