DIY - Bending PVC Pipe with Air Pressure - HenryWitecki.com (Cataclyst) and Chris Powell

[psychonavigator]

I am curious to know if you've refined this design. I remember seeing this video a couple of years back and somehow I've wandered here again from woodturning videos.

[tattoome5150]

Is this for running low voltage wires? Or is it for water?

[44coonhunter]

electricians have been doing this for years. greenlee electrical tool company makes 2 versions of this. a small one for small pipe up tp 2 inches and a large 1 for up to 4 inch pipe. when i use them i just duct tape the ends closed and the presure builds up enough on its own to keep the pipe from kinking. a bucket of water and a wet rag helps cool it down fast once you have the angle you want.

[dingleonurroof]

I appreciate the simplicity of the setup but I just want you to know the fumes coming off the PVC is enough to kill you if inhaled or at least give you cancer

[galegregory97comcast]

THATS SO COOL . AND YOU DID"N PAY A LOT LOL

[josephdupont]

they have used sand and maybe water. too much compressed air and the tubing cold blow up but nice idea. Maybe ciruclating hot water filled pipe/

[9493760]

THANKS FOR THE INFO GOOD SYSTEM, USEFUL .

GIANFRANCO FRONZI. DEC./ 10/11

[sm6jesse]

super cool. agree with Boyntonstu.

[Chinaextrusionexpert]

profile ,pipe,sheet extrusion line

snake-wu@live.com

[Boyntonstu]

Beautiful design, simple, effective, accurate, and cheap.

[henrywitecki]

If you are making snow shoes, furniture, or using short lengths in general, as I have stated before, I completely agree that the air process is excessive, and you should absolutely use sand. If you need to bend full lengths of pvc, this is a very practical, easy, and inexpensive way.

[pvcbendit]

@henrywitecki i've watched this video about a million times because i work for a company that makes a tool for bending pvc, and we just keep our eyes on what people are doing to see if we can help them or not. this method is pretty freaking cool. it's like you said - a little excessive, but it's cool.

i saw the video of what you guys put together on some blog, and that was cool. was that a rooftop rave? you ought to check out the thing we're making if you keep doing structures like this.

[DawnWitecki]

Hi. I'd just like to say this amazing young man is my son. That's all. I'm used to his brilliance. Nice work, Son.

[123kkambiz]

@DawnWitecki that your amazing son, overpresuruzed the pipe and at the bending position one can see the bulging of the pipe, , another thing just apply wet cloth or water for quick fixing of pvc pipe. overall thanks for uploading.

[dirtTdude]

@DawnWitecki wow... what an awesome dad, i'm close to 50 years old and have never seen or heard my dad act proud of me. you probably even talk to him and stuff.

[psychonavigator]

@dirtTdude I think it's his mom, yo. Look at the username! :D

[dirtTdude]

@psychonavigator ohh...  yes, i am quite the dork.

[psychonavigator]

@dirtTdude  Internet ^5's to you, dude.

[NorwegianGardener]

that takes forever....why arent u just using alupex? takes only 1 minute to bend......

[henrywitecki]

@NorwegianGardener This is for building structures, not moving liquid or gas. AL-PEX or alupex or pex, or any flexible product for that matter is not structural. This is not for plumbers and electricians.

[anelphabet]

gangstas

[picbuck]

I have to admit that's a lot better than using a torch. You didn't set fire to the pipe at all.

[ozolagniac]

curious whether you tried this with a little less (or no) added air pressure, since of course the heat applied to the plugged pipe already creates pressure until cool - which is roughly already what we want for supporting a bend.

[henrywitecki]

@ozolagniac Air doesnt expand that much, you need 1/2 bar of pressure.

[davetileguy]

fill it with sand,plug the ends and heat slowly.

[henrywitecki]

@davetileguy These are ten foot lengths of 1 3/4" conduit. I filled one with sand and it weighed over 60 pounds... This invention is not for making furniture or bends in short lengths of pipe, it's for making large structures.

[davetileguy]

@henrywitecki Just an Idea , file it away for the future, someone told about this method once that it would keep the bends consistent .

[kaloalex]

@henrywitecki Yeah... you're expected to take the sand out after shaping.

[henrywitecki]

@kaloalex you are completely missing the point. Its a huge messy waste of time, money, and its heavy to WORK WITH. I did not keep the sand in the pipe, obviously. It is clear to everyone that this is faster and better than sand, are you trying to convince them otherwise? Why are you talking about sand when there are hundreds of videos of people bending PVC with sand? Go watch those videos and tell them that they were right not to use air, but stop talking about sand here.

[kaloalex]

@henrywitecki No, I don't think I will. My point is pvc can be bent permanently, with minimal investment, nearly zero skills and no finicky lathe assembly.

If you can't compare methods in the real world, why are you promoting your approach in public?

[henrywitecki]

@kaloalex it is not easy to work with 10 foot lengths of pipe full of sand. You have to pack the sand into the pipe for it to work. Have you done it? I have, and it didn't work well. That is why we invented this process.

[anelphabet]

@davetileguy the bends with sand are real ly shitty

[anelphabet]

@anelphabet all about hot water, and those wing nut rubber corks

[anelphabet]

Respond to this video... ps. is that the pvc pipe used for electrical conduits? how is the structural integrity of that shtuff, more wobbly than pvc i saw

[CSATexan]

@BreaksFast

You can't always get the right angle.

[MrJonnyboyification]

i used to work as a plastic pipe fabricator, the ones i worked on were made of ABS, 12 inch diameter and 3 metres long , turned under gas heaters for around 2 hours and then rolled onto a wooden mould to 90 degrees

[henrywitecki]

@MrJonnyboyification the rolling sounds amazing, i bet that actually strengthens the pipe as it is being shaped. You need to submit your old job for How It's Made!!

[nsaminder]

Thanks for the demo.

the bends look a little bulbous - will they pass a construction inspection ?

[henrywitecki]

@nsaminder The bends are incredibly strong, but I doubt my word would subdue an over zealous inspector. I would recommend taking a look at the comment below from @katiebuglj who has developed a method to prevent the pipe from stretching.

[anelphabet]

Tin Foil

[anelphabet]

@anelphabet buy a large pvc, line with tin foil, get fanning attachments on some ace hardware heat guns, plugs those into the openn towards inside of ThE figure clam pvc, rotate by hand?

**its only direct heat, don't think it will melt the pvc ringed around the smaller

[henrywitecki]

@anelphabet If you're just doing one bend it wont melt the outer PVC, but if you are doing several bends, it will definitely melt. Our wood caught on fire after prolonged use. Aluminum foil is a good substitute for the aluminum flashing if you're on a budget I guess.

[anelphabet]

@anelphabet this idea did not work 

[anelphabet]

@anelphabet -for my project

[henrywitecki]

@anelphabet Wow that is shocking... I got them at my local ace hardware, they had about a dozen different sizes... If you are not having any luck in hardware stores, go to a homebrew (beer making) supply store, as they sell the stoppers for carboys. The final and guaranteed solution would be the wonderful people at U.S. Plastic Corporation (see their website).

[henrywitecki]

Creative Commons is free, this is an open source invention, please look into this license.

[specialks1953]

THANKS for the great idea. I have bent PVC many times but never thought of the air pressure trick. I have even done some 4" but it took time and caution. I like this idea.

[henrywitecki]

@katiebuglj This is brilliant!!! For any of you who need to develop your jig to limit your outside diameter, use a cuff! Thanks a lot katiebuglj

[henrywitecki]

@katiebuglj you know, the more i think about it, this would also help to regulate the heat distribution, thanks a lot... And to reiterate... anyone who has any ideas on how to improve this device, please either contribute it here in the comments, or make a video!

[anelphabet]

@henrywitecki what is a cuff,

[anelphabet]

@anelphabet a hose clamp with sliced pieces of pvc?

[henrywitecki]

@anelphabet I think the hose clamp would melt if it is what I am thinking of, you need to fabricate something out of rings of metal or something... I cant quite imagine the mechanics, but you would need something that will lock onto the pipe while you are heating it, then bend with the pipe as you have it on the jig. Honestly it seems a lot more practical to use fittings if you are going to try to pass some sort of inspection. & If u are running conduit, it doesnt matter if the edges are bulged.

[salvasmr]

So the air pressure and/or sand serves to help pipe maintain shape while bending, correct ? What if Im not using either and want to bend a 1" 90 degrees ?

[katiebuglj]

*for 3" Get 60 rings that are made from 1/4" rod and drill 2 3/32" holes through the side 15 degrees apart in each ring. Thread 2 fine thread stainless cables through each hole with an 1/4" tube between each with a crimp at each end. Once it is very soft, slide the rings over the pipe. Use 30psi and bend the pipe so the the cables are on the outside of the bend. This will give you a bend with a small 1.5D radius that will not lose it's rating since the outer wall isn't stretched thin.

[anelphabet]

@katiebuglj i don't understand

[anelphabet]

@anelphabet i upload my idea image if you upload yours!

[MrLeonard55]

What kind of motor is it. Can you give us a liat of everything?

[anelphabet]

@MrLeonard55 just use a old fan motor, glo the pvc to the thing central

[MrLeonard55]

Great idea.

[HonuStyleImports]

Very cool

[jvangurp]

The beauty of this is you can reproduce the same bend each time, perfectly. Nice job! Prep is everything.

[whatwhaaaaat]

this henry witicki fellow is truly genius!! if only he was back in NY!!!!

[henrywitecki]

@TheBlockrockinbeat These are ten foot lengths of 1 3/4" conduit. I filled one with sand and it weighed over 60 pounds... This invention is not for making furniture or bends in short lengths of pipe, it's for making large structures.

[TheBlockrockinbeat]

i put sand inside the pipe then heat it with heat gun then bend it manually.

[ee222004]

Are you bending non metallic conduit or plumbing PVC...I just tried this process which was great but couldn't get the pipe squishy, and it still deformed...any suggestions? How long did you bend it for?

[henrywitecki]

@ee222004 I have used this same bender for plumbing PVC, and had no issues. You need to make sure you are getting a high concentration of EVEN heat to a large area of the pipe. Use the double plus a half rule... If you are bending 3 inch pipe, you want to heat up about 7 inches of the tube, and adjust your heat guns and your clam shell. If it is deformed, you're not pushing to the outside of your bending jig... you can not use this bender without a jig, it will collapse if your bending mid-air.

[earthstewardude]

Cool! great idea and very well explained.

Thanks!

[Dragonaye13]

Very COOL. I do a lot of stuff myself. And this is just awesome.

[shoopdeedoop]

brilliant! 

[heroesseen]

You are a star! You should patenet it .

Could it be in a pocket version, using electrically heated wire around the pipe like a heat sleeve or smthn? Lightweight and baterry operated! :)

Thanks for Ingenuity.

Russian Plumber.

[boxa888]

nice you just opened up possibilities of garage, green house and shelter applications,, thanks alot for helping everyone out! much respect!

[lastquest]

Fantastic Idea! Love how you manufactured the Equipment! Thanks!

[reticulan5]

Thank you very kindly for uploading this.I want to make a Camera Stabilizer like that made by Manfroto and Halo Rig called Figrig's.They are also made by bending PVC.

[exnol]

That was a very useful video. 5 stars.

[sumasmountain]

Nice job. Never thought of the air pressure. Thanks for posting.

[steveosupreamo]

sweet i when i bend pipe that big it always gets kinked when i make 90 s i never thought of using air pressure nice vid

[miscpro]

Cool jig!

[FranklinParkIL]

Beautiful! Excellent technique and video.

I'll feature it on my page for awhile.

Best Always - Ben

[j4p18w80]

sweet!......what are you using it for?

[t816]

is it easy to keep the radius of the bend exactly the same each time?

[henrywitecki]

that is all contingent on your bending jig, mine did not have to be too perfect, however you could make a locking piece to make every interior the same radius

[t816]

A great technique and good on you for sharing it.

[DJxGeist]

air pressure why didnt i think of that

[henrywitecki]

i was trying to bend ten foot lengths of 1 3/4 inch pipe, with sand, they weighed around 60 pounds. My bends were too tight to not use sand, so we had to come up with something. With some collaboration, Chris Powell, Evan Jespersen, and Myself, developed the process you see here.

[1pato29]

very nice