Here's what my buddy Roger did:
http://www.wc101.com/articles/coppertubing.php
...and yes, he did use vynil for the connections to the blocks.
He made a reference to a "tube bending spring". Is that what you were talking about?
I'd like to be able to make really tight bends, but if I have to, I'll use 45 elbows fittings. The problem is still that there's no fitting that'll accept a 3/4 braided hose with ease.