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How to Bend Brass Tubing on RC Model Fuel Tanks

Bending brass tubing for RC model engines can be accomplished using standard dowel rods or even a round pencil in a pinch. By gently turning the brass tube over the round dowel, you can avoid damage to the tube from kinks or sharp bends. It is very important to use something round to produce the bends because the tendency of the tube is to collapse without having something to support the tube walls with.

Things You'll Need

Miniature pipe cutter
Dowel rods or pencil

Instructions

- 1
  Hold the pencil or dowel rod in your dominant hand with the brass tube braced across the top of your palm.
- 2
  Press down on the juncture between the dowel rod or pencil and the brass tube with the thumb of your dominant hand and hold it steady.
- 3
  Pull the brass tubing at the pinkie side of your palm upward and away from your palm while holding down firmly on the joint between the brass tube and the dowel rod. Gently wrap the brass tube over the dowel until it has reached the bend angle that you want to achieve. Continue bending the brass tube in the same manner until you have performed all the necessary bends you need in the tube.
- 4
  Use the miniature tubing cutter to trim the bent brass tube to the necessary length you need to install it onto the RC engine. You cannot trim the tube with wire cutters, or you will crimp the end.

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