Tips for building custom brake lines?

[ViperMan]

It's not E-body related, but I'm about to build some brake lines from my master cylinder down to my new front brakes.  I have some really nice tools I just purchased - flaring tools, tubing straightener, tubing bender, tube cutter, and handheld pliers for "fine-detail" bending - all from Eastwood.  I'm kinda wondering though how to lay out that "first path" and how to put the bends in just the right spots, ya know?

Any tips/tricks/hints are appreciated!!

[GoodysGotaCuda]

I've used tig welding wire to lay out areas, it's a couple feet in length and easy to bend. Mark the center of the bend and make sure you get the bend direction correct. It's nice to hold the wire up next to the bender to help validate what you are doing before you actually bend the material

[Racer57]

Be careful and not make sections so long that you can't get them flex/bent/twisted into place without getting a kink in the line. Using a lift will help a lot ! 

[Rich G.]

3/16 lines are very easy to work with unless you're use stainless. Don't forget to slide on some stone guard in the areas where something might hit the line. Make sure you put the fittings on before you flare the line and make sure you double flare the lines. Should be pretty easy.

[jimynick]

The new cupronickel line is supposed to be a dream to work with. I'd already bought SS lines for my Challenger and so didn't use it, but 2 shops said it bends and flares very nicely. It's pricier than mild steel 3/16th line, but will not rust and that probably makes it worth the extra cake to buy it. Do a trial fit or use the old line to make a template to bend the new one and have a good, tight flare block to prevent the line sliding when you flare it. You can also but pre-coated line which usually comes in designated lengths and one may be right for you and has the bonus of being already flared and fixed with flare nuts. Have fun 

[Chryco Psycho]

I built a number of lines last summer using a black coated line , [forget the name brand ] but no bender needed , it will not crush or rust , fantastic to work with , you can bend with your fingers & make nice tight bends

[Dakota]

I had a to replace a front brake line on my truck last year and found that a section of wire from metal coat hangar worked fine for relatively short lengths.   It's a different wire vs. what Goody used, but otherwise I did what he said (except he's done it on WAY cooler vehicles than mine).