delbert

How can I bend PVC pipe faster ?

F_Eddie

You can bend PVC pipe with a bender. If you bend it to 90 degrees you will get a 45. It seems to work out pretty close to half of the degrees you bend it at. You will have to make 2 bends to get a 90 but it is much faster than heating the pipe! I haven't tried it on any pipe larger than 1 inch but I would guess that as the pipe gets bigger, the maximum degrees that you would be able to use this method would decrease.

zander

This does not have anything to do with faster, but iv'e heard of putting hot sand in the pipe as a method

speedy petey

I know this post is old but maybe someone could use the info.

Use a heat gun. A regular conduit bender will not work, heat is the only thing. There are blankets, boxes and guns.
Blankets are expensive and size specific, and IMO they are slow. Boxes are expensive, but the absolute fastest way to bend PVC. I have one and LOVE it. A heat gun is very inexpensive, does a good job heating even 2" PVC, and can be used for many other projects & jobs as well.

K2eoj

Hey thanks Speedy. I didn't even know you could bend PVC. I already have a heat gun. K2.

xkvator

torpedo heater...hold 12 - 18" away...practice on a scrap piece first

milehigh_woodcrafter

buy the unions or elbows or whatever you need and some pvc cement. Depending on the overall size, I've actually heated it in the oven and formed it. (don't tell my ol' lady)

AdamAleksander

I just finished a big job where i heat bent 2" pvc beautifully on my Gas Range. To do this, First you make a jig. This means draw the shape you want onto of ply wood then cut it out. 2 pieces works better for the height. Attach them to a table.
Next heat the PVC over 2 burners on your stove until the desired length gets putty soft over the full circumference and over the full bend. Note: heat 4" on either side of the desired start and end of the curve. This may take 5 minutes of heating. Also don't be shy about burning the pipe a little. And be careful of the fumes.
When the curve is putty soft, run and put it into the jig. Bend slowly and hold in place or clamp before and after the curve, but not on the hot part.
If the curve is near the end of the pipe, you will want to put a fitting or cap onto the end so it keeps a good shape.
With this method you can make a beautiful bend quickly and have it still super strong. I stood my 2" pipe up and attached 35 lbs. at the end of mine and yanked on it. It didnt move at all.
This is the best way to heat bend up to 2" thick PVC quickely that i have found. Because heat guns are too slow and Blow Torches are too severe.

speedy petey

You can't be serious (about the burning comment)?



And making a "jig" out of plywood and carrying a 10' stick of 2" PVC into your house is quick and efficient???


But burning it over a gas range is not?



Sorry, I'm not trying to be harsh, but this post is pretty funny.

triple D

First of all I would never use open flame to heat pvc, especially indoors. This is not a good thing to burn, and it is a touchy practice, more like an art. If you over heat you make a weak, brittle area. There are no-heat pvc benders. A rep came to our supply house and did a demo with one. It looked kind of like a spring, and you just slide over the pipe and bend. I've only seen one for 1/2, 3/4 and 1". Anyway I'm with the others on the heat gun. It's all I've used for years and all I will. So I'm glad your all here, cause I'm not all there..........

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