Bending bimini tubing?

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

So I'm trying to modify my bimini to fit under my tower. Does anybody have a good way to bend the tubing?

I have some that I need to create a new bend, and on some other pieces, I need to decrease the angle of the bend.

bonsaitree · Outlaw Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 198

trying to decrease the angle of a bend already put in tubing is an extremely bad idea and will lead to serious strength problems. If you need to create some new bends look into an electrical conduit bender, you can ususally get a fairly cheap one at your local hardware store that should work find for bending any bimini tubing. That being said I don't know how big the tubing you're bending is, so it might not work for you.

Again, DON'T try to bend back a bend thats already been put in the tube....its just not a good idea.

wesgardner · Posted: Aug 17, 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

You ++MAY++ be able to just use a manual conduit bender....for small stuff like 3/4" tube - fill it with sand so it won't crumple...

wpcustoms · Criminal Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 94 City: Austin

Kraig you can't bend aluminum with a conduit bender

Juice75 · Outlaw Joined: 09 Jul 2004 Posts: 218 City: Austin

So how do I bend it? The tubing is 7/8". This bimini project was a lot easier in my head.

bonsaitree · Outlaw Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 198

7/8" is a pretty solid size. If you are adventurous and have access to a welder and some round bar and a torch you can weld some slugs to a plate in the shape of the bend you want, heat the bar and slowly bend it around the slugs. I'd just find something with a tubing bender and see what it would cost you to get the bends made. Try a muffler shop. I"m not sure they'll have the die to bend something that small but its worth a shot.

wpcustoms · Criminal Joined: 17 Mar 2003 Posts: 94 City: Austin