How to Bend PVC Pipe
Bending PVC pipe for a home project or underground installation is an affordable way to manipulate the rigid plastic pipe. The end usage of the pipe will dictate how tight the radius of the bend should be. A good rule of thumb is to use a 1-gallon paint can for a ½- to 1-inch diameter pipe as a bending form; a larger pipe of up to 2 inches in diameter can be formed around a 5-gallon plastic bucket. Bending PVC yourself can save you some money by not having to purchase those special preformed fittings. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure Black dry marker PVC pipe Radius forms, 1-gallon paint can or 5-gallon bucket Electric heat gun 2 2-by-4 pieces of wood Wet rags
Instructions
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Use the tape measure and dry marker to identify on the pipe were the center of the bend is to be placed. A general rule of thumb for bending the pipe is to place another mark 6 to 10 inches on both sides of the center mark of the bend. This will be the "heat zone" of the pipe--the area to apply heat from the heat gun.
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Set the radius forms next to the pipe that you are going heat. The closer the can or bucket is to the pipe, the easier it will be to form the pipe bend. The can or bucket should be set on end with the open side facing upwards.
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3
Lay the marked piece of pipe on the two scrap pieces of 2-by-4s. The end heat zone marks should be inside the 2-by-4s with the pipe supported off of the ground.
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4
Plug in the heat gun and turn it on. Hold the heat gun approximately 2 to 3 inches from the pipe to prevent scorching of the plastic surface.
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Move the gun slowly over the length of the marked heat zone. With every pass to each black mark, turn the pipe in a clockwise direction about a quarter of a turn.
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Heat the pipe until the plastic begins to sag in-between the two scrap 2-by-4 supports.
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Shut the heat gun off and lay it to the side away from you so you do not burn yourself.
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Grasp the sagging pipe on both side of the heat zone marks and gently lay it over the radius form. Gently form the pipe over the round surface and roll it in a clockwise direction to keep the pipes shape. At the same time, pull the pipe around the form to shape the bend you desire.
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Lay the pipe to the ground once the shape has been formed and gently wipe the warm pipe with the wet rag. The wet rag will aid in cooling the pipe and set the bend to re-harden the plastic.
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Tips & Warnings
You may want to begin with some scrap PVC pipe to practice this technique.
Be sure to perform all plastic heating in a well-ventilated area, as heated plastic will emit fumes that may be toxic.
