Bend mild steel pipe?

[AlvoSlim]

Hello all - bit of advice would be gratefully recieved...

I need to bend a 3/4" mild steel pipe (18 swg) to about a 45 degree angle.

I've got a plumbers pipe bending kit with a 3/4" former - will this do the job or am I likely to struggle to bend the steel or deform the aluminium former?

Thanks for reading my query.

 

[^neo^]

Only way to find out is give it a go!
Might be alright, but it will probably crush and fold

 

[muggles]

Any chance of a pic of what you've bought? Sounds a bit weedy to me - steel pipe is usually bend using a hydraulic bending machine

 

[AlvoSlim]

I've bought nowt yet. I already own a plumbers hand held pipe bender, with about 2ft arms on it.

If I can't bend the steel, I'll go back to the drawing board and find plan B.
Rather not waste the money on the steel if I can help it though.

 

[Jasonb]

Its no more effort than bending steel electrical conduit so should not be a problem

The main thing to make sure of is that the pipe fits the former, a plumbers bender will be 22 & 15mm so you may get some crimpled bits on the inside of the curve and the bend will be a bit flat if your tube is 18-19mm.

Jason

 

[AlvoSlim]

Thanks for your advice all.

I reckon it's back to the drawing board though, as it sounds like I'll need to use a 22mm pipe or find a 3/4" former.

It's got to be a cleanish bend as it'll bug the heck out of me otherwise.

Edit: I clearly messed up my original question - I don't have a 3/4" former at all - it's 22mm. Doh! Thanks Jason.

 

[Symptoms]

Alvo - as steel has different properties to copper you are likely to encounter deformation problems as others here have indicated if you try to bodge with ill-fitting tackle. Where in the UK are you 'cos if you're NEAR me you could 'borrow' my pipe bender - a big Universal Hillmor. It's is possible (just ... a bit of a struggle) to bend up to 50mm dia thin wall (14 to 18 swg) steel in a decent manual bender. Thick wall stuff needs hydraulic.

 

[Jasonb]

You could also hire a conduit bender from your local HSS but would still be stuck with conduit sizes - 16,20,25 & 32mm

Jason

 

[AlvoSlim]

Alvo - as steel has different properties to copper you are likely to encounter deformation problems as others here have indicated if you try to bodge with ill-fitting tackle. Where in the UK are you 'cos if you're NEAR me you could 'borrow' my pipe bender - a big Universal Hillmor. It's is possible (just ... a bit of a struggle) to bend up to 50mm dia thin wall (14 to 18 swg) steel in a decent manual bender. Thick wall stuff needs hydraulic.

I'm in Derby thanks for the offer Symptoms...pretty central. But I'll probably have a pop with some 22mm pipe if I can find some at 18swg or thinner. Time for a Google search.. unless anyone knows where I can source some...??

Made up with all you great advice chaps - thanks again.

 

[Symptoms]

Alvo - I'm in the South East so am miles away ... sorry I couldn't help. Best of luck with your project.

Just a thought ... see if you have a local steel fabrication firm nearby, pop-in and have a chat, they may have a length of tube and bend it for you. Pay for the metal and a 'drink' for the bend.