Heat formed PVC
Materials:
- 1/2 inch pvc pipe [may need addl materials to heat thicker pipes
- Plywood board [or table you dont mind putting nails into]
- Nails [can also use screws]
- Hammer [and/or screwdriver if using screws]
- Paper pattern of curve you want to make [can also use fabric, or draw it on the plywood]
- Tape
- Heavy objects or clamps[if you dont want to hold it until it cools]
Steps:
1) Lay pattern onto plywood board, tape down if it moves too much
2) Line the outside of the pattern with Nails or Screws. Use more nails along tight curves for a better result.
3) Place the PVC pipe along the first nail, and hammer in a second nail on the other side of the pipe to hold it in place.
Note: it's temping to use a clamp here, don't do this until the first part of the pipe has been cooled, or metal clamps may heat up to leave indents, or the pressure of the clamp might cause it to start flattening.
1) Lay pattern onto plywood board, tape down if it moves too much
2) Line the outside of the pattern with Nails or Screws. Use more nails along tight curves for a better result.
3) Place the PVC pipe along the first nail, and hammer in a second nail on the other side of the pipe to hold it in place.
Note: it's temping to use a clamp here, don't do this until the first part of the pipe has been cooled, or metal clamps may heat up to leave indents, or the pressure of the clamp might cause it to start flattening.
4) Begin heating the pipe along the first few inches you want to curve. The first curve may take a minute or two. The pipe will become easily flexible when it's ready, don't try to force it to curve or you'll get dents! These images are from my first attempt so you can see some kinking already.
5) Place nails on the other side of the pipe as needed.
6) Repeat the process of heating along the pipe, curving, and placing nails to hold down what you've done.
7) hold the last bit down with books or clamps until it is fully cooled.
5) Place nails on the other side of the pipe as needed.
6) Repeat the process of heating along the pipe, curving, and placing nails to hold down what you've done.
7) hold the last bit down with books or clamps until it is fully cooled.
Results:
Advanced Notes:
- Do not cut pipe before curving, it's difficult to get the very ends of a pipe to curve correctly. It is much easier to cut later!
- If you're going to use curved pipe close or into PVC connectors, do not clamp or weigh down un-cooled pipe. The smallest indentation will cause it to not fit!
- If you've found you curved the pipe TOO much, re-heating will cause it to un-curl naturally!
- If your PVC pipe starts bubbling or turning brown, you are holding the heat gun too close.