Bending 304 Stainless 1/2" Fuel Line ?

[kitcarbp]

ok folks, before I purchase some 1/2" 304 stainless fuel line I need some advice on hand formability from those that have worked with 1/2" 304 fuel line. I am making a hard line from fuel pump to the fuel tank. Total length will be about 4 feet. My plan is to use 0.028" wall thickness and buy seamless 304 tube from Graingers down the street. Is this the right grade and wall thickness to use ? Other SS in the aftermarket is 304 tube welded and drawn compared to seamless i am thinking of.

I have bent many 3/8" fuel lines and vacuum lines before in mild coated steel. I need a bend in the 1/2" stainless line by hand down to a radius of about 5" for my application. I have "spring benders" for tube bending that you slide over the tube, this works great for 3/8" lines IMHO. Will the spring benders also work for 1/2" SS 304 ? Feedback on what youve done is appreciated.

Thanks

[FWB]

yes seamless is good, but a 304L would make life easier. look at mcmaster-carr if grainger's doesn't list it. or "the micro group" (All Tube). hand forming may collapse, borrow a conduit bender.

[Jerry Clayton]

Altho I have benders for tube bending---if you need a 5 " radius--you probably can do it with a over spring and a v belt pulley that is about 9 or 10 inches in diameter--9 inches because of springback--- anneal the end before flaring

[mickmate]

Seamless for flared ends, annealed for formability. That's a big radius so shouldn't be a problem.

[WardL]

I think installing a SS fuel line is a great idea. Hope it goes well!

[kitcarbp]

Thanks guys, I'll post pics when I am done fabricating it back here on this thread. I read that the "low carbon" 304L spec is typically used when welding heavy gauge stainless plate, most tube is just 304 so far that I could find readily available.