Is it possible to heat and bend PVC pipe without an arbor press?

[sonambulo]

So basically I'm trying to build a [large] dodecahedron from PVC and cardboard. Don't ask. Anyways the first attempt got ruined and I'd like to build the second model a little stronger. On the first go I had made the joints the same way as this guy and they worked 'OK' but I'd like them to be stronger this go round.

Simple yes/no I guess. It's 1/2" pvc pipe so it shouldn't take too long to heat the ends up before I go in for the bend.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

So basically I'm trying to build a [large] dodecahedron from PVC and cardboard. Don't ask. Anyways the first attempt got ruined and I'd like to build the second model a little stronger. On the first go I had made the joints the same way as this guy and they worked 'OK' but I'd like them to be stronger this go round.

Simple yes/no I guess. It's 1/2" pvc pipe so it shouldn't take too long to heat the ends up before I go in for the bend.

Springs!

 

[spidey07]

You can get different grades/thickness that are easier to bend.

 

[sdifox]

Possible, yes. Easy, no. Make it look good, impossible.

 

[sonambulo]

Possible, yes. Easy, no. Make it look good, impossible.

It's 1/2" PVC. Heats up in no time. I've already got 10 ballasts (of the 40 I need) done as I post this. No problem. Sometimes I just need to think out loud.

 

[sdifox]

It's 1/2" PVC. Heats up in no time. I've already got 10 ballasts (of the 40 I need) done as I post this. No problem. Sometimes I just need to think out loud.

Are you doing mandrel bends at all? If not, yea it's easy.

 

[dartworth]

Springs!

or sand

 

[sonambulo]

Are you doing mandrel bends at all? If not, yea it's easy.

No. I'm making a dodecahedron so I just have to flatten and bend the ends in one quick motion and then hold it for a second while it cools. If I needed mandrel bends I probably would have gone with a different material from the start but...I don't really need them.

 

[sdifox]

No. I'm making a dodecahedron so I just have to flatten and bend the ends in one quick motion and then hold it for a second while it cools. If I needed mandrel bends I probably would have gone with a different material from the start but...I don't really need them.

So you just need some steel toed boots :biggrin:

 

[drnickriviera]

To elaborate on dartworths' comment, you can do sand bending. Get some dry sand, fill the pipe and cap both ends. should help keep the pipe from collapsing on the inside radius

 

[Chunkee]

i use a soldering torch...just keep it an even distance and bend it.... piece of cake

caution: do not burn and inhale fumes: cancer results.

 

[sonambulo]

Well I made the final form but it's way too wobbly. Struts are 24" in length. I'm going to have to pull it apart and make the panels smaller with some form of extra support.

 

[funkymatt]

can you get couplers or joints with the angles you need?

 

[skyking]

My dad made spa tubs with 1.25" schedule 40, he used a commercial heat gun with a T-shaped device. You fed the pipe through the straight section and kept it moving, the hot air came in the intersecting piece of sheetmetal.
Remove it and bend it. Use leather gloves.
Electricians use hotboxes or blankets.

 

[sonambulo]

can you get couplers or joints with the angles you need?

Negative. Not too many three way joints available at the depot either. Anyways I only bumped this because I ended up finishing the whole project this morning. Holy shit did I run into lots of problems with siding and painting the thing.

I just wanted to pat myself on the back here and I'll let this thing die now.