Copper Tubing?

[spwath]

I think im finaly going to get copper tubing.

 

A few qeustions-

 

I use regular hardline fittings right?

 

What about soft copper VS hard copper tubing?

 

Can I bend soft copper by hand?
SHould I use tools for soft copper?

 

And I heard I should not get chromed tubing, but chrome plate it later?
Is this nesicary?

How would i get it chrome plated?
 

[ZetZet]

I wouldn't bend it at all... Bends don't look too good.

[SkywardKkalox]

Too...much....scrappening!

[spwath]

I wouldn't bend it at all... Bends don't look too good.

It will be necicary in my case.

And i think they look better than fittings.

Besides, dont want to spend a ton on fittings

[Enderman]

never bend anything by hand

you must use the proper tools if you dont want to kink or crack the tubing

 

copper tubing needs to be nickel plated AFTER bending so that it does not oxidize

if you buy preplated copper it will look disgusting if you bend it

[ManOfGold93]

Ya, there are plenty of tutorials on how to bend it, I personally think that if you can keep it from oxidizing then the bending would look great!

[spwath]

never bend anything by hand

you must use the proper tools if you dont want to kink or crack the tubing

 

copper tubing needs to be nickel plated AFTER bending so that it does not oxidize

if you buy preplated copper it will look disgusting if you bend it

Ok thanks.

 

WHere would i go to get something nickel plated?

[ManOfGold93]

Ya, there are plenty of tutorials on how to bend it, I personally think that if you can keep it from oxidizing then the bending would look great!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RJN1XIs0zU

[guitarhero23]

I wouldn't bend it at all... Bends don't look too good.

So untrue!

[arronleeds]

il just go pinch some pipe benders from college for you i studied plumbing.

[spwath]

So regular hard fittings or not?

And hard vs soft copper?

[W-L]

So regular hard fittings or not?

And hard vs soft copper?

 

Ditching soft tube all together I see 

 

And yes as long as the copper tube is the correct size compression hardline fittings will work perfectly. I would suggest using soft copper with the proper bending tools since hand bending will not yield very nice consistent bends, the main difference between hard and soft copper is if it's been annealed making it easier to bend and work but may require straightening. 

 

For nickel plating if you want to do it yourself you'll need to go to a chemical shop to get the proper chemicals but for someone to do it for you there are electroplating shops where you can send your product out for plating.

 

I wouldn't bend it at all... Bends don't look too good.

So untrue!

 

You can bend nickel plated copper but the bent section will have a slightly less shiny or burnish finished usually as not as mirror shiny as the rest.

[guitarhero23]

Ditching soft tube all together I see 

 

And yes as long as the copper tube is the correct size compression hardline fittings will work perfectly. I would suggest using soft copper with the proper bending tools since hand bending will not yield very nice consistent bends, the main difference between hard and soft copper is if it's been annealed making it easier to bend and work but may require straightening. 

 

For nickel plating if you want to do it yourself you'll need to go to a chemical shop to get the proper chemicals but for someone to do it for you there are electroplating shops where you can send your product out for plating.

 

 

You can bend nickel plated copper but the bent section will have a slightly less shiny or burnish finished usually as not as mirror shiny as the rest.

 

Some good examples:

 

[Zyphron]

I think im finaly going to get copper tubing.

 

A few qeustions-

 

I use regular hardline fittings right?

 

yes Regular Hardline Fittings. Go by Outer wall thickness not inner 

 

What about soft copper VS hard copper tubing? 

 

there are 2 types of hard Copper and 1 Type of soft that you can Buy in hardware stores.

L and M are hard types and are unbendable. This Type is mostly used in Homes and Comes in straight pipes 

Type K is soft Copper and comes in Rolls  while soft its still a Pain in the ass to work with without a Tool.

A to N tells you how thick the copper is M thinnest and K being the thickest you can get at most hardware stores.  you can get other thicknesses in hard or soft but expect to pay... 

Type K is thick and easier to bend when its softened type M could come soft but its walls are very thin. this poses issues to Bending if you were to soften it. 

 

Can I bend soft copper by hand?-

No if you man handle it you can get some mild 45's but trying a 90 by hand is VERY hard  and can Collapse the pipe. 

SHould I use tools for soft copper?

Yes Buy/rent a 3/8 or 1/2 Pipe bender

And I heard I should not get chromed tubing, but chrome plate it later?

the Chroming will Darken and not look as good at the bending points

Is this necessary?

no its not you can Plate yourself but its costly for a Project this small 

How would i get it chrome plated?

take it to a shop or use a 12 volt battery and the chemicals to plate. 

 

[spwath]

I think im finaly going to get copper tubing.

A few qeustions-

I use regular hardline fittings right?

yes Regular Hardline Fittings. Go by Outer wall thickness not inner

What about soft copper VS hard copper tubing?

there are 2 types of hard Copper and 1 Type of soft that you can Buy in hardware stores.

L and M are hard types and are unbendable. This Type is mostly used in Homes and Comes in straight pipes

Type K is soft Copper and comes in Rolls while soft its still a Pain in the ass to work with without a Tool.

A to N tells you how thick the copper is M thinnest and K being the thickest you can get at most hardware stores. you can get other thicknesses in hard or soft but expect to pay...

Type K is thick and easier to bend when its softened type M could come soft but its walls are very thin. this poses issues to Bending if you were to soften it.

Can I bend soft copper by hand?-

No if you man handle it you can get some mild 45's but trying a 90 by hand is VERY hard and can Collapse the pipe.

SHould I use tools for soft copper?

Yes Buy/rent a 3/8 or 1/2 Pipe bender

And I heard I should not get chromed tubing, but chrome plate it later?

the Chroming will Darken and not look as good at the bending points

Is this necessary?

no its not you can Plate yourself but its costly for a Project this small

How would i get it chrome plated?

take it to a shop or use a 12 volt battery and the chemicals to plate.

Great thanks