How to bend Flex / Spa PVC

[markw78]

Anyone? Its about 4' long and wants to curl, no idea how I would go about even heating it or if that would work.

[imsqueak]

put it where you want it and it will reshape automatically. U probably got the end of the roll. if you want it straight RIGHT NOW your going to have to soak it in hot water while its straight. At 4', that's not going to be easy (unless you have 5' of pvc and end caps thats bigger in diameter than your tube).

[RicksReefs]

another option you can use is to
leave it in full sun for an hour or so,
then straighten it out, secure it so
it stays straight, leave it in full sun
for a coupla hours more. then without
moving it, hit it with your garden hose.
it should set up the way you had it (roughly).
HTH

[Qdoggie]

put a thin piece of pvc down it while hot then lit cool. should do the trick..HTH

[beaslbob]

Gee I'm glad I used pvc and avoided all this.

Of course I had to redo the plumbing three time also :D

[BobB]

Originally posted by markw78
Anyone? Its about 4' long and wants to curl, no idea how I would go about even heating it or if that would work.

a cheap curling iron inserted inside the tubing works like a charm

BobB

[Guy]

I used a hair drier to get it hot and then slid it over a piece of 1/2" PVC while it cooled. I needed 10' sections (1" Spa Flex PVC)and it still wasn't that difficult.

[MarkM3]

I placed it in my kitchen oven for about 5 minutes at 250 degrees on the convection setting . . . soft as can be. Granted, you may want to air the oven out before making a cake!

[MarkM3]

I placed it in my kitchen oven for about 5 minutes at 250 degrees on the convection setting . . . soft as can be. Granted, you may want to air the oven out before making a cake!

[serjuanca88]

I'm not sure I would reccomend the oven idea.

Fumes?
Possible explosions?
Fires?
melting spa pipe?

just sounds like a bad idea, when there are so many other safer alternatives

[marm64]

I put mine in the over also but I did not go up to 250, I went to the lowest setting on the oven, think it was 200. Once it is warm to the touch take it out and bend to desired shape. Works great.

[AcroSteve]

Used an oven here. 200

[gregt]

For lengths that will fit in the oven, I slide the flex into straight PVC of a larger size. Then "bake" on the lowest setting for 10 minutes. This starts you out with a nice soft (relatively) straight piece of flex. Be careful though, it is hot.

[ReeferMac]

Wait a minute?
It _is_ flexible, right? :confused:
And if it's a straight shot you're plumbing, why not use rigid PVC?

- Mac

[serjuanca88]

its flexible, just somewhat resistant. The point is that you can move it a few inches left or right instead of having to cut your pipe perfect.

[serjuanca88]

dp

[qwuintus]

when I got mine 2x 5ft I just put some weight on it and its straight now.

[gregt]

Heating it up softens it and makes it a little easier to bend to the shape you want it. It's also easier if you are starting out relatively straight rather than a tight bend.

[ReeferMac]

Hehehe, sorry guy's, maybe it's just me. I used 30 feet of the stuff plumbing my new tank, I'm very familiar with it... I just don't understand why it's a problem for some folks. {shrug}.

- Mac

[gregt]

For short runs at sharp angles it can be helpful to soften it up. For a run over 2 feet, it's not necessary.