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Subject Topic: Bent steel tent pole DIY repair help pls
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PersonStewzzr
via mobile 24/2/2023 at 3:06pm
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Hi I have been given a tent. Vango Colombia 400 2009 vintage. It has some very bent steel poles.
I contacted Vango no spares available.
I'm thinking the only way to bend it back would be to heat it near melting point. To prevent it splitting.
Has anyone tried this before.
Thanks
Stew





Post last edited on 24/02/2023 15:10:59

Post last edited on 24/02/2023 15:27:42


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PersonMrWez
24/2/2023 at 3:23pm
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I had a pole bend back when we had a trailer tent, our works workshop straightened it out for me, considerable heat was required and I recalled they filled the pole with sand, it helped it retain its shape and not crack.

As I presented the bent pole to them then received the repaired pole back a week later in exchange for a slab of beer for their teabar, I didn't actually see the job being done.


PersonStewzzr
via mobile 24/2/2023 at 3:28pm
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Thanks for the update


Personmartin734
24/2/2023 at 4:31pm
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You won't need to get it anywhere near melting point. You will only need to heat it until it starts to glow red at about 400 degrees Celsius. A simple propane or butane blowtorch should be able to do this quite easily. You need to gently pull it back into shape while making sure the metal stays red and you need to ensure that the creased area is kept at a fairly even temperature all around the circumference of the pole.


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PersonStewzzr
via mobile 24/2/2023 at 7:01pm
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Thanks unfortunately the crease had already started ripping. It tore out completely. We have found some pipe that's almost an exact fit in the tube. We tried to solder weld it. But the lead would not flow. Trying JB weld overnight. It's a learning cerve for me an my son. 🤞


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Personseanfdh
24/2/2023 at 7:18pm
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If that doesn't work for you you could try https://www.tentspares.co.uk/
Ring them if you can't see what you need.

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Sean


PersonErnie DB
24/2/2023 at 7:40pm
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If you haven't come across it all ready there is a video of the Columbia 400 on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-9e1zBD2IY

About 50 seconds in it shows the poles laid out on the ground. May help you decide which need straightening and which don't.

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PersonAncient Uncle
24/2/2023 at 11:45pm
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Thanks unfortunately the crease had already started ripping. It tore out completely. We have found some pipe that's almost an exact fit in the tube. We tried to solder weld it. But the lead would not flow. Trying JB weld overnight. It's a learning cerve for me an my son. 🤞

You will not be able to use lead solder.

I suggest you clean up to remove the plating and then use silver solder with the correct flux and a good gas blow lamp.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIKQ-FL96uU


PersonStewzzr
via mobile 25/2/2023 at 3:42pm
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PersonStewzzr
via mobile 25/2/2023 at 3:47pm
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Thanks for all the help / suggestions
We went with the JB weld it seems quite strong.
Fingers crossed.


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PersonAncient Uncle
25/2/2023 at 5:29pm
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It will br interesting to know how successful this repair proves over a period of time/use.


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PersonStewzzr
via mobile 11/4/2023 at 5:03pm
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Hi all,
The tent is up in the garden. For about 5 days now. It has been windy and rainy. The repaired poles have held up ok so far 🤞🤞. Can't upload pictures I'm on the 10 limit. When I tried to upload. 🙂


PersonStewzzr
via mobile 11/4/2023 at 5:03pm
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PersonFiona W
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Quote: Originally posted by Stewzzr on 11/4/2023
Hi all,
Can't upload pictures I'm on the 10 limit. When I tried to upload. 🙂


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PersonSGThomas
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I don't know which side of London you live, but we have used Camping & General on Canvey Island. They have bins of random tent/awning poles in their showroom. It saved us a fortune when a Cabanon pole got squashed


PersonStewzzr
via mobile 13/4/2023 at 12:53pm
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Thanks will check out the shop, when down that way.



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