I built a frame for over my pond with pvc probably around 20 years ago using fittings to put it all together. The idea was to keep the fall leaves out of the pond since I live in the wiids and there are a lot of leaves. It was a monstrocity that was somewhat effective but not nearly so as I would have liked. Leaves would pile up in valleys plus putting it up and taking it down was a pain. I finally gave that up after 4 or 5 years and tried to get as many leaves out before they sunk to the bottom. That was labor intensive and really less successful than the pvc frame. Lucky I only had comets instead of expensive koi or I would have been digging floaters out all year. Then there was the issue of blue herring that decided my pond was a restaurant. Move forward 20 years and I want to get active with the pond again. Saw a great video of a guy that used 3 arcs of Pvc over a pond slightly bigger than my 10 x17. He drove rebar into the ground at appx. 45 degree angles and put one end in the rebar on one side of the pond, went to the other and did the same there. ingenious but he didn't describe how he bent the pvc. Now I know how and my pond will be very clean after the fall (both figuratively and literally. Now all I have to do is figure out the calculations for each arc's size as the pond's dimensions vary from front to back but the netting is ordered and I'm off to the races. Much thanks Bill Lawson!

If you want identical curves. I suggest setting up some type of jig, or curve. The boiling water cools as it flows through. So each bend will be slightly different.

You're welcome! Glad I could help.

good solution for long sections that just need gentle arching bends. but useless for shorter sections that need sharper bends...

Try a bending spring even quicker

+Barb That's great Barb. Glad I could help!

+David Noll glad I can help!

F.Y.I. That is a copper hot water Kettle.

You're welcome. Glad I could help!

did it work on 2 inch pvc for a bicycle fenders?

Glad I can help

Glad I could help.

Glad you like it!

The tightest circle I have be able to get, is about a 8 inch circumference. But I put the pipe in a pot of boiling water.

@@lawsonpix, I gave this a try and it worked great. Unfortunately, I am going to have to build a good mold to get the results I need, a consistent arc over a 6'-8' length. Going for a 8' and two 10' diameter circles. Ended up with a curved rectangle. LOL Back to the ol' drawing board.

Glad you liked it!

Wow, that's a great idea!

You're welcome! I'm glad your greenhouse is saved.... lol

Me too. I was looking at something that wasn't customized for my situation the was going to cost $250. I've already priced out my estimated cost and it's less than $75 and a little work on my part.

Your welcome

Glad it helped!

Richard P that's a great idea!

glad you like it. Thanks!

+John Mayer Make sure the water is fully boiling, then pour plenty in there. works great!

What like a bending spring

He replaced it.

You’re welcome 😊

Yeah it has plenty of structural integrity. I used it to build a hoop shelter. I was able to hang on my shelter made with only 5 half inch ribs. It was very strong.

Yeah, making a form is the best

yes, his arch is uneven also, as it retained stiffness at the far end of the pour where the water which had lost most of its heat into the material sat. the pour end accepted the bend and did not spring back. definitely best to use a form and make sure to send more hot water through both ends, i think, as i sit in my chair not doing this.

+mtaur100 Any fitting that allows the water to pass though will work. I used a "T" on one end, and an "elbow" on the other end. A coupling would be the cheapest.

What's the purpose of the fittings? Couldn't you do this with bare pipe ends?

Sure you can do it without fittings. But remember, the pipe becomes soft, so the pipe will flex at the ends. And then you can't put fittings on anymore.

Thanks

I've used this method to bend 1inch pipe. As long as the water in the pipe is hot you can shape it. When the water cools off, you can no longer shape it.

Photographer Bill Lawson Thank you very much! Grateful I don’t have to buy and heat up sand, buy end caps or 45-degree elbow fittings, and worry about off-gassing chemicals!

Have fun!

+chris spotville This is not a good way to make elbows. This method is best for larger arches, as seen in the video. You can try putting short pieces into a pot of boiling water, then you can make a tight bend. But elbows, no.

+Bill Lawson i meant the bow and arrows made from pvc

+chris spotville You don't need to pre-bend the bow, for a bow and arrow set up. You'll need PVC's ability to straighten back out to launch the arrow.

If you need to do tight bends, I suggest doing this method multiple times. Bend it as far as it will go without crushing. Heat it, cool it. Then bend it as far as it will go, heat it and cool it and repeat. I was able to bend a 1/2 inch pipe in a complete circle to fit in a 1 foot box.

use sand or garden hose inside pvc, then heat gradually and bend to desired shape

Farmer Doug this should work pretty good for that

No just use a bending spring

Tracey Osborn well you came to the right place! I posted that pin. And it's my project. What are your questions?

How do the 1/2" ribs stay connected to the 3/4" backbone? Also, I cut the ribs to 8' and the peak is much higher than your illustration.

The 3/4 backbone just slides into place. Once you put a tarp on top, the backbone isn't going anywhere. I was even able to pull myself up using the backbone. It's quite strong. The 8' ribs can be cut shorter if you want. 8' is only a nice starting point.

Good tips. Thanks Bill. I've decided not bend the ribs. I can transport the straight lengths easier . I feel that I can get all pieces into a 3" PVC pipe, capped at both ends. Thanks again for you quick response.

Right, you don't have to bend the ribs with boiling water. I bent the ribs because it made assembly easier.

Walter West that's a great question. I've never tried it. We know that boiling water softens the PVC so you can bend it. So you can probably bend it a little, then pour the boiling water in, then let it cool, then bend it a little more, and continue the process until it's bent enough.

Because the ends get soft and may change shape. If they change shape, then you can't put fittings on later.

@@lawsonpix Ah, ok, thank you.

Should work. Probably want to leave the water in the pipe longer with the larger diameter. That will soften it up a bit more.

As long as it's a gentle bend, it should work.

Sure

No, 90 degree angles would be to sharp. the sharpest curve I have made is about 5 or 6 inches across. And I did that in a pot of boiling water.

Yes. The pipe shown in this video is Schedule 40. This method will probably work for Schedule 80 as long as you don't do any tight bends.

What size pipe are you using?

Yes, but leave the hot water in a little longer

An iron might be better for that.

you sure that would work without scorching it

PVC melting point is 350 degrees F. An iron is temperature controlled. Try different levels if you are concerned.

SniperSurvivalist & Bushcraft

Cold water pipe? I'm using "Schedule 40 PVC" pipe. I've never heard it referred to as "cold water pipe" but I guess you can call it that.

thanks, when I did a repair on a water line, the hardware store called it hot water pipe so I just went with the opposite.

pvc is for cold water and sewer applications whereas cpvc is required for hot water applications although it can also be used for cold water. pvc is white and cpvc is kind of yellowish.

The water heats evenly...can't get that with a heat gun.

The pipe warms up fast, so 1 or 2 minutes is plenty of time. Jute rope will work.

@@lawsonpix thank you. It worked.

@@asifahussain6959 that's great!

Why not just use a bending spring

I've never heard of that problem.

Diver, Sky lmao it's pvc pipe, it's made for water

Not recommended for 'potable' water.

Lol...

@@photog1529 Ever been under a house?