Have you ever needed to bend a length of PVC pipe for a project? PVC is such a great, light-weight building component for structures and costumes, but the sharp angles and straight lines leave a lot to be desired.
Today, Tom is going to show us how to do with with the help of our HomeRight Dual Temperature Heat Gun (affiliate). We use this heat gun for all sorts of projects around here, but using it to bend PVC was a new one for me. I’m sure there are plenty of other ways to bend PVC pipe, but this is how he does it.
Tom is building Zack’s Halloween costume (he goes ridiculously all out for Halloween!), and he needed some nice curves in the PVC pipe. Using heat resistant gloves, he turned the heat gun on the highest setting and warmed up the pipe, trying to bend it as it heated. Once the pipe was heated enough to become pliable, he curved it to the angle he wanted it to be.
As soon as he got it where he wanted it, he immediately ran a wet microfiber cloth across the bend. The wet cloth cools the PVC pipe down and effectively freezes the pipe in the position that it’s in.
Now for some warnings. Melted PVC does let off some not-so-great-for-you-fumes, so you’ll want to do this outside. Also watch to make sure that the PVC doesn’t get overheated, because it could end up looking like this.
Or even like this.
Tom says there’s a fine line between pliable and burnt, so really pay attention to what you are doing. Burnt pipe is okay if you are painting it or using it underneath other materials, but be careful if you want to use it without covering it.
Here’s what Tom’s costume structure looks like now. Any guesses as to what he and Zack are making? And here’s a hint – it’s NOT a dinosaur.
HomeRight is giving one of their awesome heat guns away to one of my readers – now you can make your own Halloween costumes a la Tom. 😉 Simply fill out the Rafflecopter box below to be entered to win (if you are reading this via email, you’ll need to click over to the blog to enter).
As a HomeRight Ambassador, I have been compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
That is such a great tool!
I can imagine a lot of good uses for a heat gun…though I’m not sure I would have thought to bend PVC!
OMG…. I knew I needed one for crafting, but you’ve opened new doors in my imagination!!!!! Woooo hooo!!!!!!! I think I know what I’m putting on my Christmas list!!!! (if I don’t win it!! 🙂
Can think of a few projects that I would like to bend PVC for. This is great!
Wow! that is so cool – I never thought about bending PVC – I’ve just always tried to make it work with the weird little angle fittings.
Stripping old paint!
I would TOTALLY use this to make our Christmas float! Brilliant to mold PVC pipe!! SO AWESOME!
I think this would be so cool to make big play structures. I’m been hoping to collaborate with my husband on a craft project, thinking he could build something for me in a man-crafty way, and this would be perfect!
im sure i can do many DIY projects with this amazing product
Definitely want to see what I can do with a heat gun and some pvc.
To remove some paint from a project I am working on instead of harsh stripper.
I never would have thought to use a heat gun to bend PVC pipe! I’ve only used one to help strip veneer from an old piece of furniture. I can’t wait to see what you’re making!
I have no idea how I would use it but I think the e=bending of pvc is awesome
I’m dying to know what the costume will be! I never knew you could bend PVC!
Well, bending PVC seems like a pretty fun thing to do with a heat gun! Heat embossing is also on my list…
I’ve been wanting one to remove some paint and to try some some projects I have pinned. I didn’t know you could bend pvc pipe with it!
I would love to bend some PVC to make hoop houses for the garden.
Great Post! It never occurred to me to bend PVC, but now I can think of a thousand things to do with it. I have a light fixture I want to enhance with a couple of circles and thought about using hula hoops, but they would be way too big. Now I can just buy some small pvc pipe and create the hoops in the size I want. Brilliant!
Would love to win a heat gun. Love your page and information.
Wow great post. I love to do DIY project and your article.
Amazing!
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