How to Build Pipe Benders Yourself

Whether it is for a musical instrument, construction material or motor vehicle, building a pipe bender yourself is beneficial. Customize the size of the pipe bender to fit your pipes. The Chinese were the first to make tubes to pipe water. In the 1700s, the British used cast iron to make seamless pipes. The basic technique of tubing has not changed dramatically, compared to other types of technology. Instead of running out and purchasing expensive pipe benders, make them yourself.

Half-inch sheet metal piece
Table saw
Carbide-tipped blade
Two-metal handle, 5-inch prongs and 24-inch handle
Power drill
¾-inch carbide-tipped drill bit
Two ¾-inch screws
Two ¾-inch washers
Wrench
Vise grip

Instructions

- 1
  Cut a ½-inch sheet metal piece to the dimension of 5-by-5 inches, using a table saw and carbide-tipped blade. The piece is the bender base.
- 2
  Position the two-prong metal handle in the center of the bender base. The prongs have a length of 5 inches and the handle has a length of 24 inches. Line the front of the prongs with one end of the bender base. Line the back of the prongs with the opposite end of the bender base.
- 3
  Drill one 3/4-inch hole through both prongs and the bender base, using a power drill and 3/4-inch carbide-tip drill bit. Position the hole on the prongs, 1 inch from the front end, which is the large forger hole.
- 4
  Drill one 3/4-inch hole through both prongs, using a power drill and 3/4-inch, carbide-tip drill bit. Position the other hole on the prongs, 1 inch from the back end of the prongs, which is the small forger hole.
- 5
  Position a roller forger with a 2-inch diameter, which is the small roller forger, between the prongs. Line the hole in the center of the small roller forger with the small forger hole. Insert a ¾-inch screw into the small forger hole, through the center of the small forger and a bottom prong. Secure the screw to the bottom of the prongs with a ¾-inch washer, using a wrench.
- 6
  Position a roller forger with a 4-inch diameter, which is the large roller forger, between the prongs. Line the hole in the center of the large roller forger with the large forger hole. Insert a ¾-inch screw into the large forger hole, through the center of the large forger and bender base. Secure the screw to the bottom of the bender base with a ¾-inch washer, using a wrench.
- 7
  Position the handle to the middle of a side on the bender base. The handle makes two 90-degree angles with the edge of the bender base. Place a vise grip on the top left side of the bender base and tighten it to the base. The bottom edge of the vise is level with the bottom edge of the small roller forger. The vice grip is at a 90-degree angle from the handle when the handle is in upright position.
- 8
  Insert a pipe between the bottom of the small roller forger and the top of the large roller forger. The vise grip secures the pipe in place. Turn the handle to the right, which bends the pipe. Continue to turn until the desired bend is made.

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