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| | | | Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 112 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2004 Posts: 112 | Can anybody tell me what size tubing bender do I need to buy to bend the brake lines on my 59 1/2 ton?
Is "Rigid" a good brand? - Thanks
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| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,907 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2001 Posts: 1,907 | I think most tubing benders for our trucks will have grooves for 3/16", 1/4" and 5/16". I used these sizes on my vacuum advance, brake lines and fuel lines, respectively. You might have 3/16" brake lines. Rigid is a great brand but you ought to be able to get a good one elsewhere for $20 or less.
1948 3/4-Ton 5-Window Flatbed Chevrolet 34 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 86 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Nov 2003 Posts: 86 | I bought the Harbor Freight bender and double flare tool. I can't remember what they cost, but they were cheap. I was able to re-do my entire '59 3100 brake system with them. They are not PRO grade, but I won't use them every day. I had no problems with precision.
For my business I only buy the best tools I can. I bought these to learn with and ended up using them. How much longer they'll last is another question.
I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure that you realize that what you heard is not what I meant!
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 327 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Mar 2001 Posts: 327 | If you get in a pinch for a tube bender, a trick I learned a long time ago was to save all of the fan pulleys that you find- Make great tube benders. And they come in all sizes.
Oly in Oregon Rest in Peace1945 GMC COE Victory Truck 1953 Willys CJ3B 1955 Chevy 1st series 3/4-ton 1958 WIFE Last series Never say "Whoa" in a mud hole
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,841 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,841 | You'll probably find the lines from the master cylinder to the tee blocks are 1/4", and lines to the wheels are 3/16". Here's a little sneaky trick if you've got a tight raduis bend to make. Fill the line with melted soft solder, make the bend around a piece of round rod, and then melt the solder out with a propane torch. I've used that trick when I needed a radius too tight to make with a bender. Compressed air helps when getting all the solder back out of the line.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 51 Member | | Member Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 51 | Hotrod,
What a cool trick!!! I've had a heck of a time over the years getting a tight radius on those brake lines... When I did my Willys Weep a bunch of years ago-it gave me fits!!! Thanks, I won't forget... | | |
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