How to bend plastic pipes ?

[Limpc]

Hi all,

Has anyone done the above before ? I'm referring to those clear plastic pipes which you can find in LFS.

Please share with me your experience if you have done so.

Thanks

Limpc

[spade]

heat the pipe over cooker hob, bend it then cool it using tapwater.

make sure ur wife/gf/mom dun c this when u doing this in the kitchen only invite

[Limpc]

Hi Spade,

Got to do this quietly then.

Have you tried to bend a 'U' shape ?

Thanks,

Limpc

[spade]

Hi Spade,

Got to do this quietly then.

Have you tried to bend a 'U' shape ?

Thanks,

Limpc

y not juz get 2 90degree elbows?? easier and no risk

[Limpc]

Well, this is one option which I'm considering too.

What I am trying to doing is to connect the output of a powerhead to my skimmer. If I were to have elbows/coupling would the water flow be restricted and reduces the effectiveness of the skimmer ? The original pipe comes with this skimmer (SeaClone) is one piece bent to shape.

Thanks for your advice.

Limpc

[spade]

Well, this is one option which I'm considering too.

What I am trying to doing is to connect the output of a powerhead to my skimmer. If I were to have elbows/coupling would the water flow be restricted and reduces the effectiveness of the skimmer ? The original pipe comes with this skimmer (SeaClone) is one piece bent to shape.

Thanks for your advice.

Limpc

if u want to hv u-shaped pipe, i think u can get from those eheim external filter accessories, where there hook the outlet/inlet on the tank.

cos if u bend the pvc in u-shape, the outer side become too thin and can be broken very easily ... IMO

[chanbi]

They have it at Hai Cheong (U shape PVC bended). U can go down and check with them.

[Achilles Tang]

I bend acrylic using a mini-blow torch that utilises a disposable cigarette lighter. The flame is 1000 degrees C!

For PVC, cheaply u can use a gas stove but you must constantly turn the pvc pipe, dun let it burn.... you will get a lot of toxic fumes.

Or to be safest, buy a hot air gun used by plumbers.. it's around $90 for a cheap one... low wattage... but can still can the job done!

AT

[Tanzy]

If you want to bend the pipe to a U but retain the bore, pack the pipe with fine sand then heat the section up and bend. The sand will prevent the pipe from collapsing on itself.

[Limpc]

Good tips, guys.

Thanks

Limpc

[Achilles Tang]

If you want to bend the pipe to a U but retain the bore, pack the pipe with fine sand then heat the section up and bend. The sand will prevent the pipe from collapsing on itself.

Is there any difference from using #1 sand and #2 sand while doing this?

*straight face*

[BarraCudaTM]

If you want to bend the pipe to a U but retain the bore, pack the pipe with fine sand then heat the section up and bend. The sand will prevent the pipe from collapsing on itself.

good idea turtle!

[Dinosaur]

Is there any difference from using #1 sand and #2 sand while doing this?

*straight face*

hahahahaha ..........

[Tanzy]

AT,

This you will need sugar fine beach sand for sure. The tighter the packing the better. Learnt this in the army.

[ZeRoC00l]

I have bent alot of these PVC conduits.

The min bending radius for 20mm is abt 120mm, if you use hot air gun.

Else use your knee to bend, slowly bend using brute force. If you want smaller radius, get a bending spring, slip it in and ben with your knee.