Beer Forum

Fellow BNr's:

Apologies if this has been covered, but I don't remember this as a topic. I should probably search the forum too.

Looking to find the nexus of economical and stainless steel. I would like replace my silicone tubing with hard plumbed tubing. As powerful as the march pump is, I don't think I want to go any smaller than 1/2" ID.

Is anybody successfully bending 1/2" tube? How do you do it? (of course I will google and youtube search this too)

I am thinking I could save a bunch of $$$ if I could bend some thin wall SS tube the way I need it and connect pieces to my keg or pump fittings with segments of silicone tube that slide over and clamp.

Please post pictures and/or a list of parts/specs that has worked for you.

Thanks!!! -CH

My march pump has no problem with 1/2 o.d 3/8 i.d. Got my bender from Amazon and my tubing from SS brewing.

I started hating that it was hard plumbed to now am In the process of converting it to 90% tri clamps with a small section of silicone. I personally hate looking at silicone.


HTH.


Here is an older pic of my system.

cornhole wrote:Is anybody successfully bending 1/2" tube? How do you do it? (of course I will google and youtube search this too)

I have had success with filling the tubing with fine sand and then bending. When you're done, shake it out and wash it.

For steel try a harbor freight tubing bender about $8
For copper I use the ones that look like a spring, slip on tubing and bend with hands

I have 1/2" and 3/4" all over the brew stand. I have Parker hand benders. No need to fill the tubing with sand. They are mandrel hand benders. No issues. Get her started and then they go quickly after that. Use thin wall. 0.035". 3 degree bend back.

So, my $0.02. harder and more expensive to replace vs. Silicone tubing. I use the SST tubing on the water manifolds and delivery. Love silicone on the RIMS and Boil circuits.

Thanks for the ideas and encouragement guys!!!