How to Bend PVC Pipe With No Tools

[@robertmiller8210]

Simply brilliant! Thank you so much for posting this!!!! 10 thumbs up!

[@JafferJavaid]

I didn't know we could ACTUALLY bend pvc pipes. You are are genius! Gifted! Thank you so so much!

[@benwillard6751]

The sand trick was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@DonRead-x5z]

Thanks. Like the sand as it keeps it from kinking if you keep the sand inside the pipe. I built a big fire in the fire pit or used a charcoal grill. Lots of heat but not so hot so as to scorch the PVC. I could turn the pipe in a makeshift spit and move it lengthwise to heat a really long length to make a 4-foot long sweep elbow. Worked great. If you can find a long light-duty spring the diameter of the pipe (I have a spring manufacturer in town that keeps a "boneyard" of previous runs for noodlers such as me) you could slip it over the pipe just before bending it - like bending soft copper tubing with a spring bender. Your parking space puzzle got me for a couple of minutes and then I figured it out. Good one! (Careful to not post the answer so I don't ruin it for others.)

[@theloneviking9145]

Thanks for the advice! I was trying to figure out how to make a couple of bends and you really helped a lot. What I used was my little McCulloch steam cleaner. Put that steam nozzle in that PVC for a minute or so and BOOM I had a nice semi rigid noodle to go whichever way I wanted.

[@mrbrown6421]

4.17.2022 - 4:00PM - In the shop. Very good. I was working with 7 foot thin wall 3/4 inch PVC. Only needed 20 degree bends every 10 inches (7 bends). I used a heat gun (slow) then preferred propane torch (fast), but that torch will burn PVC quickly. Didn't matter for my purpose. THEN I kept a wet rag near by and when done bending, I used rag to PRESS the angle slightly flat for strength, and also cooling it. I attached these 160 degree PVC arcs to 8 ft cane poles to make support arches for bird netting for a chicken coop. BRILLIANT. PVC is smooth, so netting does NOT snag. The wife was mildly impressed since she witnesses my brilliance daily, but regardless, she is MORE brilliant than I am. New things everyday. Mr. Brown North Central Florida

[@morningcoffee1111]

I can’t tell you how helpful it is to see all the methods AND the other things tried. Thank you so much.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

You're welcome! Glad to hear the video was helpful!

[@AnthonyChew]

The wife will not be pleased with a. Sand in her pan, and b. Your pipe going limp after a few minutes. Your video is a life saver!

[@TxRealtorSA]

BEST comment 🤣🤣🤣

[@MiklaDfar]

Put the sand in the pipe cold, with one end capped. Fill 6-12 inches past bend point. Localize heat from a heat gun applied 3-6" above and below bend center. Bend pipe. Spray with cold water from a spray bottle... go to next bend... DONE. Makes it much easier to hand bend and shape on the job without having to try and stabilize multiple bends while cooling... IMHO! But excellent vid on the various ways to heat the pipe! Thanks!

[@robinbaker4219]

Thanks! I've been diddling around with hot water which cools too quickly and doesn't get the pipe hot enough to mold into desired shape, it springs back. I knew I'd saved that play sand 10 years for something....

[@markokrasa3584]

Buddy this was very useful. I’ve got projects on the go at moms where I need to bury pipe over some hilly terrain for dredging silt out of her pond for free by way of gravity, and also for a water hammer pump for the garden that’s all the way up the driveway at the street. She needs to drag 4 hose lengths up there every day it doesn’t rain. Soon she won’t have to water that by hand ever again!

[@DollhouseTutorials]

The sand is the best one so far. Very helpful video,thank you

[@SE45CX]

I like your style of presenting: clear instructions, good pace and also sharing the approaches that don't work as well and why.

[@smaring777]

I've been sitting around the last few days wondering how I'm going to make a bunch of 1" EMT connections between my new panel and a pull box about 18" away. The local big box stores don't have a 1" flex conduit and bending 1" EMT to those tolerances takes mad skills. I wasn't even thinking of using PVC conduit because I wasn't knowing it could be bent. You just saved me hours of aggravation! I'm going with the sand technique. Many thanks.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

You're welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment and good luck with the project!!

[@kuggacouragegx6093]

Same here we need more people like that instead making it harder to understand.

[@johnjacobjingle8302]

Most industrial heater for pcv.. just look like a tanning bed with 2 resistance heaters in them, and rollers so you can heat the pvc evenly.. the cheaper ones cost about 600$.. however, not sure why you cant throw it in the oven on broil for a few min..

[@siegfriedparihao6657]

Yu can try using the heat of a candle light/flame..

[@angelcordero7258]

,

[@nigelhutt9921]

Great video I'm going to try a variation on what you showed and fill the pipe with water then use a heat gun. Hopefully the water will stop it kinking. If not I'll try cool sand and a heat gun. Many thanks for the video

[@brudo5056]

About the sandmethod: For a small project I first pored the sand in the pipe to have the right volume and then I pored the sand out of the pipe in some cleaned cans that I then heated. The cans were manipulated with a grab plier. The advantage of using these cans was a more secure poring into the tube… Anyway your sandpan also works 😀

[@zacharyvanderklippe5855]

Great Video. Gave the steam trick a try, worked great, but I was working with a piece of PVC with an expanded end for coupling to other pipes. This expanded section shrunk significantly during the steaming process and I couldn't use it anymore.

[@benjamincurtis6711]

yeah, you can control it a lot better with the sand. you can add room temp sand into it first to get coverage on the section that you dont want malleable, then dump the hot sand in on top so the ends are not affected.

[@bilbobagginstwo]

Useful for metal tube bending too, helps avoid buckling if packed with sand and duct taped on ends, built a roll cage once this way

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Sounds like a cool project and good to know that it works well on metal too! :) Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!

[@davemall1]

Did you heat the sand first, or heat the tube with sand in it with a torch?

[@jimatwater7049]

Don’t know if I’d live through it using the kitchen. Wife is badder than me. As for your demonstration I learned a great deal. Thanks

[@zontherocks]

Loved the sand method, to me it looked like total crazy to put sand on the skillet, now I wanna have some sand with carrots and rice, lol. Thank you sir.

[@hibuddywuzsup571]

I tried the sand method but the wife got upset. I instead used the exhaust pipe and capped the exhaust pipe as she revved the car up. Worked like a charm and it's a whole lot quieter around here.

[@wyzurd]

Haha

[@davidreynolds4684]

If you get in a pinch and you need a bend where looks arent an issue. Wet the pipe with pvc primer and or glue. Light the primer and carefully make your bend. This will work on thick schedule 40 and 80 even big diameter.

[@thiodorchalkias8906]

It looks nice methods! thanks for sharing!!!! I was try with a 60mm PVC pipe at 10 atm with heat air gun and filling with sand but the results was disappointed .....

[@kennypayton5103]

Use a propane torch. You need to keep moving it back and forth so you don't burn it. Done this a lot. Works great.

[@GloryRenault]

thank you! i’m thinking of making a homemade rollercoaster but! prices are really high rn!

[@daleenesterhuizen6820]

Lovely ideas. Thanks form South Africa

[@spelunkerd]

Ha ha, I was searching this sand method for bending electrical conduit and I found your demonstration. I'll give the sand a try.

[@SlowTT]

A heat gun seems to work quite well for small bends

[@kerrygibbs8198]

Excellent information!!! I also appreciate learning what didn’t work!! That was helpful!

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Glad to hear the video was helpful, thank you!

[@Volusiaev]

What a great idea, especially the sand technique! Thanks for all the info you share!

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!

[@Dabbacommentary1M]

I am from tamilnadu,India I am also watching ur video for super idea

[@atms001]

thanks for such brilliant ideas.. Just a thought....How about using a Hot Air Gun ? attaching the adaptor that can slot into the pvc. perhaps wrap the adaptor with a small strip of rag or it will just melt the pvc. in seconds.

[@waynewatson-cedarbranchhiv8491]

A big torch, like a weed burner torch works the best . Just have to move fast so not to scorch. An handy to have a sprayer with water to cool off quickly once you aquire the shape / bend you want. Have bent hundreds of thousands of pipe like that. 1/2" - 5" an grey electrical pipe bends better than white water pipe .

[@goodlookinouthomie1757]

With the steam method I had a thought, you could use a wallpaper stripper to heat up the pipe and that way you can have the pipe on your bending rack while it's still full of steam.

[@fulljoy4me]

I needed to take some of the bend out of a 90deg ELEC sched 40 (gray) elbow. I put on a pair of cheap flannel gloves and held it over sweetie's kitchen electric stove. rotating it several times without touching the stove top. It took about 90 seconds and didn't return to its original shape. I'm 80 yrs old, lazy and impatient. lol. Kentucky USA

[@JayJay-wf4dr]

Awesome idea, going to use these methods to slightly bend a PVC pipe for cosplay weapon build. Thanks!

[@aeoteroa818]

I'm building a pvc frame for a space simulator cockpit and this will allow me to do bends and not spend as much on joints, as well as allow cooler shapes.

[@clairestaffieri4398]

BRILLIANT !!!!! You are so smart !! Thanks.

[@davemall1]

I have heated a 2" PVC pipe with a propane torch to get a slight bend. You need to keep moving the flame so it doesn't turn brown or black, but it does work good.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Thank you for letting us know that it's possible! :)

[@WordofAdviceTV]

@White Rick I prefer an evenly heated noodle as well! :) Thank you for commenting!

[@terrancedesormeauxjr2559]

@@WordofAdviceTV 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@nicanorbadal689]

I wonder if the sand technique will work to slightly bend big pvc pipe like 5"...to be used as canoe outriggers...or bigger pipe...10" for DIY catamaran like kayak

[@Quentyn73]

For potable water connections you can use salt instead of sand

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Never tried using salt, thank you for the suggestion!

[@EXECUTIVE_LUCKY]

It’s 87 if you guys were wondering.. Just look at the parking spaces upside down and the numbers will be in order lol.

[@kenliu808]

Thanks! I was wondering what it was. Great perspective observation.

[@icestreet]

its too funny

[@thomasdavis4253]

A hair dryer works pretty well, just make sure you don't concentrate the heat in one area too long or it will discolor and even burn

[@rogerpullin8997]

I have always just used a heat gun, I guess you would consider that a tool, but it has always worked for me

[@TURNKEYiNK]

Great tips! Thanks 🙏

[@samTollefson]

Note: Heating sand from the yard or road will release a horrendous stink !!! Try to do it outside. If you can't get enough bend on the first try, you can pour out the sand and do it again until you have the amount of bend you want.

[@gopikrishnan890]

Thanks for this idea. I used to make wrinkles and spoil pipe and it's hydraulics 😅

[@tykeorama9898]

What does this do to the pvc? Does it damage its structural properties? Would you use that pipe for pressurized water line?

[@mohfiroz7700]

Thanks. Good idea. In case of kettle steam, make a small hole on the end cap. So you get waste steam flow out, replacing some new super heat.

[@davidnollmusic363]

Thanks for your very helpful video! Wishing you all the best!

[@meaningfulmakings]

Just amazing!!! So pleased I found your video.

[@yogi799]

You're brilliant.

[@woifmachatch2101]

Im about to try the sand method on a short one inch pvc pipe, I wonder if itwill work 😂😃👍

[@Colin_Irwin]

I was going to ask why not use water instead of sand... but then read the description and it sounds like you already tried that with worse results. I would've thought water would give a more even temperature and better surface area contact with the pipe. Just googled it to confirm - water has a higher specific heat than sand, which means water should both warm up and cool down more slowly than sand. This means that the water would release heat to the pipe more slowly than sand. Also a higher chance of leakage and being scalded with water than sand... so seems safer and better to use sand haha

[@vegamann6252]

I like the sand method seems to work great although the most expensive way to do it .

[@WordofAdviceTV]

I agree, the sand method is great! Steam has the same effect but it cools off too fast. With hot sand inside the pipe, there is a lot of time to form it however you want.

[@Volusiaev]

Play sand is cheap IMHO.

[@lawrencehenson8409]

Cap off one end of the pipe, fill the pipe with sand, cap off the other end then heat the pipe with a hot air gun at the area you want the bend & shape it accordingly, the sand prevents the pipe from "kinking" or flattening at the site of the bend. Ensure that all the sand is removed before using the pipe!

[@alanwhitsitt5196]

Best part about using sand is that you won't get kinks in you bend. The sand help the pipe holds it's shaped.

[@RafaAelM]

Just tried the vapor method with a 2" pipe and it worked but it cooled down really quickly

[@benjibanks7894]

Very cool video. Thanks. I need to add a 3' section with a gradual curve in it for an extension to my electronic drum set. I was thinking of using a heat gun but after watching the video I want to try the sand method.

[@joefrancise2380]

First step is very easy thank u

[@kkovler1]

Had no idea you could do that to make a bend in pvc pipe! Once again a good video.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Thank you! Yeah, it's pretty cool to see how flexible those pipes get!

[@mastermolar]

so dang helpful! Thanks a million for doing this channel!

[@Living_Life242]

Really cool ideas! I’ve been doing a bit of tinkering here and there over the last few months. Mostly just getting a feel for crafting. Made a crude long bow from pvc and braided fishing line, though it might have been too long and the thread too thin. I’m thinking of trying to make a shorter recurve bow and experiment with some different cordage and designs. This certainly will help with making that! On a separate note I tried making a plaster and sand forge, but I think I put the metal tube for the bellows/hairdryer too high so now while the coals burn well at first, they will suddenly go out. I’m thinking that the airflow only reaches the top of the coals so the flames don’t reach the inner sections and it is extinguished once the top surface is used up. It’s all a matter of trial and error. Honestly, I’ve found the value in just jumping in to crafting by working with various materials and getting a feel for them. Cutting/melting plastic bottles into shape, whittling wood, braiding rope. Eventually I’d like to start working on forging iron and aluminum, as well as flint napping glass bottles. Even starting small and simple gives you a strong indication of just what you can do with a bit more finesse.

[@blakehendrix641]

Check out Backyard Bowyer! He makes all kinds of bows, crossbows, etc out of PVC!

[@blakehendrix641]

He normally uses a heat gun and a DIY sort of heat reflector

[@tuannguyen-ly7xu]

Brilliant!! Thanks for sharing! Happy Holidays.. Be Safe and Be Happy

[@classic287]

Why does the Swedish navy have barcodes on their ships? So when they come to port, they can Scandinavian.....

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Lol, thank you for the joke Mr. Classic! :)

[@Jimjolnir]

xD I love it.

[@wertiaaudit5746]

Scan the navy in

[@MadaraUchiha-xg6et]

Those are pretty cool ideas ...even though i have been using a heat gun but those ideas are great like survival thing 👍👍👍

[@bobcaulfield9997]

great solution!

[@robertoromero2052]

Good presentation, very helpful.

[@balrajgurol7409]

Excellent sir

[@strictlylaborhvac5141]

Well, 1 thing I'm not suprised about. Another Great Video.. 👍

[@bewell4743]

⚘ for all the wonderful wives out there that put up with their man in their kitchen. 😉👍🏻

[@albertod4161]

Great inversion man 😎

[@tuannguyen-ly7xu]

WOW! it's simple and brilliant!!!! Thanks a lot. Happy Holidays

[@JoanNicolaïJonic]

I like the tip! I'm gonna build a Didgeridoo with PVC pipe an have to make a few bends in the pipe. You mentioned the sand was about 400 degrees. Is that in Fahrenheit or Celcius? We use Celcius overhere 🙂 Thanks!

[@WordofAdviceTV]

That was in Fahrenheit. 🙂

[@bysykler4959]

Just buy a new/used heat gun and end this silliness. 😂

[@billmcgirth]

Is there any pipe thickness that’s too thick and won’t bend? I’m looking at 1 1/4 in pvc

[@rickytatum3205]

HOT SAND!!!!! THAT WAS THE COOLEST THING EVER

[@Shootingstarcomics]

I used to have a job burying electric lines in pvc pipe at an airport and we would use the exhaust from the backhoe. We would just hold the pipe over the exhaust so it heated the section that needed a bend. It didn’t get that bendy, just enough that we could navigate a curve in a trench.

[@JaspalSingh-gk8wy]

Very good idea

[@josejpuli]

I usually use Heat Gun. It can also be used for extracting PVC fittings already stuck using PVC solvent. 87 is the answer to the question.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Good suggestion, thank you!! And 87 is indeed the right answer! :)

[@USMC-es4yy]

Yup..heat gun works perfectly!!! And you can do precision bending!

[@littlemissy8356]

No, 78 is the answer.

[@raczyk]

Any issues with making cuts to the PVC pipe after bending it?

[@classic287]

I think the car space is 10 Great idea bending those pipes. I could have done that many times, just never thought of it. I think a heat gun or hair dryer would work.

[@WordofAdviceTV]

That is not the correct answer. Please try again ;) I know a heat gun would work but not sure if the hair dryer would get it hot enough. Haven't tried those myself. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@ThePurpleHarpoon]

Here's a clue: 86 _ _ 88 89 90 91

[@bidyutroy7814]

Excellent Idea.

[@Rayram555]

That is genius! Love your show. Thank You

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Glad you liked the video! :) Thank you for watching!

[@n1london258]

most one is doing firstly the pipe fill with sand then took to heat , we good get a good result

[@ရွှေဇီးကွက်-မ၇ပ]

Thanks you ❤

[@YvonneMaas-q5u]

Going to go and bend some PVC Pipe right now!!!!! and it's Parking space 87 ;)

[@mckenziekeith7434]

Did you ever try hot oil? Seems like it might work. Anyway, great video.

[@AlexSWorlder]

What a genius work!

[@denniemelton206]

Eye Doctors back to 1960's have used (small Hot boxes filled with Sand in them to shape Glass Frames.) Seems more 2020 Plumbers ,Pipe Fitter's HOV, to Irrigation Sprinklers Techs. That have Whole or Retail outlets with special Torches, Hair Blowers or Drawers, Fitting Tools That worked with both PVC pipe and Licensed Contractor Electricians have not used these same similar techniques before this came out from 1960 to 2020. I, have been around long Time with other PVC, Grey Conduit that comes out newer ideas shape other techniques has not bee illustrated before on You Tube things before in the Archives? I am personally used to as mention at beginning Eye Doctors used the Hot small Sand box to shape ear pieces on Glass Frames. This on Patents needed custom fittings to their head around the ears before other devices to hold Glasses in place like to today. Yes, Great Idea However not always practice out in the Professional Field always on a major Job Contractor to Home or Commercial Work projects. Former Licensed Landscape Contractor 24 years. Certified Irrigation Repair Tech.12/20/2020 Nampa, Idaho.

[@eltonrice7392]

Old electricians trick. Slide the pvc in or over the muffler (depending on the pipe size) of a vehicle and let it run. In a few minutes it will soften up enough to work with it. Then use a wet towel to cool it down.

[@CleberLRamos]

Fantastic! Very good!!

[@laverncupido9183]

Thanks so much very helpful

[@agahajak]

Great video as always Jay! take care

[@WordofAdviceTV]

Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!

[@lesbsocal9107]

I know PVC will outgass t~o~x~i~c gasses if heated enough. I assume if you heat it just enough for bending it doesn't do that. Probably good safety to be careful to not overheat.

[@LAHover]

Thank you! this is going to help me big time! :D

[@oommdtube]

Your the bomb my friend !!!!!

[@ecomamaadmin3328]

Very thankful.

[@bilhenrywalker6841]

I need to bend 6" PVC tube in into various shapes for a new series of sculptures I am planning. Any advice for me?

[@asifshafi65]

Very good