Make PVC Look Like Wood

[myxpykalix]

This actually looked like it got good results and i could see how you could use this on flat pvc also.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Make-PVC-Look-Like-Wood/?ALLSTEPS

[dana_swift]

PVC Conduit bending..

I have been doing an electrical project recently where I needed to bend PVC conduit into custom shapes to avoid obstacles. I discovered if I put a rope inside the conduit it keeps the conduit from collapsing while I manipulate it. The rope should have an OD that just touches the conduit ID. Then use a heat gun on the outside PVC where I need to bend it. The rope absorbs little heat, so be sure the rope material will not melt at PVC bending temperatures. Its easy to pull out of the conduit when things cool off.

The local hardware store had 1" rope for about $2 per foot. I bought a 10' piece so I could bend 10' conduits. $20 for a PVC bending solution .. a price I can live with, and not only that, the rope should last forever. :)

D

[dana_swift]

Starting out, thread the rope through the 1" PVC conduit, which is laid across a 2x4 the width and height of the hump I wish to make:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25662&stc=1

Heat the first bend, here is a thermal photo showing the temperature rising, but not hot enough yet.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25663&stc=1

Now making another bend in the plastic zone around 250F.

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25664&stc=1

Finished result:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=25665&stc=1

Last, pull out the rope, and done!

D

[myxpykalix]

Dana what you should have done was cut a curved bending jig on the bot to keep it from getting those kinks in it. Or if you have a larger pvc pipe you could pack it with sand?

I think you just wanted an excuse to use your new thermal imaging gizmo, huh?:rolleyes: worked good buddy!

[Bob Eustace]

Great thinking Dana!

[knight_toolworks]

good way is to heat sand in the oven then put that in the pipe it supports it and heats it to bend at the same time and it is cheap.

[Simops]

Remember to do the heating in well ventilated area......PVC puts out toxic gases when heated....

[joe]

Dana,

Great idea! I've got to use this method on some of my shaped panels.

You always amaze me.

Joe

[dana_swift]

Thank you Joe! Good to know you are still making those fabulous signs! Having the thermal camera is really just a toy in this application, but I can be certain to have heated the section I want to bend uniformly. The rope guarantees the pipe wont collapse even with sharp bends like I made in the photos, so I can still pull wire through it. If the bends are gentle the PVC doesnt wrinkle. Also if I stretch it the wrinkles dont form, but the length goes wrong then.

Dana, (Bev says hello!)

[Brady Watson]

Hey Dana,
You might want try filling the pvc with sand and cap it off before bending...

-B

[knight_toolworks]

Hey Dana,
You might want try filling the pvc with sand and cap it off before bending...

-B
for once I beat you to an answer. but heating the sand gives the method to heat the pipe too.

[Brady Watson]

Ah...yes. Missed your post. I've done this as well with metal tubing. Works like a champ.

-B

[bleeth]

Dana:

For Conduit you need a temp in the neighborhood of 250 degrees and you want to bend it shortly as it reaches that temp. A bending jig and filling with sand or cat litter tightly packed and capped will eliminate wrinkling (as noted previously) . Your bot can knock out a bending jig quick. For offsets you can nail some blocks to a piece of ply either the whole shape or just the key points. Rather than allowing it to cool naturally you get better results with water spray. When it turns shiny again you are good to go. A heat box can be built pretty easily. Several examples on net of course.

Back in college days I worked grave shift at a pipe plant. Spent all night heating the ends of lengths and then shoving them over a stainless plug to bell the ends. During breaks we would play around with "artistic" bends. One of my favorites was taking some larger diameter and twisting it so it ended up with no hole. Looks like a spiral column. 2 feet of that will provide excellent impact power. Also made cool legs for tables or chairs.

[Michaelodunk]

If you have a lot of pvc to bend this looks like the way to go.

pvcbendit.com