bending 5/16 parts store steel line

PROSTOCKTOM said

I've bent .065" wall 4130 Chromemoly tubing with my Swagelok and it was all I could do by myself, so something in the .090" range in mild steel would be no problem.

Anymore wall thickness you need a hydraulic bender.

Tom

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We were bending 316 SS with the .093 wall. That took some effort. We had some 3/4" and 1" that required a geared bender. Functioned like the Swageloc, but had a gear that engaged a sector. When you got into the heavier wall tubing, even that required some strength.
And yes there are hydraulic benders. The company rented one for a couple of packages that spec'd 2" 316 SS drain tubing.
Then if you get into nuclear construction there is a friction welder to weld lengths of tube togeter so there is no union joints that could leak. Compression fittings only at the source point and the end.
On top of that the Swageloc fitters book lists tube material, size and pressure ratings for running and burst. Also about 8 tubing chemistries for different applications. A lot of stuff to be aware of in the instrumentaion field.