custom 5/8 a/c low side line tubing question
 

I am working on getting the low side a/c hose fabbed up on my LS swapped 5 series BMW that i'm putting for sale afterwards, but it needs a multiple bend of #12 5/8 tubing to make everything jive. Ive made 2 orders of different variety of parts/fittings/tubing bending attempts and cant seem to make it look nice and clean as a 1pc tube would.

Im considering investing in a mandrel bender just for this one size as the Rigid 5/8 tube bender radius is just not tight enough (its 5")... really smooth bend though.

I've needed pre bent tubing connected to the a/c pad before on my last 2 L83 swaps... all of those bends were saved from OEM evaporators and such...

Anyone else feel this is beneficial.. it would require brazing on fittings but the
result is tighter and tidy looking connections. Looking for purpose after making this 1 single tube :( If I bought it it would be a service i would offer but unsure if if its even needed.. Ill add pictures tomorrow of the last 2 swaps

Re: custom 5/8 a/c low side line tubing question
 

Well, decided not to buy the tool, did some brain storming and 3d printed the solution lol

I mocked up the #12 U splice from coldhose.com which turns out has a 3" radius. The Ridgid 5/8 tube bender I have is a 5" radius and just to wide for this tight space... continued with mockup and eyeballed measurements, bends, drops etc...

... drew a sketch and printed it as 1 assembly, it split lol... ambitious :)

2nd attempt worked like a champ.
Looking around for scrap steel, and had a nice piece of 1/8 plate, and then I seen a back cover plate of an L83 vacuum pump in my scrap bin... yep, reduce, reuse and recycle ...for those who are old, Captain Planet goooo haha

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/1.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/2.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/3.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/4.jpg

end was bent when from something else, not from the tool

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/5.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/6.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/7.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/8.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/9.jpg

http://87chevy.com/images/3dprintdie/10.jpg

no kinking, it is a bit oval, but that's because I heard a video on youtube that the dies are slightly oval shaped... sounds right i guess..... I'm going to print another set with just a 5/8" radius and try it just for kicks.

I probably have about 2 hours of practicing aluminum brazing, and these look pretty dang good... I think the oxygen / acetylene setup is defiantly needed for the a/c block to tube fittings. You might get by with MAP gas on the hose fitting to tube. Now I just need to get a new piece of #12 hose and crimp it together and back in a/c business :)

clint

Re: custom 5/8 a/c low side line tubing question
 

That's amazing, great work!

Re: custom 5/8 a/c low side line tubing question
 

Nice job.

Re: custom 5/8 a/c low side line tubing question
 

Clint,
I'm doing my '67 AC right now, and needed some 5/8" bends. A friend had loaned me his bender which also makes a 5" diameter bend.
I dug out some old scrap aluminum and made me one to bend a 3" diameter...works like a charm...
I'm looking for the dimensions of the female end so I can make a swaging tool to duplicate that geometry.
Also got into the aluminum brazing just for fun.
For starters I'm using the AL822 rods from Lucas Milhaupt...822°F melting point with MAP gas....it flows into the joint almost as good as silver brazing.
I'm anxious to see how it performs. I'll be pumping it down in a few days.
Attachment 2303645

Attachment 2303646

Re: custom 5/8 a/c low side line tubing question
 

Nice job!

Re: custom 5/8 a/c low side line tubing question
 

nothing short of amazing work you do.... I am going to look into that rod you mentioned and give it a try. The Uniweld brand Aluma-Braze looks and flowed awesome except 2 of 3 joints I got leaks when nitrogen testing the fittings... not sure whats happening.
did you make a forming die for the male o-ring end in that picture?
clint