Thread: bending small copper tubing

how small? can you fill it with sand?

Hi Fishntime

If the tubing is just for looks and doesn't have anything running through it - I insert a soft wire (just a bit smaller than the bore of the tube) and then bend it around a jig I have made for the size bend required. Then just leave the wire inside. I do this for tubing on some of my locomotives.
Should be able to get wire from your local metal suppliers.

Hope this helps

Regards

Keith

Why not a copper tubing bender?
RS PRO Pipe Bender For Use With Aluminium, Copper, Steel 6 → 10 mm | RS

Sometimes you will need to anneal the copper as it can work harden this depends on how it was produced. This will make it easier to bend

Also depending on the size will also dictate how it will need to be bent. Tube benders are ideal as already suggested as well as the other idea of filling with sand tightly packed, filling with water and freezing can work but depends on the wall thickness. Safer with sand filling of the last two suggested.

You can get bending springs, tho I don’t know what size they go down too.

You can also fill the tube with fine dry(must be really dry)sand,an cap the ends but make sure the sand is pushed in really firmly.
If I was you would then also beat both ends flat an fold them over them selfs too make sure the sand is In tight, you should be able too bend the tube then with out kinking the tube.
Maybe a practice run first!

Cheers Matt.

Hoping you post some photos of your "African Queen" model please....

What diameter tubing? Under 6mm and you'll be looking at model makers external bending springs. 6mm and above you can buy tube benders as well as springs; when you get to about 12mm or 1/2" upwards you can also get internal bending springs. Definitely anneal it first.

You can also fill the tubing with lead or pine resin but it tends to make the inside dirty.