[TheForge] filling pipe with sand to bend

[Jerry Frost]

It'll work but like anything there are up sides and down sides. Leave a 
little weep hole in the plugs or you can get a steam explosion, even if you 
believe the sand is dry, hygroscopic moisture drives off at temps above 
230f.

Another method that seems to be really successful is to thread  a cable 
through the pipe and using a winch, hand power or a couple D-9 dozers draw 
the pipe over a mandrel with the desired radius. If you use cable of a close 
match diameter wise distortion will be minimal to not at all. Loggers just 
bend pipe over a tree stump with good results.

Jer
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Andy Gladish" <anjgladish at gmail.com>
To: <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2012 6:35 AM
Subject: [TheForge] filling pipe with sand to bend


> Has anyone out there tried this?
> I've got a curved schedule 10 1 1/4" nominal railing that needs a
> transition piece between two sections- this will be a curve that changes
> direction by 15 deg. in about 11". (that's a 42" radius)
>
> I'd have to bend it around a form or make some wooden dies and use a 
> press,
> but if it's hot it seems like it would distort unless the dies are shaped
> just right.
>
> I'm worried about distortion if I roll it cold OR hot....
>
> Then after it's done it needs to get to a brushed finish- will muriatic
> acid do that, or is it better to try to do it cold so there's less 
> cleanup?
> Or perhaps I can just grind and sand it clean?
>
> Thanks for any ideas!
>
> -- 
> Andy Gladish, Element Fe Metal Studio
> Blacksmithing and Blades
> 7141 Guemes Island Road, Anacortes, WA 98221
> Phone: 360.202.1160
> Andy at ElementFe.com
>
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> hit
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>
> Talent develops in tranquillity, character in the full current of human
> life. -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
>