15mm pipe bending help

[Milleniumaire]

I'm planning to replace an existing radiator this weekend; a single with a double and I'm aware the pipe centres from the will will need to be increased from around 20mm to 55mm to accommodate the depth of the new radiator. The floor comprises large chipboard boards with oak flooring on top, meaning it is very difficult to change the position of the pipework, or even allow more movement in the existing pipes. I therefore expect to have to cut the existing pipes down and to attach an offset pipe bend to reach the new radiator tails.

I will need to purchase a pipe bender and have found what appears to be a good one at Screwfix: Monument Tools Lever Copper Pipe Bender 15m

Having viewed a few videos I have a concern that it would be possible to create two bends in a short piece of 15mm copper pipe that would provide the additional 35mm reach as I believe there is a limit to the radius that can be achieved. I can obviously fit the new radiator higher up the wall than the existing one, to allow a longer pipe to be used, if this is necessary to achieve the new connections.

Is this likely to be possible for the additional 35mm reach that is required?

I would appreciate any advice on doing this as it will be my first attempt to use a pipe bender. I imagine I may go through a number of lengths of copper pipe before I get the bends right!

 

[denso13]

Doable, but tight. What about 2 x 45 degree end feed/solder ring fittings instead? Would look ok when cleaned up/painted.

 

[Milleniumaire]

Doable, but tight. What about 2 x 45 degree end feed/solder ring fittings instead? Would look ok when cleaned up/painted.

I confess I hadn't considered using 45 degree bends. I just assumed it would be harder to get the extra short 35mm reach using these fittings rather than manually bending the pipe.
I'm away from home at the moment so unable to determine what the minimum offset reach would be using these fittings.

 

[jj4091]

Or 2 of these

Pegler Yorkshire Tectite Sprint Push-Fit 45° Obtuse Elbow 15mm Street | Toolstation

Tectite Sprint copper push-fit system system, offers a range of attractive fittings that are quick and easy to install without the need for the use of or a hot works permit. An ideal solution for domestic and commercial applications, Tectite Sprint copper combines high performance with a...

www.toolstation.com

 

[steven lee]

It can be done but you will find it very tight, the former needs a bit of straight pipe between the two bends so a 35mm offset over a short length is hard work. For a one off job I would go with the 45s the others have mentioned, cheaper than buying a bender you may never use again and it looks fine once painted. If you do buy the bender, have a practice on a couple of offcuts first, it saves wasting good pipe.

 

[endecotp]

One option that I’ve seen but never done myself: have the valves at an angle, i.e. the top of the valve is facing into the room. Then the pipe comes up at its existing position, and has either one 45 degree elbow or one bend.

(I’ll try and draw a picture if you don’t immediately understand what I mean.)

 

[Milleniumaire]

One option that I’ve seen but never done myself: have the valves at an angle, i.e. the top of the valve is facing into the room. Then the pipe comes up at its existing position, and has either one 45 degree elbow or one bend.

(I’ll try and draw a picture if you don’t immediately understand what I mean.)

Yes, I see what you mean. Less room for error as there's only one bend in the pipe. It would possibly mean the valves would stick out beyond the front of the radiator, which wouldn't be ideal, but I will have a look when the new radiator is delivered on Saturday.

 

[endecotp]

Also consider connecting the flow to the top of the radiator.

 

[trojanhawrs]

You might get away with corner valves and street elbows. The smaller ones are about 30mm from valve centre to pipe entry

 

[Milleniumaire]

You might get away with corner valves and street elbows. The smaller ones are about 30mm from valve centre to pipe entry

Sorry, I don't know what you mean by "corner valves" and "street elbows".

 

[trojanhawrs]

Corner valves are valves designed for pipework coming out of the wall, so the compression fitting points that way. Example
Street elbows are soldered end feed 90 bends designed for going straight into a fitting. Example

 

[Milleniumaire]

Corner valves are valves designed for pipework coming out of the wall, so the compression fitting points that way. Example
Street elbows are soldered end feed 90 bends designed for going straight into a fitting. Example

Okay thanks, I see what you mean now.

 

[trojanhawrs]

It'd be tight, I'd recommend picking them up from screwfix and dry fitting, if it doesnt fit they're normally pretty good about taking them back