Quick update.
Re the
Sealey VS5056 Brake Pipe Straightener.
Although the Kwix tool is likely to be better (and easier) the Sealey works quite well for such a cheap tool (I paid £7.39 inc postage). On a 150cm length it produces more of a gentle arc than a dead straight pipe but it's a good starting point. There are two ways of using it: either a) push it forward onto the pipe coil in a twisting motion, or b) hold it stationary while the pipe is
pulled through it.
The problem with method a) is that it's difficult to get enough grip to supply the necessary forward force. If they'd put a big flange on one end it would have been far easier because there'd be something to push against.
The problem with method b) is that unless you've got an assistant you have to keep stopping to move your pipe-pulling hand closer to the coil, which tends to put a kink in the piece of pipe you've just straightened. If they'd made it bench-mountable (and you've got an assistant) it would work a treat - you could straighten the whole 25ft coil in one go just by walking backwards without releasing your grip on the pipe.
So my opinion is it's good for the price but a bench-mountable version with one or two flanges would be a vast improvement.
