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How to Bend .5 Tubing

Some tubing is made to be hand-malleable, but most must be bent using metalsmithing techniques. Tubing up to 2 inches can be bent by applying heat to the bend point, and then applying pressure to the pipe to form the correct angle. For steel or other hard metals, an oxy-acetylene torch is recommended. Other oxy-fuel torches may be used to heat and bend softer metals such as copper tubing.

Things You'll Need

Pipe
Fine sand
2 end caps
Vice
Table
Oxy-acetylene torch
Torch igniter

Instructions

- 1
  Fill pipes that will be pressurized with compacted damp sand. Cover the ends with plastic end caps or otherwise seal the sand into the tubing. Filling the tubing is not necessary if the pipe won't be pressurized.
- 2
  Secure the tubing in a vice. If possible, make sure that the vice is bolted to a table that's attached to the floor. This will make the bending process easier and it won't require as much heat.
- 3
  Open the valves on the oxygen and the acetylene tanks. Use the torch igniter to light the flame. Apply even heat to the circumference of the tubing, holding the torch approximately an inch from the metal.
- 4
  Continue to heat the metal while applying pressure to the end of the tubing opposite the vice until the bend is made.

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