How To Work With Flexible Copper Tubing (Uncoil, Cut & Bend!)

Flexible copper tubing is pliable enough to make all but the sharpest turns in your pipe. When you use it you don’t have to install a fitting every time you make a turn as you would with a rigid copper pipe.

I’m going to show you how to uncoil, cut, and bend it so you can use it in your DIY plumbing projects.

1. How to Uncoil Flexible Copper Tubing

To prepare the tubing for your project, you’ll need about 15 minutes to bend and cut the tubing (for a relatively short run of pipe). You’ll also need (1) a tubing cutter, (2) a coil-spring tubing bender, and (3) some emery cloth.

Keep in mind, in almost every case, you will be connecting flexible copper pipe to compression and flare fittings. This is different than rigid copper pipe, which is soldered.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • Handle flexible copper pipe gently because it is soft.
  • As you uncoil the pipe, straighten it out every few inches as you go.
  • If the tubing comes in a box, grip the box and carefully pull out the tubing.
Copper often comes rolled like this (with a clear plastic wrapper holding it all together) in a hardware store. You can also find it packaged in a box.

2. How to Cut Flexible Copper Tubing

  • Cut the flexible copper with a tubing cutter.
  • To remove burrs on the inside of the cut end, insert the reaming blade of the tubing cutter into the end and twist it (or you can use a metal file).
This is one type of pipe cutter that will cut both rigid and flexible copper. You can purchase a tube or pipe cutter with or without a reaming blade. Some tube cutters are circular (which appear different than the type shown here). Both, however, are effective at cutting copper pipes.

3. How to Bend Flexible Copper Tubing

  • Bend the flexible copper pipe in gradual sweeping arcs. If you don’t, it will surprise you by suddenly kinking.
  • If that happens, you’ll need to throw the piece away. Kinks seriously impede water flow and are almost impossible to reshape.
  • If you need to make a fairly tight bend, use a coil-spring tubing bender as shown below.
  • Slide the tool over the tubing to the point where you need the tight turn and bend the tubing.
  • Now, slide the bender off the tubing.
Don’t let your pipe get kinked. Using a coil-spring pipe bender (just place it over the portion of the tube that needs to be bent) will prevent kinks and keep water from flowing efficiently through your pipes. A kink can also increase water pressure on a joint and cause a leak.

4. Polishing Flexible Copper Tubing

Polishing the flexible copper pipe is your final step before you use it in your plumbing.

  • Rub the end of the tubing lightly with emery cloth to remove any dirt and grease.
  • With compression or flare fittings, you don’t need to polish the pipe as much as you would have on a rigid copper pipe’s soldered joint.
Use a “180 grit” emery cloth to polish the copper pipe. You can find it here for

Final Thoughts

Working with this kind of tubing is easy and, well, flexible! But here’s a warning: don’t use it for a gas line. Natural gas will cause the inside of the copper tube to flake, which can damage appliances. Otherwise, have at it.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you need help with a rigid or flexible copper pipe in your plumbing project.

1-Tom-Plumber’s certified team of plumbers and drain technicians respond immediately to any emergency plumbing, drain cleaning, or water damage problem. We also handle the excavation of underground water lines and sewer main lines. Our immediate-response team is available every day and night of the year, even on holidays.

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