PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Aluminum pipe is much easier to bend than aluminum tubing, due to the greater wall thickness, since it is less likely to collapse or deform when you bend it. The thicker material will also require more muscle or the use of a power bender.

  1. You can bend 1 1/4" aluminum conduit by hand, but a manual pipe bender will make it easier. It doesn't matter what you use to bend the pipe, the main thing is how you keep it from collapsing. [1]
  2. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Bend the pipe slowly so that you can watch to make sure it bends evenly and doesn't collapse or deform, and watch for cracks that may occur if the pipe is bent too sharply. [3]
  4. The pipe will not collapse, but remember that there is a radius to wall thickness / diameter formula that must be observed. A loose rule of thumb is a maximum 3 1/2" radius to 1" diameter ratio. [4]
  5. Consider building dies to bend your pipe if you have the equipment, you can machine your own bending dies for bending the pipe, or you can rent a manual or hydraulic bender for this purpose. [5]
  6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • When you use an electricians conduit bender, the head of the bender supports the pipe and helps to prevent distortion while bending. [6]
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Check the back set or distance from the beginning of the radius to the centerline of the bend to make sure the finished pipe is the right length.
      • Aluminum pipe may crack if you are using an alloy that doesn't have sufficient give for that purpose. [7]
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Aluminum pipe
      • Sand or other material to fill the pipe
      • Conduit bender (optional)

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about metalworking, check out our in-depth interview with Surekha Krishnan .

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 149,513 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Rifca Husami

        Oct 19, 2019

        "Didn't know the difference between tubing and pipe. Good useful info."
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement