Bending 4 In. PVC

Teetorbilt

Does anyone do this? I have a number of ideas for some artistic work but do not think that what I know will apply (I can bend up to 2" gracefully).

My heating system will have to be enlarged, no problem. I'm just thinking that pipe of this size will have to be supported from the inside to prevent kinks or collapse.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

hilltop

There is a minum radius bend that you can make in it before it will kink. I've made lots of bends and offsets in 4" PVC. They make a "hotbox" for 4" and bigger.

Sparky Joe

Do you have a "weed burner" if not you should get one, hooks up to any barbecue propane tank, costs about 10 bucks from Harbor Freight Tools or can be found online. Though its not allowed in construction, most everyone uses them anyways especially because it seems underground is always done in winter(just by coincidence I guess).
It takes a little practice, and a little 1 on 1 time, especially with 4 inch, but if your using for artistic stuff it would be best because the heat is controlled very precisely simply by where you point the end of the torch.
Suggestions; always keep the flame moving, returning more often to parts that are not yet as hot as others. With 4 inch, you'll have to squeeze the pipe in order to tell if its soft enough, it won't simply just 'go limp' like 2 inch and smaller does.

JAL

Take a look at this, it is made by Greenlee and is a blanket heater. They only make a hot box for up to 2" PVC conduit, but this is only one manufacturer and there are others out there that may have a hot box for 4” PVC. You might have to make some kind of a form so that you to get the exact bends/curves/offsets that you want.


http://www.mygreenlee.com/products/d...2334&upc=31488


There is another way and it involves welding the pipe together with a plastic welder that is easy to use. You were not specific as to what your end artistic product has to look like. So here is another link to a vendor that deals with only plastic products and has plastic welders and other products that might spark your artistic inclinations:

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/sea...er&category=61

As an after thought. PVC pipe does not hold up to exposure to direct sunlight and down there in Florida PVC might degrade and discolor over time. The artistic effect you started with might change over time.

kpi

I have used a Greenlee 4" pvc heater, so they at least used to make one. It really helps (for faster heating and less colapse) to plug the ends of the pvc before heating. Make sure you get the bend right the first time becasue afterward it will not fit back into the heater. I personally havent been able to bend anythig larger than 2 1/2" with a torch without severely scorching the outside of the pvc. Good luck!

red_cedar

I priced up a job several years ago for bending 4 inch copper pipe for downspouts ( with out kinking) Its my understanding the method that was to be used was to fill the pipe with sand, then bend.
Hope it helps.