Bending radius

[RobinClay]

I need a U-bend in 15mm copper to feed the shower hose outlet from the mixer tap (both concealed, i.e. buried behind plasterboard & tiles).

The two ends need to be parallel, and 113 mm apart. Can I achieve this with my bending spring (and get it out again!), or will I have to resort to soldered elbows ?

 

[kidgreen61]

I can't remember the radius of my pipe bender, how about you try on a piece of scrap pipe & measure?

Otherwise, soldered is the quickest.

 

[Agile]

Pity these dont help!

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Copper-Return-Bends-15213000

 

[Dan Robinson]

I do worry about you sometimes T.

 

[DP]

Bender, if I am not mistaken, will result in pipe bend radius of 100mm. The spring will bot allow a bend tight as that

 

[ree]

FWIW: I've not bent pipe for a long time but to pull a tight bend with springs, here is how i was taught:

Anneal the pipe until cherry red.
And as it cools introduce some slippy stuff eg butter, grease into the pipe as a lubrication for the spring recovery. We used tallow & also greased the spring.

With a cold pipe (it will retain the annealing for a couple of hours) slip the spring in and slowly bend - constantly moving and twisting the spring. A very rough jig can be used but usually it can be done freehand. Dont bend it over your knee - throat ripples will result.

 

[RobinClay]

FWIW: I've not bent pipe for a long time but to pull a tight bend with springs, here is how i was taught:

Thank you for that; just the job. But how tight a bend d'you reckon I could get ? 180 degrees at an inside diameter of 100mm is what I'm looking for...

 

[oldbuffer]

Could try http://www.bes.co.uk/products/147.asp part No. 7981/1982

 

[RobinClay]

Could try ....

Thanks ! But they don't say what radius the bend is - it looks too tight.

 

[ree]

I doubt that you will pull that 180 degrees for a 100mm diameter with springs.

If you have the time and energy why not attempt a few practice runs?

 

[oilboffin]

Get a return bend