DIY Toolless Tubing Bends and Shapes

I had a little project going on that involved bending 1/2” copper tubing. Unfortunately I wasn’t in a position to record those bends but I had some tubing left over that will allow me to demonstrate how to bend tubing without tools.
As is the case many times with my videos, this is a quick, one shot, no-edit recording, but it does show how easily this task can be accomplished. The “trick” is to fill the hollow area of the tubing with something like sand and seal each end. This allows the tubing to bend and not fold because by filling it you have removed the weak points.
If you take more care than I did in this recording you will be able to successfully bend your tubing in to endless patterns without crimping or flattening.

[@jimmyghersi]

Fantastic trick

[@JosimovOgnjen]

You can also use heavily saturated water soap mixture and freeze it, and then bend it. This is used in instrument making (trumpets and other stuff). You can bend it because rhe soap mever really freezes solid and doesnt let the water (ice) break up and the water keeps the pipe shape steady.

[@doesntmatter3068]

If ya don't have any sand laying around, Salt work very well too. Most everybody got some salt in their cabinet. Fine grain AKA table salt

[@stevemas4966]

Nice, southern engineering at its best

[@bigbuddha9197]

I've used this trick before. It's good for putting a single bend in the middle of a long section. Thanks.

[@richh5824]

Thanks great video!

[@lemonpepperdry5818]

Thank you for this content.

[@vn912]

Good idea.

[@Barnabus33]

Great idea...thanks

[@Faad3e]

great vid!

[@UbestTop5]

Good diy video, thank you

[@matthewduncan169]

Tried it. Busted in the middle in the first two seconds. Very thin pipe and wet sand. Don’t know if that made a difference

[@TigerCreekFarm]

I would use dry sand. Never had an issue when going slowly and methodically.

[@DireWolfForge]

If you use an electric toothbrush or a recipro saw you can vibrate the sand quickly. Good video! Thanks

[@dukeman7595]

This works well..

[@natsirim499]

Helpful✅

[@CTRadventures]

My air compressor went down and the control module that came as a replacement part They don't sell one piece at a tiny 90° angle to fit the premade tubing that came on my compressor. So I was thinking about buying a little piece off of Amazon but it would be straight and I would have to bend each end to fit, I'm thinking this might do the trick with some playground sand or maybe some salt?

[@TigerCreekFarm]

It should. Make sure that whatever you use is packed tightly in the tube to prevent it from folding and creasing.

[@CTRadventures]

@@TigerCreekFarm thanks!

[@user-kt8cf9kk3e]

How would you add a bend on installed gas line

[@TigerCreekFarm]

I would not attempt a bend on a line that was installed.

[@jesselee8780]

Dose sand work just as well of is it not fine enough

[@TigerCreekFarm]

Yes. The key is to get it in tightly. If you leave a void it will crimp.