Thread: PVC arch question

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I have mentioned in another thread that I would like to do an arch that spans across the entryway between the bushes outside our house. I got some really long, thin pvc pipes, and I've got ideas on how to stabilize the arches once they are made and all that, but what I'm uncertain about is bending the pvc to the correct shape.

Does anybody know how I would go about doing the measurements and making sure that the arches in the pvc are correct?

And after I've done the measurements, is there a technique I need to follow to get a nice bend in the pvc?

I just bought a heat gun for this purpose, but I've never actually worked with bending pvc before, and since it's not so easy to find pvc here and rather expensive when ya do, I thought that I should probably ask for tips before I just jump in and try it on my own.

Any help you wonderful people can give me would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!

If you buy a (2) two-foot sections of rebar from one of the "big box home improvement stores" and hammer each halfway into the ground on opposite sides you can then slip the pvc right over on both sides and you naturally get a perfect arch and it's going nowhere with that rebar hammered fairly deep in the ground.
If you want a bigger arch you can buy a connector piece to connect more than one pvc pipe together or cut down the pvc if you what a smaller arch.

I had an arched green house built that way.

Not sure if I'm understanding you scenario perfectly

~Northrad

The rebar trick would work for long spans but if it is less than 8 feet it will snap the pvc. A heat gun will work but it will take forever. A torch works best. It is what we use when we bend pvc for electrical runs. Take your time and make sure it is hot before you bend it

Thank you both very much for the information!

I was concerned about snapping the pvc. Perhaps I'll return my heat gun and see about getting a torch instead.

Thanks again you have been very helpful!

Good question. I have bent pvc before and there is actually some areas on the net that will show you how. I would make a jig with the bend in place. You can't make huge bends all at once but smaller ones. Since you're just looking at making an arch that shouldn't be a problem. I would use some smaller pieces first to test on to get an idea how much heat to use. If you apply too much you will weaken the pvc to the point it will just melt. There is one technique that uses sand but if you're arches are longer than a few feet this might not be a good idea. The technique fills the pvc with sand before applying heat. The sand keeps the pvc bend equal on all sides. This is fine if you are making extreme bends.

For your arches you should be able to set up a jig and just set them pvc in place. You might want to consider breaking up the arch into three pieces using a T connection to hold the pieces together making two arches, one on top and one on bottom sort of like a ladder.

This will provide stability and will provide a place to put letters. Don't even ask how that's another question.

If you use the ladder style you can bend the center piece to the arch curve. This gives you smaller pieces. Hope that helps.

frank

Can you give me any information on how to make a jig and how to use it to create the arch?

My plan was to have two arches that connect to each other with the ladder kind of supports. Each of those arches would have an upper and a lower arch, separated enough for me to put the letters in between the two.

For some reason I've never been able to find any T connectors here for pvc, but that is definitely a good idea. I'll have to see if I can order some! Thanks.

I'm on my phone right now so giving you details might be a bit vague.

To set up a jig you can use a piece of ply wood or something you can set up an area where you can bend the pvc so it will have the same arch each time. This way it will be uniform. On the ply wood you will need a few one by fours or something you can bend the pvc around them use the heat.

Hope that helps.

Also, keep your eyes out for cable conduit or black ABS pipe that has come off a roll. I have a neighbor that works for a cable company, and from time to time he throws out scraps of 1/2 conduit that is curved, as it has come off a large roll. I've also found some black ABS sprinkler pipe being tossed out. It too comes off a roll and is pre-curved.

I us 3/4 ply and 3/8 carrage bolts. Put 2 bolt your pipe thickjness on the end and some more along the angles you want. heat the pipe and thread it throught the jig. Youll have the same arch every time. I have also used this process for twists.