The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Copper pipeis soft and easy to bend by hand.

But it’s too delicate to bend smoothly and perfectly on its own.

Bendingcopper pipewithout special methods or tools results inpipecollapse and crimping.

Copper pipes being bent with hands and with a pipe bending tool

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

There are a couple of easy and reliable ways to bend copper pipe safely.

One method uses an inexpensive spring kit to prevent the pipe from crimping.

Another method uses common salt or fine sand.

Copper pipe marked with black marker on where to bend

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Bends as extreme as 180 degrees are possible with tube springs.

Tube springs come in kits of various sizes that fit copper pipes ranging from 1/4-inch to 5/8-inch diameter.

The mark should be at the outermost point of the bend’s radius.

Copper pipe end being cleaned after cutting

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Smooth Off Burrs

Clean off any burrs on the end of the copper pipe from cutting.

Choose the Spring

Choose the correct size of spring for the pipe.

Some springs fit in the pipe, while other types are designed to fit around the outside.

Different spring sizes laid next to copper pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

If the spring is longer than the pipe, you could easily retrieve the spring after bending the pipe.

If the spring is shorter, attach a wire to the end of the spring.

Remove the Spring or Pipe

Remove the spring or the pipe.

Thick spring pulled from copper pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

If the spring is difficult to remove, twist it clockwise while pulling it out.

They prevent any single area from receiving all of the bending force.

Instead, the force is distributed along the entire length of the curve.

Copper pipe covered with spring and white cloth bent of knee

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Fine sand and salt can be used.

Straighten the Pipe

Roughly straighten out the copper pipe or tubing.

It doesn’t have to be perfectly straight; only straight enough to allow the material to flow.

Spring being removed from bent copper pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Fill the Pipe

Fill the copper pipe with sand or salt, using a funnel.

Tape the Other End

Tape up the other end of the pipe.

Bend the Pipe

Bend the pipe to the desired curve.

Bent copper pipe pulled on opposite ends to straighten

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Remove the Tape and Filler

Remove the tape and let the sand or salt flow out.

Shaped like a set of pliers, a pipe bender allows for the insertion of pipes down the middle.

A marked gauge indicates the angle of the bend, from zero up to 90 degrees.

Duct tape covering end of copper pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

When to Call a Professional

Copper pipe is expensive.

Sand poured into copper pipe with blue funnel

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Other end of copper pipe covered with duct tape

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Copper pipe being bent with sand inside and two hands

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Sand poured into small white cup from end of copper pipe

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Copper pipe being bent with blue bending tool

The Spruce / Kevin Norris