Brake Line Benders: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best One
When it comes to brake line repairs, having the right tools is essential. One of the most important tools you need is a brake line bender. Brake line benders are designed to bend brake lines easily and accurately, ensuring a perfect fit every time. But with so many different types and brands of brake line benders available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to choose the best brake line bender for your needs.
Types of Brake Line Benders
There are several types of brake line benders available, including handheld, lever-operated, and hydraulic benders.
- Handheld Brake Line Benders
Handheld brake line benders are lightweight and easy to use. They are perfect for DIY enthusiasts and small brake line repairs. Handheld benders are also affordable and can be found in most automotive parts stores.
- Lever-Operated Brake Line Benders
Lever-operated brake line benders are more powerful than handheld benders and are ideal for bending thicker brake lines. They are also easy to use and can be operated with one hand, leaving the other hand free to hold the brake line in place.
- Hydraulic Brake Line Benders
Hydraulic brake line benders are the most powerful and accurate type of bender available. They use hydraulic pressure to bend the brake lines, making them ideal for professional mechanics and workshops. Hydraulic benders are also the most expensive type of bender.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Brake Line Bender
When choosing a brake line bender, there are several factors to consider, including the size of the brake lines you’ll be working with, the type of material the brake lines are made of, and your budget.
- Size of the Brake Lines
The size of the brake lines you’ll be working with is an essential factor to consider. Make sure the bender you choose is compatible with the size of the brake lines you’ll be bending.
- Material of the Brake Lines
Brake lines can be made of various materials, including steel, aluminum, and copper. Ensure the bender you choose is compatible with the material of the brake lines you’ll be bending.
- Budget
Brake line benders can range in price from less than $10 to several hundred dollars. Determine your budget and choose the best bender within your price range.
Conclusion
A brake line bender is an essential tool for any brake line repair job. Handheld, lever-operated, and hydraulic benders are the most common types available. When choosing a bender, consider the size and material of the brake lines you’ll be bending, as well as your budget. By following these tips, you’ll be able to choose the best brake line bender for your needs and ensure a perfect fit every time.
If your brake line forming tool does more harm than good, it is high time that you look into getting a new one. Perhaps, if you have been struggling to bend hard lines by hand all this time, then you deserve a break.
We feel you are here because you have come face to face with one of the above issues. So, we won’t bore you with any other details.
Without further ado, let’s move on and help you find the best brake line bender for your hardware kit. Hopefully, this new tool will bring some convenience and comfort in your life without you having to bend over backward over a couple of brake lines – excuse the pun folks!
Best Brake Line Benders of 2022
There is no shortage of brake line benders on the market. But, this begs the questions, are they all for you? Certainly not. Every user is looking for a very specific set of features. Therefore, this is definitely not a ‘one size fits all’ type of deal.
For this very reason, we have put together a set of eleven different brake line benders that are fairly versatile in terms of application, features, and usage. Hopefully, you will be able to find your perfect fit in the midst of all these tools as well!
Comparison Table of Best Brake Line Benders
Top 11 Picks for the Best Brake Line Bender
1. Eastwood 49074 Brake Line Forming Tool
The Eastwood 49074 Brake Line forming tool is a three in one lean machine that you can use to adjust, alight, and bend your hard lines with a simple flick of the wrist. It can bend hard fuel lines anywhere between 1/4” and 3/16,” which is a much nicer alternative than doing so by hand.
Regardless of whether you are working on decreasing the radius of the bend or installing new hard lines, this will come in handy in any situation. The jagged jaws on the end of this tool allow you to grip hard lines with ease by working as pliers to make the chore less strenuous.
Additionally, there are vinyl grips at the ends allow for a firm grip that is easier on your hands, especially if you are going to be using the brake line bender for an extended period of time because it prevents your hands from getting cramped up.
The best part is that you can use this brake line bender without having to worry about leaving imprints or kinks on the surface you are working on. This is a common concern with most standard pliers but not this one.
- Can be used for 3/16” and 1/4” fuel lines
- Vinyl grips reduce strain on hands
- Does not leave behind kinks on the supporting structure
- Jagged jaws for ease of handling lines
- Quite sharp; may leave kinks in the line
- Not well suited to softer metal lines
Bottom line
As our very first pick on this list, this brake line bender has proven itself a favorite among buyers all over the place, and we think you will agree as well once you get a hold of it!
2. Imperial Tool 470FH Triple Head Tube Bender
The Imperial Tool tube bender is truly in a league of its own, as evident by the name. With quick action indexing levers forming the main components of the bender, it also has two separate stage handles that meet halfway during the bending process.
The aforementioned features allow you to use the bender all the way up to 180 degrees with minimal effort, which is both fitting in terms of functionality and reducing the effort or the strain that you have to put yourself through if you were doing the task by hand.
It offers a good range of bending radius that is more or less compatible with most tubing sizes in the market. The handles do not cross over either, which gives you a lot more control over the bending process, which bodes well for the task at hand.
The design of the tube bender is fairly compact as well, so you can use it in confined spaces as well. Besides, there are cushion grips on the handles that provide the bender a lot more stability while it is in use.
- Up to 180-degree bending made possible
- Compact design/size, useful in tight spaces
- Cushion grip handles reduce strain
- Stable and comfortable to use for extended period of time
- Only suitable for OD dimensions/tubing
- Not well suited for stainless steel tubing
Bottom line
Overall you cannot really go wrong with the Imperial tube bender because it has all the fixings that make it a crowd favorite in our books and hopefully yours as well!
3. Flexzion Manual Tube Bender Tool
In case you were looking for something a bit more versatile in terms of application, the Flexzion is a pretty good bet. It can bend pretty much any 1/2” OD hydraulic tubing, whether it is made of copper, steel, brass, and aluminum, although there are some width restrictions in place for each.
It allows you to bend tubing up to 90 degrees using only a fraction of the time and effort. With two precise open side design slips on either side, you have much more control over the bending process, so you end up with significantly more accurate bends.
The hook grips are fairly wide set and are designed ergonomically for optimal efficiency. These also give you a much firmer grip on the tubing you are working with, so you don’t run the risk of having the bender slip and mess up the entire fuel line.
It does come with a scale of sorts too, which is calibrated to indicate the degree to which you are bending a certain hard line. For short radius bends, you can even go as high as 180 degrees and track your progress by looking at the markings.
- Can bend tubing between 90 to 180 degrees
- Quick and accurate bends for hard lines
- Compatible with various metal lines
- Wide ergonomic grips for easy handling
- More suited to OD tubing
- May not be recommended for harder metal lines
Bottom line
As long as the shoe fits, the Flexion is a pretty handy tool to have around, especially if you tend to work with soft metal tubing on a regular basis.
4. OTC 6515 3-in-1 Heavy Duty Tubing Bender
The OTC 3-in-1 heavy duty tubing bender is the very embodiment of the phrase ‘less is more’ because it is one of the most simple models we have on this list, but it isn’t any less resourceful, and you’ll see why in just a second.
It can make up to 180 degree bends in most metal tubing that has been manufactured from aluminum, steel, copper, and brass. Also, you can use it for three different sizes of tubing ranging from 1/4”, 5/16”, and last but not least the 3/8”, making this the complete package.
The design is ergonomic with wide-set handles that make the bender very easy to handle. Having such a long lever definitely takes the strain off of your wrist as you set to work. The whole thing itself is fairly lightweight and hence easy to carry anywhere.
- Compatible with brass, copper, steel, and aluminum tubing
- Bends tubing up to 180 degrees
- Compatible with 1/4”, 3/8”, and 5/16” tubing
- Ergonomic design, easy to grip
- Does not bend the other way around
- Only for round tubing
Bottom line
The OTC tubing bender is a pretty versatile piece of hardware to have around if you’re in a pinch, so definitely keep this one in your good books.
5. Automotive Brake Line Pliers For Tubing With Tube Cutter
If you want a good two-in-one deal, then the Automotive Brake Line Pliers are the ones for you. As evident by the title, they are multifunctional and act as pliers as well as brake line benders, which bode well because you don’t have to get a bunch of hardware separately.
The tube cutter components can be used to cut through several types of tubing. If you want more specific numbers, you can expect anywhere between 1/8” to 17/8” in terms of tubing radius, which entails most small tubing structures.
The tube cutter will work really well for softer metal tubing. However, it can be used for stainless steel, copper, nickel, aluminum, and well as the regular kind of steel. For good measure, you can do some more research on the subject, so you get the most suitable tube cutter.
- Multiple functions such as bending as well as cutting hard lines
- Two-in-one tool eliminates the need for additional hardware
- Ideal for cutting through small metal tubing
- Can cut through most metal tubing
- May not be suitable for larger tubing
- Requires a bit more skill to get the job done
Bottom line
For the most part, you are good to go with this automotive tubing bender and cutter, especially if you need it for small scale usage.
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6. Lisle 44150 Tubing Bender Pliers
The Lisle 44150 Tubing Bender Pliers has a very minimalistic design that goes a long way in showing how simpler is better. You can use it for most 3/16” brake lines, and it does not run the risk of leaving behind kinks or flattened spots on the line.
Since it has a pretty compact and slim design, it is easy to handle and takes up very little room. This makes it ideal for use in tighter spaces that you may not have access to otherwise. The unique design at the head allows you to bend any kind of tubing while leaving it unscathed.
The handles of the tubing bender are quite a wide set, about three and a quarter inches, to be exact. This large of a lever significantly reduces the effort you have to put in to bend brakes lines. It offers quite a bit of leverage when it comes to steel tubing as well.
Besides reducing the effort it takes, you also get a much grip on the tubing at hand, which is great because it minimizes the strain and the time that it takes to get the job done.
- Compact package dimensions
- Ideal for using in tighter and confined spaces
- Easy to handle due to wide set grips
- Gives you more control over the bending process
- More suited for smaller tubing
- Might leave marks on the line
Bottom line
For the Lisle tubing bender pliers, you will be much better off using it with smaller tubing or softer metal brake lines, but the end result will nevertheless be pleasing!
7. ION Tool 3-in-1 Tubing Bender
With a great ergonomic design and a beautiful exterior to match, this ION Tool 3-in-1 tubing bender is exactly what you need in your hardware kit. It has a calibration scale and can bend various types of brake lines ranging from 0 degrees all the way up to 180 degrees.
To be specific, it can work with aluminum, brass, copper, as well as stainless steel as long as it is particularly thin tubing. You also get to work with three different tubing sizes, including the 5/16”, 1/4”, and the 3/8” tubing.
The gauge is fairly easy to read so you can get a pretty good idea of what you are doing and how far you are bending the brake line as you are working. The handles are wide-set and have ridges that prevent your hands from slipping.
This gives you a pretty good grip and allows for much more control over the process in order to prevent any mistakes. Manufactured from premium quality aluminum, the durability and longevity of the tubing bender pretty much speaks for itself, so you’re good on that front.
- Bends tubing from 0 all the way to 180 degrees
- Works with 1/4″, 3/8”, and 5/16” tubing
- Wide-set ridged handles to prevent slippage
- Aluminum manufacturing, durable in the long term
- Cannot bend square bending
- Will not work for think steel rods
Bottom line
The ION tool tubing bender is ideal for small scale usage and works with most brake line tubing, so you’re good to go here!
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8. Brake Line Tube Bending Pliers
These Brake Line Tube Bending Pliers are really as basic as it gets, which you can’t take either way depending on how you look at the situation. Considering the glass half full, we believe that these are pretty easy to get the hang of because of the simple design, making the pliers ideal for beginners.
However, don’t be fooled because it may seem simple enough, but it can easily bend most standard tubing you come across on a regular basis. To be specific, it is most compatible with 1/4” and 3/16” tubing. It is best not to experiment with other types of tubing, especially if they are much large in order to avoid damaging the tubing or the pliers.
The pliers have been forged from carbon steel that makes them very durable. In the long run, you will not find the need to replace these pliers because they will work just fine. Therefore, it is a good one-time investment to solve all your problems.
Also, they have comfortable grips that reduce the strain on your hands even further because it prevents slipping. You can use these on the go to bend, align, or adjust any sort of tubing with ease and that too without leaving behind any kinks on the tubing.
- Comfortable handgrip for ease of use
- Works with both 3/16” and ¼” tubing
- Carbon steel material, sturdy and durable
- Easy to use for beginners
- Jaws may be slightly misaligned
- Not particularly versatile in terms of applications
Bottom line
If you are looking for a no-nonsense set of pliers to include in your hardware kit, you will be quite pleased with what we have here, and we hope you will see for yourself soon enough!
9. Gino Development TruePower Brake Line Forming Tool With Pliers and Bender
The Gino Development TruePower Brake Line forming tool comes off as quite a mouthful, doesn’t it? However, we appreciate it because it does not hold back when it comes to versatility in terms of both usage and applications.
With nine inches worth of sturdy carbon steel, this brake line bender does not flake when it comes to performance and durability. Vinyl grips at the ends allow for a much better grip, and the extended length of the pliers makes for a much better lever, which reduces the amount of effort you have to put in.
In terms of compatibility, you are good to go with pretty much all kinds of tubing having radii or 3/16” and 1/4”. This does encompass most standard fuel lines and brake lines so you can rest assured on that front as well.
- Bending lines without leaving kinks
- Can align and adjust any kind of tubing
- Works with 3/16” and ¼” tubing
- Forged from carbon steel with vinyl grips for ease of use
- Not built for straightening hard lines
- Better for smaller radii
Bottom line
For a multipurpose brake forming tool, this one does tick several of the boxes making your job a whole lot easier, especially if you are a beginner in this particular field of work.
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10. ABN Brass Brake Line Forming Bending Tool Pliers
Just when you thought all the fun was over, we bring you the ABN brass brake line forming tool. The ABN doubles as a brake line bender and a set of pliers all in one, and yes, we can’t overlook the fact that the manufacturing is quite unique as well owing to the brass outer body.
You can use the ABN bending pliers on 3/16” and 1/4” tubing whether you are working with brake lines or fuel lines, this little tool will get the job done. You can use the single tool to adjust, bend, and even align different types of tubing until you are satisfied with the end result.
If you have any qualms about the durability of this tool, then rest assured because it has been forged from carbon steel, meaning the strength is already spoken for, and then some. With ridged grips on the handles, you can work for long periods of time without your hands slipping or experiencing any discomfort.
For a lot of brake line benders, users worry that they might damage the tubing they are working with. However, the ABN has pretty well-aligned jaws that do not leave any kinks or other signs of damage once you are done.
- Works will ¼” and 3/16” tubing
- Forged from carbon steel, long term durability assured
- Well-aligned jaws for easily adjusting or bending tubing
- Ridged hand grips for comfort
- Not as versatile in terms of application
- May not be suitable for stainless steel tubing
Bottom line
For use on the daily, the ABN brake line is very low maintenance. You do not have to worry about it rusting or going dull any time soon.
11. ABN Brake Line Tubing Forming Bending Tool Pliers
With most users, a common fear is ending up with a brake line bender that will leave kinks on the tubing you are working on. This is especially true for bends on larger angles such as 90 degrees to 180-degree bends, which can leave behind crimps on the surface.
However, you can rid yourself of these concerns with the new ABN brake line forming tool that doubles as a brake line bender and set of pliers. It is good for several types of metal tubing, including copper, brass, aluminum, and stainless steel tubing, as long as the walls are particularly thin.
The ABN brake line bender can work with tubing with three different radii mainly the 1/4”, 5/16”, and 3/8” which covers most of the standard brake lines or fuel lines out there. There is a calibration scale on the pliers as well, which allows you to monitor the degree to which you are bending your lines while you are doing so, so you don’t go overboard.
There are few brake line benders out there that are as precise as the ABN brake line forming tool. Manufactured from sturdy aluminum alloy and with comfortable handle grips to match, you can’t count on it to be a pain in terms of usage or performance. With a tool as durable as this one, you will not feel the need to invest in anything else.
- Works with several types of metals
- Can bend thin-walled stainless steel tubing as well
- Calibration scale for precise bending and adjusting of tubing
- Durable and comfortable to use for extended periods of time
- Not suitable for hard tubing
- May not be compatible with 3/16” tubing
Bottom line
For a wide variety of applications, this ABN brake line forming tool cuts it pretty well, which has earned it on the coveted spots on our list here.
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Buyer’s Guide Best Brake Line Benders
Performance
A common concern with brake line forming tools is that they can crimp up the tubing you are working on, or leave behind kinks or markings on the surface. Therefore, you will want to ensure that you don’t end up with such a bender that damages your tubing.
For this purpose, it is a good practice to check to see if the jaws of the brake line forming tool are properly aligned. This does not even depend on the brand. There may be some units which have this malfunction so you have to be careful.
Durability
When it comes to buying hardware, it is a one-time thing for the most part and for good reason because it certainly does not come cheap. Therefore, you should be on the lookout for a brake line forming tool with carbon steel or aluminum alloy construction because that will last in the long haul.
Features
Most brake line forming tools serve as benders and pliers while there are some that may be more restricted in terms of applications. There is nothing wrong with any of these per se so you should just make sure that you end with the one that will fulfill your requirements in the best way.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is brake line forming tool?
A brake line forming tool is a tool used as a tubing bender and a pair of pliers typically used to install or bend hard lines or tubing such as brake lines or fuel lines.
- What do you use a brake line forming tool for?
A brake line forming tool has several different purposes including adjusting, bending, or aligning hard lines or metal tubing for installations.
- How do you use a brake line forming tool?
You can use a brake line forming tool much like a regular set of pliers. All you need to do is a get a good grip on the line you want to bend and make a calculated flick of the wrist to get the job done.
- How heavy is a brake line forming tool?
Brake line forming tools are fairly lightweight with most of them only weighing a few ounces. At most, they can weigh about a pound but that’s really it.
- Is a brake line bender the same as brake line forming tool?
Yes, the two are pretty much the same thing but brake line forming tools might double as pliers as well while brake line benders are a bit restricted.
- Can pliers be used as brake line forming tools?
You can use pliers as brake line forming tools in a pinch but it is recommended that you get the real thing in order to prevent any damage that may be caused by regular pliers.
- Can brake line forming tools bending stainless steel tubing?
Some brake line benders can bend stainless steel tubing provided that the walls are really thin but it is not a regular feature.
- How long does a brake line bender last?
A brake line bender can last up to several years depending on the quality and how well you maintain it between uses.
- How much does a brake line bender cost?
A brake line bender can cost anywhere between USD 20 and USD 50 depending on the one that you choose because the price can vary depending on the manufacturer.
- What is the best brake line forming tool?
The answer to this depends entirely on what appeals to you. However, some of the top contenders are the Eastwood, Imperial, and Flexzion brake line benders.
Final Thoughts
With all these brake line forming tools at your disposal, you can really take your time to go through each of them and what they have to offer. There will likely be one or at least a couple of winners that will stick right out depending on what you are looking for specifically. If that happens, we’ll consider our job done, good luck!