On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 21:43:20 +0000, Pete C wrote:

Hi,

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 23:48:42 +0000 (GMT), Dave Plowman
wrote:

In article ,
Pete C wrote:
Putting a pipe bending spring inside will help stop it kinking.

The beauty of a pipe bending machine is you can bend the pipe near
anywhere along its length. Don't fancy your chances of getting a spring
out from the middle of a 3 metre length.

Just tie a length of fencing wire or similar to the spring, pull it in
to where the bend will be, once the bend is made pulling on the wire
will stretch the spring making it's diameter contract and it will come
out quite easily.

Also try annealing the tube by heating it up and letting it cool
slowly.

It shouldn't be necessary with a machine.

True, but if it's a one off then it might be better than a trip to get
another machine or a spring.

Just reread the original post and wonder if it's worth lining the
round 'former' of the pipe bender with a thin strip of rubber, this
might help the prevent inner side of the tube sliding and being
compressed into a kink while bending it.


A Kopex rotary pipe cutter is such a boon but it will make the spring
almost impossible to extract.
My Record bender only kinks (inside ripples) pipe very occasionally which
is always a wake up call to do some maintenance on the bender.


--
Ed Sirett - Property maintainer and registered gas fitter.
The FAQ for uk.diy is at www.diyfaq.org.uk
Gas fitting FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/GasFitting.html
Sealed CH FAQ http://www.makewrite.demon.co.uk/SealedCH.html