Re: bending aluminum or copper tubing
What dia and wall thickness are you trying to bend?
With copper tubing you can anneal it first which makes it much more flexible and easier to work with. I build model steam engines and when I am bending the copper tubing for plumbing certain part "usually 1/4" or less OD" I simply take a aluminum rod slightly larger than the radius I want bent, and machine a slot into it the same width as the diameter of the tube, heat the tube to a dull red color with propane torch "annealing it" then let it cool and put it in the slot and bend it.
I have always annealed copper before trying to shape it, its amazing how much easier it is to work with.
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