How to bend a pipe at home? Overview of the most effective methods (80 photos)

Every second man on earth has thought at least once in his life how to bend a pipe on his own. The process can be carried out using a special device – a pipe bend. If there is none, then there are a number of ways to bend the pipe at home without assistance. You will need personal protective equipment, lighting, a burner (construction hair dryer), sand, a vise.

Summary of the article:

Before starting the process, it is necessary to determine the material from which the long hollow object is made. For each type of pipe there is a certain way of bending.

Plastic pipes

Currently, the market is flooded with plastic goods, pipes are no exception. But it is worth paying attention, the wear resistance of such metal pipes is much less.

They are unlikely to be suitable for the operation of hot liquids, and they will not last long in an open space under the influence of sunlight. However, they are actively used for sewerage and cold water supply.

Metal-plastic pipes

Such pipes cope much more effectively with temperature changes, are excellent for hot water supply, heating and are not exposed to frost. The composition of the pipes includes two materials, they combine to provide the products with strength and durability.

The manufacturing method is a layer of plastic and thin sheets of metal. Despite the ability to withstand high temperatures, pipes are fragile and damaged under strong physical influence.

It should be noted that the composition of plastic pipes is divided into two main types: polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride.

The first ones in the composition have various types of polyethylene, withstand pressure and high temperatures.

The second ones are made of polyvinyl chloride, thanks to this they are durable and resistant to temperature changes, but they are not used for water, since chloride has the property of being washed out of pipes and getting into the substance, therefore, into the human body.

Metal pipes

These pipes are widely used in laying pipelines, oil pipelines and gas pipelines. To date, there is no stronger and more durable material for volumetric pipeline networks.

Aluminum pipes

Despite the fact that this material is very flexible and easily deformable, it can only be used in industries or for the manufacture of structures.

Aluminum is capable of releasing harmful substances into the environment, so it is not categorically suitable for pipelines.

Pipe bending methods

First you need to decide how the process will take place, and what you need to have at hand.

If you have a Volnov machine or a pipe bending machine, then the bending process will not be particularly difficult. With its help, you can bend in the form of a brace, a tap, a roll and a duck. Pipes of different diameters from 15 to 25 mm are exposed.

The process is as follows:

We place the pipe in the clamp of the machine with the long end
The place where the bend will occur should be lubricated with machine or other oil
With effort, bend the short end of the pipe.

On the Internet, you can see the process in more detail in the photo, and understand how to bend the pipe with this machine.

If there is no such device at hand, you will have to make a little effort and approach the process seriously.

Visually, it seems that when bending a metal pipe, everything happens well and the pipe does not deform. But in fact, folds form in the inner side of the fold, thereby reducing the radius of the pipe, and on the outer side the material is strongly stretched, due to which there is a possibility of microcracks.

The faster the bend occurs, the more likely it is to damage the pipe and make it unusable.

Before starting to bend the pipe, it is necessary to warm it up to the optimum temperature for bending. Experienced masters advise to check the temperature with a paper sheet. If, when the paper comes into contact with the pipe, it begins to smolder, then you can start the process.

To avoid unwanted sharp bends, you need to fill the pipe with sand and plug it on both sides. Clamp it in a vice and start the process.

It will take effort and time, but you will not have to resort to the help of specialists, purchase special equipment and you will know how to bend the pipe at home.

With plastic pipes, things are a little different. It is easier to bend them, but the probability of microcracks is much higher. Unlike metal, it is worth monitoring the heating temperature, otherwise the pipe will simply burn.

Another disadvantage is that the plastic can form not visible to the eye holes or even their beginnings, which in the future will have an effect at the most opportune moment.

Pipes made of metal-plastic can not be warmed up, they already bend perfectly due to the presence of an aluminum rod inside, you just need to take care of the stabilizer.

Thin plastic pipes often break when trying to bend, so you need to warm up the place of the planned bend with a construction hair dryer to a temperature of about 180-200 degrees and carefully bend. This will happen easily and quickly, it is enough just to fix the finished bend and wait for the pipe to cool down.

The bending of profile pipes is a little more complicated and it should be approached more seriously. If the wall thickness of the pipe is less than 2 mm, it is not even worth trying to bend the pipe, it will be easier to use welding during construction.

The bending of the pipe is carried out with the heating of the pipes and in a cold state. Undoubtedly, a heated pipe will be easier to bend. You can do without heating if the profile height is not more than 10 mm, in cases with a higher height it is worth using a burner.

It is necessary to fill the profile with calcined sand, plugging the holes on both sides with wooden plugs, 7-10 mm long. Mark the bend place with chalk, place the pipe in a vise and start heating. After reaching the desired temperature, gently begin the bending process.

It is worth remembering about protective equipment: gloves and a mask. After comparing the resulting bend with the template, making sure that everything matches, wait until the pipe cools down, remove the plugs and pour out the sand.