Hi Mr Saxalby,
what a lovely job…..
as for the pipe do u need to have the elbow to make it look correct…….I think ur allowed a little freedom with the design there here….as per usual any fractures would be around any of the joints….less joints less problems….
If it were mine I make the pipe in one piece and allow enough material for a loop in the design, even a slightly longer elbow would help……
it depends if u can do it ur-self..?,…it's not so hard….do u have the tube benders….?…..if it were bigger u could blank off one end and fill with sand….annealing first of course…..have u many more to fabricate..?
personally if u are worried find ur-self a friendly Hydraulic engineers they have all the necc equipment to shape it any way u wish…no kinks or ripples…..remember they normally work with steel or stainless……they are used to working with delicate materials and they are aware of keeping it looking a smart job….
wish luck….more photos please….like ur work…what a brilliant forum……
Frank in France