bending aluminum or copper tubing

[scottyk]

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.