Which brake pipe bending tools?

[Chrisr1949]

Hi All,
In the next couple of weeks I'll be starting a brake re-furb on my Z3 including pipe replacement. I'm by no means a newbie to these sort of jobs but I was wondering what bending tools I need for some of the tight bends on these pipes. To save time and messing I bought from eBay a pre-made set of pipes from classiccargeek in Kunifer. He was pretty meticulous in getting full vehicle details from me and looking at realoem I see that the pipe lengths are quoted there. So it's fingers crossed that they are the right length.
I see various pipe bending tools and pliers being offered so any help or suggestions would be appreciated

 

[mrscalex]

I use these with Kunifer. There's lots of different types so I guess it's personal preference. But I get some good tight bends with these.

Brake Pipe Bender Bending Pliers for Cooper Tube 3/16" and 1/4" Pipe Making : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders. Shop Brake Pipe Bender Bending Pliers for Cooper Tube 3/16" and 1/4" Pipe Making.

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[Chrisr1949]

I was teetering on the edge of buying these. I've got pretty strong thumbs so these look great for the ones my thumbs won't cope with.

 

[Chrisr1949]

Does anyone know if there is a rule of thumb (there's that word again) for tightening the unions? Do I remember way back in the mists of time, nip it up then 1/4 turn?

 

[mrscalex]

You won't bend kunifer effectively with your thumbs however strong they are. You could use sockets but you still won't quite get the tight bends.

First time I did brake unions I pussy-footed around with tightening recommendations like the nip it up and quarter turn. And I had several weeps. They need to be tighter than you might imagine. Can't explain it really, just a feel thing.

 

[Chrisr1949]

Thanks for that, the last time I re-piped a car was a Rover 3500 in the early eighties. That was with Kunifer when it hadn't been long on the market so I do don't remember much about it.

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Tighten til it shears and back off two flats, that's what I was taught.



































Not really, eh?

 

[Chrisr1949]

My wife's doesn't like cats, I'm getting there....

 

[Chrisr1949]