Bending steel at home is a great way to achieve customized results without spending an arm and a leg. To do so, you will need to have experience with welding techniques. If you feel confident in your welding abilities, then it should be quite easy for you to bend a steel pipe (provided it is less than 1.5 inches in diameter and 18-gauge thickness or less).
Cap one end of the pipe with a plug and fill it with sand. Tap the pipe every so often to compact the sand and create a tight fit. This will prevent kinks from forming during the welding process.
Once filled, cap the other end of the pipe. Drill small holes into the plugs so that air can escape and the pipe will not explode.
Use your welding equipment to heat the area of the steel you want to bend. A neutral flame is suggested.
Once the steel has turned red, place the pipe over an anvil or into a vice. Use your mallet to bend the steel to the desired shape.
Let the steel cool. Once the pipe has returned to room temperature, remove the plugs and sand.
