A pipe bender is a piece of equipment used to bend pipe. In almost all cases, the diameter of the pipe determines which type bender you need or which shoes and dies you'll use. Some benders can handle a variety of sizes of pipe while others are designed for a specific size. The benders that are designed for specific sizes are usually those designed for very small diameter pipe or very large pipe. Most pipe benders will come with a variety of dies, or you can separately purchase a set of dies, that allow you to bend almost all standard sizes of pipe.

It is possible to use a tubing bender to bend pipe. But it's important to understand that even though some manufacturers call their equipment a "tubing and pipe bender," that's probably not an accurate description. Because pipe and tubing are usually measured in a different way, what works for one size of tubing will not work correctly for the same diameter size of pipe. Pipe diameter is measured on the inside while tubing diameter is measured on the outside. You may need to use calipers to measure the inside of the pipe to be sure you have a die on your tubing bender that will fit it perfectly.

Manual pipe benders are not terribly expensive, however, so it's best to use one designed for pipe. You can also purchase electric, hydraulic pipe benders. The cost will also be determined by the type of bending you require. If you can use a type of bending that may not be perfect and may bend the pipe in a way that the inner diameter is lessened a little bit, then you can use a press bending machine. This is one of the most inexpensive types and it's also one of the easiest ways to bend pipe. But it also commonly deforms the pipe a little, crushing it slightly where the pipe is pressed and bent. For pipes that don't show and that don't have to maintain a consistent diameter on the inside, it's perfectly suitable.

If you need it to be bent into a large circumference, then ring roll bending is the best way. This threads the pipe through rollers with one of the rollers pressing down on it to form the bend. It's ideal for very slight bends or coils.

Draw bending, also commonly called rotary draw bending, is used on a type of pipe bender that creates something pleasing to the eye. It's also important if the inner diameter of the pipe needs to maintain consistency. And mandrel bending is a type of bending  that's used in almost anything that will be seen, rather than something like an exhaust pipe that hidden and purely functional. A mandrel is inserted into the pipe to hold the inner walls steady as it's being bent.

In most cases, a pipe bender will do a fine job with either press or roll bending. There's much less need for perfect outward appearance when bending pipe which is typically just used in a functional sense. Anything used ornamentally would be best with draw or mandrel bending.

Photo Credits: HowdeeDoodat

Originally posted 2010-04-11 03:51:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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construction, Handy Man, Tools

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bending machine, calipers, circumference, diameter pipe, diameter size, hydraulic pipe, inner diameter, manual pipe benders, pipe bender, pipe diameter, pipes, tubing bender