3 foot diameter arches

[Zeph]

I tried the heat gun method as well, but found it to be somewhat tricky. Some sections would get warmer than others and cause the curve to not be as smooth as I wanted. What i ended up doing was creating a jig. I used a screw, string and pencil to create the curve, then screwed drywall screws on either side of the pencil line about every 4 inches, far enough apart that you can push a piece of PVC between the two rows. Then stand the jig up so that the pipe ends are up and pour boiling water into one end. After it cools you will have a perfect arch that will not deform.

Jon

So you bend the pipe into the jig before adding the heat?

[ppohlman]

... Some sections would get warmer than others and cause the curve to not be as smooth as I wanted. ...

If you are anything like myself, I am somewhat of a perfectionist, especially when it comes to things that I am building. Just remember though, you will be wrapping the arch with lights, so any minor non-smooth sections will be hidden. I had to keep telling myself that it didn't need to be perfect, just close enough to look like an arch at night from a distance.

[jhartley]

So you bend the pipe into the jig before adding the heat?

Yep! scared me at first, because i didn't know if the pipe would break, but a little muscle and the pipe will pop right into the jig.

Here is an illustration of the pipe in the jig..

pipebender.jpg