How to Bend Copper Pipe

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

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Project Overview
  • Total Time: 5 - 10 mins
  • Yield: Bend one copper pipe
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $15

Copper pipe is soft and easy to bend by hand. But it's too delicate to bend smoothly and perfectly on its own. Bending copper pipe without special methods or tools results in pipe collapse and crimping.

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.

Tips For Bending Copper Pipe

  • Support the pipe: Support the copper pipe along the entire length of its bend to control the curve and prevent collapse.
  • Bend slowly: Bend the copper pipe slowly so you can keep the bend consistent along the entire length.
  • Shape the bend: Bend the pipe over a padded knee, metal can, bucket, or a larger pipe to form the perfect curve.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Bend Copper Pipe With a Spring

  • Indelible marker
  • Spring tubing bender kit
  • Deburring tool
  • Soft cloth

Bend Copper Pipe With Salt or Sand

  • Indelible marker
  • Funnel
  • Deburring tool
  • Soft cloth

Materials

Bend Copper Pipe With a Spring

  • Copper pipe

Bend Copper Pipe With Salt or Sand

  • Copper pipe
  • Fine sand or salt

Instructions

How to Bend Copper Pipe With a Spring

Tube-bending springs fit in or over the copper pipe and act as support to better distribute the force. 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.

  1. Mark the Bend Location

    Use an indelible marker to mark the spot on the copper tube where you want to make the bend. The mark should be at the outermost point of the bend's radius.

    Copper pipe marked with black marker on where to bend

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Smooth Off Burrs

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

    Copper pipe end being cleaned after cutting

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. 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.

    If the spring is longer than the pipe, you can easily retrieve the spring after bending the pipe. If the spring is shorter, attach a wire to the end of the spring.

    Different spring sizes laid next to copper pipe

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Insert the Spring or the Pipe

    Insert the spring into the copper pipe or the pipe into the spring, depending on the type of kit that you have.

    Thick spring pulled from copper pipe

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Bend the Copper Pipe

    After padding the copper pipe with a soft cloth, bend it over your knee. Move the pipe back and forth to the left and right sides of your knee to create a smoother bend.

    Copper pipe covered with spring and white cloth bent of knee

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Remove the Spring or Pipe

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

    Spring being removed from bent copper pipe

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

How to Bend Copper Pipe With Sand or Salt

Dense materials packed inside the copper pipe produce an effect much like pipe bending springs. They prevent any single area from receiving all of the bending force. Instead, the force is distributed along the entire length of the curve. Fine sand and salt can be used.

  1. 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.

    Bent copper pipe pulled on opposite ends to straighten

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  2. Tape One End of the Pipe

    Tape off the bottom of the copper pipe with duct tape or electrical tape.

    Duct tape covering end of copper pipe

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  3. Fill the Pipe

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

    Sand poured into copper pipe with blue funnel

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  4. Tape the Other End

    Tape up the other end of the pipe.

    Other end of copper pipe covered with duct tape

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  5. Bend the Pipe

    Bend the pipe to the desired curve.

    Copper pipe being bent with sand inside and two hands

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

  6. Remove the Tape and Filler

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

    Sand poured into small white cup from end of copper pipe

    The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Use a Pipe Bending Tool to Bend the Pipe

Copper pipe being bent with blue bending tool

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

A pipe bender is a small, inexpensive, dedicated tool that does only one thing but does it very well. It bends various sizes of copper and other soft metal pipes to a set radius, usually about 2 or 3 inches.

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.

The secret of pipe benders is that the top part of the tool—the shoe—travels along with the bend, ensuring a smooth curve.

When to Call a Professional

Copper pipe is expensive. If you're attempting to bend copper for a plumbing project, hiring a qualified plumber to bend the pipes may be more cost-effective than having to buy multiple pipes, should your attempts at bending the pipes yourself go awry.