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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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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: 29,844 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,844 | 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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