How to Bend Steel Tubing

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A project may require bending steel tubing for any number of reasons. Based on the size of tubing and the type of bend you need to make, you have several options for bending steel tubing from home.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Bending Steel Tubing with a Tube Bender

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  1. Your local hardware store will have a variety of tube benders available at different price points. The major differences may include the amount of hydraulic force the bender can apply to the tube as well as the size and durability of the accompanying die set.
    • The dies are curved pieces you attach to the bender and into which you place the tubing to form the bend. The different dies will correspond to different diameters of tubing. Additionally, you can find die sets for either round or square tubing.
    • Ensure that you buy a tube bender and not a pipe bender. Tube and pipe are not synonymous, and the scaling is even different, so the dies in a pipe bending set will not properly fit tube. This usually leads to flattening, buckling, or kinks in tube bent with a pipe bender.
  2. As always, specific machinery may have specific steps due to design or other requirements. Thoroughly consult the directions that come with your equipment.
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  3. For instance, if you need to bend 1” tubing, then you would select the 1” die. [1]
    • Using the correct die is very important. If the tubing doesn’t fit snugly into the die, then you can end up with a flattened or kinked finished product.
  4. Once you attach the die, you will feed the tube into the bender so that the spot where you want to bend is in the center of the die. You will then tighten down the bender, which will have a pneumatic jack, enough to keep the tubing in place.
  5. You cannot set the bender to a specific degree angle for you and let it do the rest, so this means measuring the exact angle to which you need your tube bent. [2]
    • The easiest solution is to use a digital angle gauge, which you can attach to the level tube before you begin bending. As you incrementally bend the tube, the angle gauge will track the measurement of the angle.
  6. As you increase the force in the bender, the tube will bend to sharper angles. Once your angle gauge has measured the angle you want, you can release the pressure on the tube and remove it from the machine. [3]
  7. Since using too much force can still lead to kinks in a bent tube, practice on scrap tubing before placing a more expensive piece into the bender.
    • Packing the tube with sand before placing it in the bender can also help it bend evenly without buckling or kinking. [4]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Bending Steel Tubing with a Blowtorch

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  1. If you do not already own one, you will likely need an acetylene torch for this method as it requires the application of constant, high heat. [5]
  2. Crank down the vice so that the tube cannot move; however, do not apply so much pressure that you crush the tube.
    • Some vices have specific slots for rounded pipe or tube. This is preferable but not necessary.
  3. With the acetylene torch, you will need to apply constant, even heat to the area around where you need to bend. Make sure that apply the heat to the entire cylinder (or square) of the tube and not just the side where you need to bend it. [6] The additional malleability will help the tube bend evenly instead of just buckling in one spot.
  4. Do not yank at the tubing. Instead apply a slow, firm force that increases gradually. [7]
    • You can apply the force with a wrench, a larger piece of tube over one end used as a pry bar, or by hand. However, the tube will be extremely hot, so use thick gloves rated for heat.
    • This step may require assistance so that one person can apply force to the tube while the other continues heating.
    • Packing the tubing with a non-combustible material such as sand before applying heat will help the tube bend without buckling or kinking.
  5. One of the easier ways of measuring your bend with this method is to make a template of the bend and cut it from another material, such as a scrap piece of plywood. As the angle increases, remove heat long enough to hold the template against the bend and increase incrementally and accordingly. [8]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Bending Using a Tube Roller

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  1. If you need an even arc over several heat of tubing as opposed to one bend, then a tube roller is going to produce much better results. You can find a tube roller at most hardware stores, and they’re actually going to be cheaper than pneumatic bending devices.
    • As with tube benders, your tube roller may come with a set of dies, so you can fit the exact size of tube you need to roll without the risk of flattening it.
  2. A tube roller works by placing increased force on a piece of tubing, then rolling it back and forth over the force to create an even bend. Begin by placing the tube into the roller with the appropriately sized die holding it in place. [9]
    • With a tube roller, you will start at one end rather than in the middle.
  3. Most tube rollers will have a hex head bit, so you can use a regular wrench to increase the force in the vice. [10]
  4. For basic tube roller models, the device will simply have a large wheel attached that your turn to feed the tube through and under the applied force. [11]
    • Turning the wheel will require a bit of strength, especially as you increase the force on the tube in later passes.
  5. Once you have passed the tube from one end to the other down the roller, you should increase the force in the vice by tightening the rod by approximately another quarter of a turn. [12]
  6. The wheel on the roller allows you to turn either direction, so with more pressure on the tube, you’ll roller it back through in the opposite direction. [13]
  7. Continue tightening the roller by a quarter turn after each pass through the device and rolling it again. After several passes, you’ll notice the nice, even arc forming on the tube. Continue rolling until you have the angle you need.
    • If you have a template for the exact angle you need, you can hold it again the angle in the tube after each pass until you’ve achieved your desired result. [14]
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  • Question
    Is there gain or loss when bending?
    Community Answer
    Loss, if it is used to convey water or LPG. If the tubing is thick or of a high gauge, this reduces the chance of micro pores that may cause water or LPG to seep. Putting sand in the pipe when bending it may resolve this issue if the pipe is of low gauge or low thickness. The heating of the sand when bending the pipe may fill the micro pores. Depending on the pipe, this may or may not be an issue. A high gauge or thickness of pipe may redress this detail.
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  • Question
    What are the names of the parts of pipe-threading machine?
    Community Answer
    A pipe threader, or sometimes called a die. The other tool is a tap for making screw holes. The die is used for making external threads.
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      Warnings

      • As with any instance using a blowtorch, be extremely cautious, wear safety gear, and keep a fire extinguisher on hand.
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        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
      • Always read the manuals for any piece of machinery and take every precaution.
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      • Hydraulic benders place tubing under extreme force and shattered pieces can fly around. Always increase force incrementally and with caution.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Eye protection, #3 glasses or mask for using torch.
      • Gloves, the heavier duty the better.
      • Breaker bar/bender bar for torch method
      • Acetylene torch for torch method
      • Hydraulic bender for Hydraulic Bending Method
      • Sand for Hydraulic method
      • A plan or design
      • Steel tubing (metal supply store)
      • Tube roller for rolling method
      • Wrench

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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html
      2. ↑ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html
      3. ↑ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/bendin_tube/index.html
      4. ↑ http://www.technologystudent.com/equip_flsh/pipe1.html
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8mMQbEkr8w
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8mMQbEkr8w
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8mMQbEkr8w
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8mMQbEkr8w
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmU4QmmuaX8
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmU4QmmuaX8
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmU4QmmuaX8
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmU4QmmuaX8
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmU4QmmuaX8
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmU4QmmuaX8

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To bend steel tubing, use a tube bender, which you can pick up at your local hardware store. Make sure you get a tube bender and not a pipe bender since a pipe bender won't fit steel tubing and it may cause buckling or kinks. You can also bend steel tubing by securing it in a vice and heating it up with a blow torch until you're able to bend it. If you need to make an even arc over several pieces of tubing, use a tube roller, which you can find at your local hardware store. To learn how to use a tube bender and tube roller, keep reading!

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