how to bend copper pipe

[lati_cz]

I need to bend 3/4" copper pipe - nicely, no wrinkles. Radius 12".
Any suggestions?
Thanks Michal

[Levi the Tile Guy]

a pipe bender

[Dave Taylor]

Levi isn't funnin' us.

They is really a "pipe bender" whut werks'.

[thuffner3]

Bending copper pipe even with a bender can have terrible results.
I method I have used for artsy type projects is this;
You need two dowel rods (wood) long enough to insert to your desired bend lines from each end.
You need enough loose play type sand to fill the area between your bend lines.
little tricky.
Put the sand in the pipe, insert a dowel from each end, then bend.
A jig of desired shape is most helpful.
Also, you could find a spring that is the same diameter O.D. as your pipe.
Mechanics use the spring method on small brake line and transmission lines.
Good luck.

[Houston Remodeler]

In the plumbing dept there are shiny silver springs made to be slid into cooper pipe before attempting to bend it. After the bend is made, slide or screw the spring out. Granted these are made for soft copper, but can be used for hard copper with some heat applied to help soften the copper for the bend.

[lati_cz]

thanks guys, I have pipe bender and some sand too. I'll try - I hope it works.
Michal

[lati_cz]

Dave, in Czech we have "brick benders" we ask apprentice to get.....

[Calgary Dave]

Are you wanting to bend it and still have it under pressure? AFAIK you can't do that. That's why they have 90 degree elbows. Bending the copper weakens it. But I ain't no plumber.

[lati_cz]

no Dave, it'll be no pressure there. I am just rebuilding my outdoor shower. It can be done, there's videos on Youtube - but they use spec. machine I do not have.

[cx]

Dave, soft copper is made for just that. There's no problem at all using it in a pressure system. We bend it about through residential framing wherever necessary.

And it's pretty unlikely a fella's gonna make him a circle with a 12" radius using hard copper. But shouldn't be to tough with soft.

[lati_cz]

something like that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2bZ-...eature=related

[Calgary Dave]

If he's using soft copper there should be no question of "how to bend it". You just bend it. It appeared to me he was asking about ridgid copper. Which probably could not be bent at a 12" radius without weakening it. I ain't no plumber, but I DO know the diff between soft and ridgid copper. I do all my own plumbing on my renos.

[John Bridge]

For an exposed shower arm rigid copper will be fine. You can buy a hand operated electrical conduit bender at Home Depot for about $20.

[pgc555]

Until JB said HD has something for $20 I was going to say that you could probably go to a local Plumbing supply house and they might do it for you for free. Tradesman take care of their brothers.

[tilingjay]

You could just buy a coil at HD and carefully unroll to your specs.