Bending Aluminum Tube

[jaxenro]

I need to bend some aluminum tube, 1/8" diameter with about 90 degree bends with a tight radius. What's the best way to do so without kinking? I don't mind if the bent end is solid is there soemthing bendable I can fill it with, like solder? Would that help?

[SfanGoch]

Right here:

 

[bill lanfear]

I recently bent some 1/8 brass tubing using a metal threaded piece of conduit.  You can use about anything with threads that the tubing fits into.  I placed the brass into the threads and bent the tube around to the degree I needed...worked great for me and no kinks.

 

[bill lanfear]

For a super tight radius, maybe slip some stiff wire into the tube (snug slip) and bend.  The wire should keep it from kinking but you wont be able to remove the wire once you bend it!

[BigTallDad]

Here's another approach that works very well

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/102629-bending-tubing/?tab=comments#comment-1652081

[Bainford]

Does it have to be tube? Michaels has some 1/8" aluminum armature wire that is soft and bends well.

Edited July 19, 2018 by Bainford