I picked up the materials to make a manifold in my 5gal cylindrical igloo cooler. I have the dimensions I need for the tubing, but when i start to bend the tubing it wants to start crimping and not really making a circle. Anyone have an econimical way to bend tubing?

If you look in the plumbing section at big-box hardware stores, you'll find a long spring-like device meant to be slipped over the tube and support it while bending. They're pretty inexpensive, but I've never actually used it. I don't know why I haven't, I just prefer to crimp and curse I guess...

Do you know any electricians, their bender will work.

Tube benders are the way to go.

I just did a quick look on the Home Depot site and they have a three piece set for about $11.00. http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100647978/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

However, I have heard of people filling tubing with sand and then bending it. I've never tried this though.

I have a manifold system in my cooler but it since it is a rectangular cooler I, of course, made a rectangular manifold. This was turned out to be a good thing because I could use off the shelf parts (straight sections and prefabricated elbows) and not have to deal with bending the tubing myself.

- Scott

Did you get soft copper(a coil) or straight tube? I am not sure if u can bend the straght stuff. The spring benders work great for soft copper though. But of course the elbows and stuff do not fit the soft copper. But you can use brass commpression fittings

Soft copper tubing. You can't bend hard drawn copper unless you heat it to a high temp and then work it. regular fittings will work on soft copper.