How to bend a pipe without a pipe bender

When it comes to self-construction or plumbing work using different types of pipes, it is often necessary to change their shape. It is worth saying that this type of work can be performed most qualitatively with the use of special technical devices, called for ease of understanding pipe benders.

However, the price of these, no doubt, convenient and necessary inventions makes them not quite affordable. Moreover, if it is not necessary to bend pipes permanently, then there is no point in acquiring a pipe bender. In this regard, it is quite natural that many people are interested in how to bend a pipe without a pipe bender.

Possible pipe bending options

To begin with, it is worth making a reservation that there are several options for bending pipes without using special technical devices. It is necessary to choose a specific method depending on a number of reasons, in particular, the pipe material, its diameter, cross-section, wall thickness, available tools and other conditions.

Metal pipe bending

If you need to bend a metal pipe of circular cross section, then as one of the possible options you can apply the following method. One of the ends of the pipe must be closed with a cork, for example, with a wooden wedge suitable for the diameter. After that, the internal volume of the pipe must be tightly filled with sifted sand. Next, the stopper closes and the second end of the pipe. After completing the preparatory stages of work, the pipe must be firmly fixed, for example, held in a vice. Next, you can proceed to the direct bending of the pipe.

This can be done both in a cold way and by heating the site. The first option can be used in the case of a small diameter and wall thickness, in more "serious" cases it is necessary to use a gas welding torch or a gasoline blowtorch.

Tip! Achieving the optimum temperature is easy to control by the color of the metal. When it turns red, the pipe can be bent.

The sand inside the pipe will not allow any jamming of the walls to occur, and the bend will be smooth and of high quality. It is worth making a reservation that it is possible to bend the pipe without a pipe bender in this way if it is made of non-colored metals.

Soft Metal Pipe

It often happens that for the manufacture of pipes (mainly used in plumbing) used non-ferrous metals, namely copper and aluminum. These pipes are much softer than their counterparts, made of steel, so these pipes can be bent without resorting to heating. But if the bending radius is large enough and there is a probability of deformation of the walls, then also, as in the case of steel pipes, it is necessary to resort to heating the bend section.

Tip! It is necessary to take into account the initially high plasticity of the metal; therefore, it is better to check the degree of heating with paper. It is enough to bring a small piece of paper to a heated place. In the case of fire or charring, you can get to work. At the same time care should be taken to prevent rupture of the pipe wall.

Plastic pipe

Recently, when carrying out plumbing work, plastic pipes have become quite widespread. They can be made entirely from polyvinyl chloride, or with the use of a reinforcing metal layer. It is worth saying that such pipes can be bent without using any tools at all, just with your hands. It is enough, as in the above cases, to fill them with sand. But you can use other methods. For example, to prevent the occurrence of tears and cracks, as well as wall fractures, a steel spring of a somewhat smaller diameter than the pipe itself can be inserted into the pipe. A wire of sufficient length is pre-attached to the spring so that after giving the required shape to the pipe, the spring can be pulled out. To facilitate the process of folding, it is possible to heat a pipe section with a construction dryer.

Bulgarian and welding

When it comes to bending a metal-shaped pipe, you can resort to one of the most common methods. This will require a grinder and a welding machine. On the required section of the profile pipe, you need to make a number of transverse cuts using a grinder. You need to cut three walls of the pipe, and then make a direct bending. As soon as the desired radius is reached, it is necessary to brew, which are formed when the slot is bent, and then process the welding points with a file.

In addition to the above, it is worth noting that various materials can be used as a filler for the internal volume. For example, small pieces of metal wire are suitable for this purpose. If the work is done in the cold season in open spaces, then you can pour water into the bend pipe and leave it for a while until freezing. The resulting ice will not cause critical deformations in the pipe walls.

Tip! It should be noted that these options are appropriate only for metal pipes. Plastic pipes have lower strength characteristics.

When bending pipes of any kind and size, it must be remembered that any change in the original shape of the pipe anyway, but affects the performance characteristics of the material. Ideally, before doing the "finishing" work, it is a good idea to practice on some pieces of pipes that can not be spoiled. It is not necessary to do this, but it is desirable, in view of the fact that the process requires not so much theoretical knowledge as the presence of practical skill.

Video

This video shows how to bend a metal-plastic pipe without a pipe bender: