How to Bend Metal Tubing

Metal tubing bender, this is a manual type.

Bending metal conduit or other metal pipe can be a necessity. It can also be very tough if you don't have the tools. Here's the how to that can make your life a little easier when working with metal pipe.

Things You'll Need

• Tubing bender in the appropriate size to match the size you are working with.
• Tape measure.
• Marker to mark the pipe.

Instructions

1. Tubing benders can be automatic or manual. Most common and most affordable is a manual bender. These can be either rented or bought from a local hardware store. The size of the pipe needs to match the bender or vice versa or the pipe may become damaged at the bend. This may also depend on what type of metal your bending.

2. The pipe and the bender will need to be handy in the location it's being installed. If you have a blue print you can bend the pipe to the specified angles using the blue prints. Most time however, especially your at home installs will not have a blue print so you have to custom bend your pipe. You can use the tap measure to measure the length of pipe to calculate where the bend goes. Mark that area with a marker. Depending on the size of the bender you may need to adjust length for the bend. If you are inexperienced, I recommend bending a section in practice so you can gauge the angles and lengths a little better.

3. Once the pipe is marked, it can be inserted in to the bender and bent to the correct angle. Benders do vary a little on how to use between makes. Most will work a little like sliding the pipe in so the mark is in the middle of the bend and then you lever the bender in the direction you want the bend to go. You will repeat this until the bends are all in the correct spots going in the direction you need.

   If the angle is off a little, you can adjust by pulling or pushing on the pipe when it is set in place. Softer metals will work better with this than harder metals.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the manual that comes with the bender so you become more familiar with the way the bender you have operates.

• Wearing safety glasses and gloves might help prevent injury, use the proper safety equipment to work safely.