Tool

What tool can bend very small aluminum tubing into a tight radius?

I would like to make some 3D artwork, and part of the artwork would have aluminum tubing. It is very small diameter, like 1/8-1/4". I would like to use a bending tool which can bend the tubing to a very tight radius in some spots, like 1/2" or around there. Where can I find the types of small tube bending tools I would need? Is there a tool which can bend small tubing like this into spirals as well? Thanks

Public Comments

1. You can bend the tubing with a tube bender. You can get one at Sears, many auto parts stores, and many hardware stores. As for a spiral, you could try continuing the bend by sliding the bender down the tube. Hope this helps.
2. Your local hardwhare store has such a tool.
3. Aluminum tubing is very pliable and therefore very easy to kink, so you'd want to be extremely careful. I can think of two tools that you could try: 1. A Pipe Bender used by electricians to bend EMT. The smallest size of these available is 1/2", but it is possible to bend something smaller with it. You would just need to exercise a lot of care. Every Pipe Bender comes with a small set of instructions to help you with any necessary calculations for getting the correct radius. 2. A local hardware store, like Home Depot or Lowes, might have a machine called a Sidewinder. Normally, they are used for bending EMT that is larger than 1 1/2" diameter, but some models may be able to bend smaller pipes.
4. i wouldnt use aluminum if i were doing artwork...get some stainless steel tubing and a tubing bender...
5. Check out a refrigeration supply house or an auto parts. Only problem most of the benders only do down to about 1/4 inch. Good luck