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Shape and mold PVC conduit with a heat gun, sand, or other methods
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PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, is a durable material used in everything from irrigation to construction. Even though it’s strong stuff, it’s also pretty easy to manipulate and bend to achieve smooth corners and gradual curves. All you need is some heat! We’ve put together this simple guide for bending PVC with a heat gun or hair dryer, hot sand, and more so you can finish your DIY project just as you envisioned it without buying any specialty pipe-bending tools.
Things You Should Know
- Pour enough sand into the PVC pipe to fill it past the point you want to bend. This helps the pipe keep its shape and prevent kinks when you go to shape it.
- Then, set a heat gun to medium-high and hold it 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) from the pipe until it’s pliable, or about 2-3 minutes.
- Wear heat-proof gloves and use your hands to bend the heated PVC into shape, or bend the PVC around a metal can to make a more uniform shape.
Steps
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Mark where you want to bend the pipe with a marker. Make a mark where the center of the bend needs to be, then mark an extra 6–8 in (15–20 cm) on either side of this center mark. This will be your "heat zone," where you direct the heat. [1] X Research source
- Keep your planned bends at least 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) away from any joints for the best results.
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Fill the pipe with sand 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) above your bend mark. This step isn’t strictly necessary, but the sand helps the pipe keep its shape as you bend it. [2] X Research source Make sure the sand fills the entire area of the planned bend.
- You may need to block the end of the pipe with tape or a pipe cap to prevent the sand from falling out.
- Or, insert a specialized bending spring that’s about 1–2 mm (0.039–0.079 in) smaller than the diameter of the pipe.
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Heat the planned bend area with a heat gun or hair dryer until it’s pliable. Set the heat gun to medium-high (or a hair dryer to high) and position it 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) from the pipe. Slowly move it back and forth along the planned bend, slowly rotating the pipe as you do so. [3] X Research source
- How long you heat the pipe depends on its size and thickness. It may take several minutes, so heat the pipe until it begins to bend slightly on its own, from gravity.
- Note that a hair dryer may take significantly longer to adequately heat the pipe since it outputs much less heat than a heat gun.
- Heat your PVC outside or in a well-ventilated area and consider wearing a protective mask . PVC can emit toxic chemicals when heated.
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Slowly bend the pipe, applying more heat as necessary. While wearing heat-proof gloves , gently bend the pipe to your desired shape, reheating it as necessary. For a more exact and uniform bend, bend the pipe around a metal can or other sturdy object to provide a predetermined shape. [4] X Research source
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Allow the pipe to cool for 5-10 minutes, then remove the sand. Keep the bent pipe in position for 5-10 minutes while it cools or pour cold water over it to speed up the process. [5] X Research source Then, pour the sand out of the pipe.
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Mark the planned bend on the pipe with a marker. Mark where the center of the bend will be, then also mark 6–8 in (15–20 cm) on either side of this center mark. This provides a clear guide for when you go to bend the pipe. [6] X Research source
- Plan to make your bends at least 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) away from any joints for the best results.
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Heat a tray of sand in the oven at 450 °F (232 °C) for about an hour. Pour enough sand to fill the planned bend into a metal tray, then heat it in the oven for about an hour. [7] X Research source Use a thermometer to monitor the sand, and take it out when it reaches about 300–400 °F (149–204 °C).
- Mix the sand with a spoon every 20 minutes or so to help it heat evenly.
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Fill the pipe with hot sand so that it fills the planned bend area. Block off one end of the pipe with heat-proof tape or a pipe cap. Then, wearing heat-proof gloves, use a metal spoon or a funnel to transfer the sand into the pipe. Let it sit and heat the pipe for about 3-5 minutes.
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Slowly bend the pipe into your desired shape. While wearing heat-proof gloves, slowly and gently bend the pipe into the shape you want. [8] X Research source
- For a rounder, more even bend, find an old can or a similar round, heat-proof object and bend the pipe around that.
- If needed, heat the pipe with a heat gun, holding it 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) from the pipe, to help it along.
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Let the pipe cool for 5-10 minutes, then remove the sand. Hold the pipe in shape until the sand and pipe both cool to about room temperature, then pour out the sand. Avoid bending the pipe again once you've removed the sand.
- Feel free to save the sand to use later, reheating it as many times as you want to bend new pipes.
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Pour boiling water into thin PVC pipes to make them pliable. Some thin pipes can be bent by the heat of boiling water. Fill the pipe past the bend with boiling water, then wait 1-2 minutes for the pipe to soften. Pour the water out, then mold the pipe with your hands (making sure to wear heat-proof gloves). [9] X Research source
- Similarly, funnel steam from a boiling kettle into the pipe for 5-10 minutes to make it pliable for a short time.
- The drawback of oiling water is that it’s difficult to keep the pipe’s shape or prevent kinks, but this method can work in a pinch.
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Heat short pipes in the oven. Place the pipe on a metal tray and heat it in the oven at 220–240 °F (104–116 °C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until it’s pliable. Then, wear heat-proof gloves and bend it into shape. Of course, this method only works for smaller pipes that can fit in your oven. [10] X Research source
- Fill the pipe with sand before bending it to help it keep its shape.
- Monitor the pipe closely as you heat it, as different PVC materials may heat more quickly than others.
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Community Q&A
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QuestionHow do I bend 6 meter PVC 80 4 clear pipe without heat?Community AnswerFittings. Any chemical treatment will destroy the PVC's structural integrity.
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Things You Need
Using a Heat Gun
- Heat gun
- Heat-proof gloves
- Sand (optional)
- Bending spring (optional)
Using Hot Sand
- Heat-proof gloves
- Oven tray
- Sand
Tips
- To find the minimum size of your bend, multiply the outside diameter of the pipe by 3. [11] X Research source So if you have a 1 in (2.5 cm) pipe, the smallest radius you can bend it to without it kinking is 3 in (7.6 cm) large.Thanks
- Make a simple mold for bending PVC by tracing the shape you want on a sheet of plywood, then inserting dowels or screws every 0.25 in (0.64 cm) along the tracing. Then, just bend the pipe around the dowels. [12] X Research sourceThanks
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Warnings
- If you're using the pipe for plumbing, be sure to pressure test it before installation, as bending it may have weakened it or caused breakage or leaks. [13] X Expert Source Patrick Johns
Home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.Thanks - In some cases, it's easier and safer to use quarter-turns or half-turn joints to get the angle you need instead of bending the pipe. [14] X Expert Source Patrick Johns
Home Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.Thanks
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about home improvement, check out our in-depth interview with Patrick Johns .
References
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JF1uGMGxQQ&t=61s
- ↑ https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2003/03/01/bend-pvc-pipe-without-kinks
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-JF1uGMGxQQ?si=SkHMkigenGxsvQKH&t=64
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JF1uGMGxQQ&t=124s
- ↑ https://www.practical-sailor.com/systems-propulsion/using-heat-to-bend-pvc-pipe
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JF1uGMGxQQ&t=61s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1U4tpTzFLM&t=75s
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1U4tpTzFLM&t=142s
- ↑ https://www.practical-sailor.com/systems-propulsion/using-heat-to-bend-pvc-pipe
- ↑ https://www.practical-sailor.com/systems-propulsion/using-heat-to-bend-pvc-pipe
- ↑ https://www.finehomebuilding.com/2003/03/01/bend-pvc-pipe-without-kinks
- ↑ https://www.practical-sailor.com/systems-propulsion/using-heat-to-bend-pvc-pipe
- ↑ Patrick Johns. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.
- ↑ Patrick Johns. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To bend PVC pipe, start by filling the pipe with sand. Then, pour the sand into an oven-safe dish, and heat it in the oven at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes. Next, put on some gloves and carefully pour the sand back into the pipe, letting it stand until the PVC pipe feels pliable. Finally, slowly bend the PVC pipe into your desired shape before dumping the sand out of it. To learn how to bend PVC pipe using a hairdryer or a heat gun, scroll down!
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