How to bend pvc

[alcadude]

Does anyone know how to bend pvc?

[Silver Serpent]

Pack it with sand, and heat gently until the PVC becomes soft. According to Wikipedia, it'll start to soften around 82 C, and actually begins to melt around 100-260 C. Once the PVC is soft, but before it starts to melt, carefully bend it into shape. After it cools you can remove the sand. The sand is there to prevent the PVC from collapsing or forming creases.

I would advise doing this in a well-ventilated area so you're not breathing PVC fumes.

Or you can just purchase flexible PVC tubing.

[alcadude]

Thanks for the help.Ill try it tomorrow.

[Thalan the Exiled]

You can heat the piece up using your stove top (electric only) just keep turning the piece over the burner. Also bend slowly so you don't get deformations. It will expand a bit but sanding will fix this.

[rlobrecht]

I've also read that heating the sand before you put it in the pipe helps to heat it evenly. Make sure you seal the ends after putting the sand in, otherwise the sand will come out and you'll still get kinks.

[alcadude]

Thanks guys.Any ideas on how long I hold it there for?

[Silver Serpent]

Without some method of measuring the temperature (I'd probably try one of those instant IR thermometers), it'd be just guesswork.

Err on the side of caution, heat it slowly. If it reaches the actual melting point, you're almost guaranteed to ruin the piece.

[FenixFire]

I have built plenty of PVC models in my lifetime. I personally prefer a heat gun method for two reasons. #1 you can do it outside. Heated PVC gives off chlorine gas which is extremely toxic to the point that it is actually used in chemical warfare bombs, so Do it outside and with a good quality respirator rated for chemical fumes...at a very minimum one rated for spraying 2 part automotive clear coat. #2 better control over the heat. These are assuming you do not have a portable electric oven large enough to heat the entire peice, which would be the ideal. Creating a wood jig in the inner diameter of the curve you are wanting also helps to form a smooth curve. Also make sure you leave ample excess pipe on either side of the radius to clamp or hold it in place.
Good luck

[captain_mills]

Also, keep some cool water handy (i.e. a bucket or a hose), so that when you get it in the shape you want it, you can cool it down so that it hardens in place. Ice-cold water is not what you want as it might actually make the piece brittle...

Just a thought
CM