straightening and re forming a copper line

[Frank S]

the 3/4" copper line for my air compressor would not mate up with the bends it had in it plus it was too long
to straighten it since it was work hardened I heated it to red hot for the entire length then cooled it and re formed the bends to the shape I needed

to straighten it I inserted a long rod with a tapered and rounded end approximately the diameter of the ID of the tubing then gently worked out the dents and bends

Afterwards I re bent the tubing with a 1/2" EMT conduit bender not the ideal perfect tool for the job but it worked
and installed it on my compressor this was essentially the last piece I needed to complete my compressor build

[rebuilder1954]

Nicely done, sir!

[Frank S]

I only needed the tube soft enough to easily straighten and work the dents out from the inside with a rod inserted in it.
Had I quenched the tube immediately while still red hot it would have become as soft as butter, however once I started heating it I noticed my quench tub was empty so I had to carry it nearly 200 feet to the nearest water source at 66 I no longer even try to run a 60 or 100 yard dash for anything so I walked very briskly the tube was still hot enough to achieve the results I needed that being close to that of a fresh roll of type L refrigeration coper which actually I had a roll of 3/4 that I could have used but why waste a perfect flare and destine a fine piece of tubing to the recycle if I didn't need to.

[DIYer]

Thanks Frank S! We've added your Copper Line Reforming Method to our Metalworking category,
as well as to your builder page: Frank S's Homemade Tools. Your receipt:

Copper Line Reforming Method by Frank S

tags: tubing, copper, straight

[mwmkravchenko]

See, that anvil does have a purpose.