Copper Pipes Bending

louithom · 16 Jul 2014

I'm attempting to re-purpose some copper pipes I have to make curtain rods. I like the exterior look of the copper but of course the downside is that copper is rather soft and bendy. Does anyone know of anything I can use to go inside the copper pipe to give it more rigidity? I'm using 15mm pipes. I'm wondering whether some sort of interior steel rod would help or if there is some other kind of substance that can go inside which would stop it bending from the weight of the curtains? I have already used a copper tee attached to the wall in the middle to give it some support, but the lengths either side are still long enough to allow a little bending when the curtains are hung and I can't add in any more supports or I won't be able to draw the curtains.
I'm ideally looking for a relatively cheap solution as this is meant to be a budget project.
Any ideas gratefully received, thank you.
Louise

bernardgreen · 16 Jul 2014

wooden dowel if the pipe is straight ?

louithom · 16 Jul 2014

Thanks for the suggestion Bernard. I'd assume something wooden would also have a slight bend, but I suppose if I can find a piece that fits snuggly enough inside then that could definitely work. I'll have a look to see what I can find this weekend.
Thanks very much.

Jackrae · 16 Jul 2014

It really all depends on the span - which you haven't specified.

Whatever you fit will add weight and you then get into a compromise between increased weight causing natural bending and its rigidity (second moment of inertia) preventing bending

To get maximum "anti-bend" with minimum weight I'd suggest a strip of steel bar pushed into the copper such that the bar remains orientated vertically (this is important) along its whole length. You will probably have to fix the ends with something like plastic wood or plastic metal to hold it in the vertical position.

In effect you end up with two "D" shapes back-to-back

For 15mm copper tube, a steel strip 13mm x 3mm will slide in nicely. You will need to kink it very slightly along its length (in effect a snake like shape) so that the middle doesn't tend to flop over and lie flat.

louithom · 16 Jul 2014

Thanks for the reply Jack, most helpful and very well explained. I will definitely look into the steel strip idea - the span I'm looking to cover varies but the longest is around 190cm, the shortest around 150cm.
Thanks again.

colinM50 · 16 Jul 2014

What clever and innovative idea. well done.

Regarding adding some structural strength to the copper tude, how about filling it with concrete? three to one mix with say silver sand and ram it in with a stick.

louithom · 16 Jul 2014

Thanks for the suggestion Colin. I had wondered about concrete but was concerned about getting it into such a narrow opening - if I don't get it solidly packed in before it sets then I guess there's a danger of it having weak points where bending could still occur. I could try a sample piece first though and see if that works. This is definitely one of those jobs that involves a bit of trial and error, but hopefully it will come good in the end!
Thank again for the suggestion.

EddieM · 19 Jul 2014

Cement.

Razor900 · 26 Jul 2014

Just use 22mm

mickthegas · 27 Jul 2014

if your sealing both ends fill it with sand,that will be strong enough

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Copper Pipes Bending

EddieM

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