Easy way to Adjust an HVAC Metal Elbow for Different Angles

Aligning the seams of the elbow to create different angles.
Tool safety and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has not been discussed in great detail in this video. It is up to the person using the tool to know and understand how to properly use the tools. Push sticks and other tool safety aids are always advised whether they were demonstrated in this video or not.

[@mazheralam]

I almost spent 20 minutes rotating here and there for 90 degree and some times i got stuck. but your video did the trick and I can able to do it now in a minute. Excellent video and thanks for the tip.

[@jefffrantz1893]

I’m glad the video helped you! I put together videos as a hobby. I appreciate and welcome any feedback.

[@LoveLifeLiveLife7]

Thank you for making this lesson easy to understand!!!

[@jefffrantz1893]

I’m glad I could help!

[@stevemorton3078]

I measured the circumference of each of the four sections so I could mark each one half way around and get each 180-degree rotation exactly right. But when I put the finished elbow against a square, it's a few degrees off from 90 degrees. Turning each section a little more or less made it worse. How accurate should the 90-degree elbow be ? You did not put your elbow against a square to confirm it's really 90 degrees, instead of something close.

[@jefffrantz1893]

The elbow is able to adjust to the full 90 degrees when it is inserted into another section of pipe in the “sloop” of the connection. Typically you would want to stay away from using full 90 degree turns because it will choke down the air flow. Two 45 degree turns using two elbows is better than a 90, but there is not usually space to make that happen.

[@wakawaka1976]

You got any tips for a dryer duct that goes into the floor but needs to make a 45 degree turn to a 90 degree turn within a few inches? The dryer hose exits to the floor but the wall exhaust hole under the house is at a 45 degree angle directly below the floor… very limited space. There is a mesh grate that would be almost perfect for the duct work to go through but copper pipes are coming through it… Will the heat from the dryer mess with the copper pipes. Previously they snaked the flimsy dryer hose through… but I don’t know how they fit it through the hole in the floor without ripping the hose… not sure what was done before that as I had no clue it was disconnected until the termite guy told me.

[@jefffrantz1893]

Modern dryer duct is made from aluminum or plastic to resist rusting with the warm, damp air that is blown through it. I would avoid routing the dryer exhaust past anything that would potentially cause a dryer lint buildup. That being said, I have a couple ideas; 1. Reroute the duct directly through the exterior wall behind the dryer. 2. Reroute the duct into the floor and have it make a loop so that it can go through the floor rim board straight. The International Residential Code (IRC) is available to view for free at iccsafe.org. Chapter 15 discusses how long a dryer vent can be and how much each turn/bend subtracts from the total length allowed in Table M1502.4.5.1 I hope this helps!!

[@forramana]

Thank you very much for sharing the technique. I was not sure how to do it and your video helped a lot.

[@jefffrantz1893]

You are welcome. Thanks for watching!!

[@gusblanco4813]

Can a separated elbow (at the gore) be snapped back into place or should it just be replaced?

[@jefffrantz1893]

An elbow that comes apart where it twists while you are adjusting it can be snapped back together. If there is any doubt that it could come apart again, I would replace it.

[@bobsmith591]

I have a 7 in duct in the ceiling that does not line up vertically with the outlet from the range hood below in a kitchen cabinet above the stove/hood. The hood outlet is rectangular so I have an adapter that makes it circular but it takes up valuable vertical space! of which I have a limited amount to make this odd bend. It needs to jog over about 6 inches in about 20 vertical inches to meet the top and bottom parts. I have 2 articulating elbows and am trying to figure out how to make it fit. The angles required are not convenient, ie not 45 or 90. I'd love to know how a professional would deal with this kind of situation. Thanks.

[@jefffrantz1893]

Not being able to see the situation with the limitations and different options, I can’t know the best solution. I can tell you how I would tackle solving it. I would set up the exact situation on a floor or workbench to find the best solution. With the limited space you may find a way to adjust the round pipe to fit. Another possibility is to try two 45 degree angled rectangular ducts before transitioning to the round pipe. Hope this helps!

[@robertvaughn1147]

Hi I'd like to buy 10 inch elbow. Could you please tell me where can I find? But before I need to know the dimensions. I mean how high is 90° from bottom to top. Could you help me with that?

[@jefffrantz1893]

I just googled it. It is about 13” high and should be available at most hardware stores or Amazon.

[@robertvaughn1147]

Thank you

[@longdong3889]

Cool! Thanks for posting I learned something today 👍

[@jefffrantz1893]

Glad I could help!

[@cohoman83]

Rough when the gores are crusty and full of debris

[@jefffrantz1893]

True dat! Sounds like it is time for some new metal Thanks for watching!

[@olddavid814]

It's even easier if you put a few drops of oil, olive. soy, peanut, coconut, avocado, safflower, canola, sunflower, vegetable, corn, 3in1, 10w30, or even WD40 on the seams. Whatever you do, don't, I repeat DON"T use gloves while you are doing this.

[@jefffrantz1893]

Good suggestions, but make sure whatever lubricant you add is not going to create problems or odors with the HVAC system. In addition, most of the lubricants that you listed may prevent mastic sealants or HVAC tapes from sticking to the metal and may keep the pipes from sealing well long term.