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

UPDATED: MORE INFORMATION ******* Please contact me if you have any questions!
http://cataclyst.info/?page_id=98 -------Contact Page

The motor I used was actually a loaner from a friend, it is about 400 dollars, but is far beyond what the bender requires, it could have turned steel. You need any low speed 20-60rpm (but not necessarily adjustable) decent torque motor . If you're just bending a couple of lengths you might simply turn it by hand. I was bending over 100 12 foot lengths of pipe.

For the tube that runs through the rubber stopper, we used lamp rod, which we cross threaded, and loaded with lots of Teflon tape. You would be much better off taking a quick release air coupler to a machinist and asking him to make you 2 threaded tubes that the coupler can screw onto (1 for backup). You could also tap it yourself if you have the tools.

You're going to drill out your stopper and run the tube through, put a nylon washer, steel washer then lock washer on either side and tighten down the exposed hex nut once you put it in the end of your pipe to squish the rubber stopper into place. The other side is simply a hex nut, with a nylon washer, steel washer, then hex bolt that clamp the stopper into place. You want your steel washer to be as close in diameter to the inside of your pipe as possible, and you want the interior diameter of your nylon washer to be as close to your threaded tube size as possible. (you want to have to turn it on)

http://www.cataclyst.org

This is documentation of a process for PVC bending developed by Henry Witecki and Chris Powell. The process is fairly simple, and all of the equipment can cost under 100 dollars. PVC Heat Benders retail anywhere from 400 to 3000 dollars.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Licens
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Cataclyst
• PVC
• Bending
• Bend
• Greenhouse
• Alfred
• University
• Installation
• Henry
• Witecki
• pvc
• Bender
• Chris
• Powell
• Air
• Pressure
• Do It Yourself
• DIY Network
• DIY Culture
• Howto

[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.

[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!!

[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.

[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.

[psychonavigator]

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

[dirtTdude]

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

[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.

[psychonavigator]

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

[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.

[tattoome5150]

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

[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.

[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