Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

[Moody Blue]

I have an original vinyl (?) boat cover (1971) that is is remarkable condition. Problem is that the poles have been cut and modified over the years to the point they no longer properly support the cover and I want to replace them.

I am considering aluminum or stainless steel 7/8 tubing. Any advice about tooling or techniques for the DIYer?

If this works out well, I want to attempt my own bimini top.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

You'll never get the bends right without the proper equipment. I have used sand in the tube on occasions, but did not have to have any accuracy like you will. Take your project to a canvas shop and do it right.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Rent or buy a ratchet bender that is tooled for the size tubing you want.You will need at least .065 wall thickness AND a 3" center line radius to prevent flattening and wrinkles on stainless.Depending on the hardness of aluminum you may have to use a 4" center line radius or pack it with sand to prevent flattening and wrinkles.

Bending either material on smaller radii would require a mandrel to prevent flattening and wrinkles.

 

[Draft]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

sound like you'll only be making two bends.

I made a bender out of plywood and 2x4's, cut the radius you want in the 2x4's and screw it to the plywood. put the tubing in the jig and run it over with your car, leaving the tire over the jig. (hold the jig in place) bend the tubing. leaving it as long as possible for leaverage. I did this for a front railing on a whaler. Stainless tubing is pretty tough to bend manually. Would I do it again. No.

 

[And-Con]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

If you happen to know a friendly electrician you can ask to borrow a conduit bender, but i would skip buying one for one small project.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

If you happen to know a friendly electrician you can ask to borrow a conduit bender, but i would skip buying one for one small project.

Better yet, call the electrician like I did. It was $20 for 30 minutes of his time and the bends were perfect. He does this every day and knows how to measure and place the bends exactly.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Interesting responses, thanks much. Some good ideas for a one time (I hope) project.

Bart Sr, what size ratcheting bender are you talking about. I've seen a unit on sale for $80 from $180 but was doubtful of its ability to bend the heavier wall (.065) tubing. Thought is was more for copper tubing etc. The handle length was about 18".

Draft, can't visualize you approach. Is the car tire just to hold the jig in place while I bend the tube around the form? How did the bend turn out? What radius did you form?

Fireman431, what material did you have bent using the conduit benders? Didn't think the diameters of conduit and tubing were the same.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Hi more input here. A conduit bender for 3/4" electrical metallic tubing od is 7/8". and will work wonderfully just mark your pipe and deduct 6" for the radius and off you go. do a practice piece first. on a clean surface, not all benders act the same. keep good pressure on the shoe or it will either kink or have ripples. come on down to NY we can spin it out in no time

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Sorry but I guess I'm spoiled. I have the spent the better part of 30 years as a tube bender and always had adequate equipment for whatever I wanted to do.

The ratchet benders ARE quite HIGH BUCK.The conduit bender is probably your best cheapest way.

 

[rjwoodrome]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

the down side of the conduit bender is, it will have a slightly larger radius than the ratchet bender. generally, Ive only been bending conduit since "86" still kinda new at it. lol

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

I used a hydralic pipe bender to fabricate 1" aluminum for railings, but the bender cost me $200 CA. The conduit bender should work for 7/8 aluminum.

For all the time and effort spent a complete kit is only $117 from Rochford and has all the hardware.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/.../Bimini_Convertible_Top_(Boat_Kit)/index.html

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

I read your post one day too late. I was in Lindsay this morning and came back via Barrie. I have a 1/2" and 3/4" bender in the van. Could have stopped in. It was a light day.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Jeepman, appreciate the thought. Not in a position yet to do anything other than planning.

Bart Sr, what is considered high buck? Do you think the $180 (on sale for $80) unit might do the job or is that level of quality only suitable for soft walled tubing ?

Baileys, that price is only for the frame. Probably looking at another $200+ to have the fabric made to fit.

Looks like the conduit bender is the approach to take. Guess I'll practice on the cheap EMT before trying the expensive stuff.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Was that $80 for a ratchet bender or a lever bender??The ratchet type I saw (with google) started around $250.00(made by Ridgid).

That is a nice offer from Jeep Man.I would consider it training.

 

[Draft]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Yes the car tire was to hold the jig while I bent the tubing.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Will a single piece that you can purchase be long enough to do the job? If not and you have to join it in the middle anyway the bending part would be much easier to get exactly how you want it. Depending on how tall/wide you need it, the piece will need to be fairly long. Any electrician could whip that out in no time at all. The right guy might do it for a sixer, I would.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

I used a hydralic pipe bender to fabricate 1" aluminum for railings, but the bender cost me $200 CA. The conduit bender should work for 7/8 aluminum.

For all the time and effort spent a complete kit is only $117 from Rochford and has all the hardware.

http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/.../Bimini_Convertible_Top_(Boat_Kit)/index.html

Thats the easy smart way.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Tube bending for boat cover or bimini top

Jeepman, appreciate the thought. Not in a position yet to do anything other than planning.

Bart Sr, what is considered high buck? Do you think the $180 (on sale for $80) unit might do the job or is that level of quality only suitable for soft walled tubing ?

Baileys, that price is only for the frame. Probably looking at another $200+ to have the fabric made to fit.

Looks like the conduit bender is the approach to take. Guess I'll practice on the cheap EMT before trying the expensive stuff.

Conduit bender is pretty easy to use. There are marks on there to help you along. A little practice on EMT is a good idea.