Uncoiling flexible tubing.

Step-by-Step

Because flexible copper tubing is soft, always handle it gently. Uncoil tubing by straightening it out every few inches as you go. If the tubing comes in a box, grip the box, and carefully pull the tubing upward.

Cutting flexible tubing.

Cut flexible tubing with a tubing cutter or a hacksaw. Remove any burrs on the inside of the tubing by inserting the reaming blade of the tubing cutter and twisting. Or, use a metal file.

Making tight bends.

Bend the flexible tubing in gradual, sweeping arcs, or it will surprise you by suddenly kinking, and you'll have to throw the piece away. Kinks seriously impede water flow and are almost impossible to reshape.

If you need to make a fairly tight turn, use a coil-spring tubing bender like the one shown here. Slide the bender to the point you need a tight bend and, with it in place, bend the tubing. With one of these tools, it is nearly impossible to kink the tubing.

Prepping flexible tubing.

Rub the end of the tubing lightly with emery cloth to remove dirt and grease. With compression or flare fittings, you don't need to polish as much as for a soldered joint. Join tubing by using compression fittings (see Using Compression Fittings, Related Projects) or flare fittings (see Using Flare Fittings, Related Projects), or by soldering (see Working with Rigid Copper Pipe, Related Projects).