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Tomcat
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06/30/2019 12:50PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
You can custom cut aluminum tent poles to increase strength, reduce weight, and reduce pack size.

Aluminum pole are relatively inexpensive and easy to custom cut and assemble. I used a $4 tube cutter and sandpaper to make my first set of custom poles. I now use a $30 mini miter saw and homemade gig.

 
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THEGrandRapids
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07/01/2019 10:29AM  
Where do you source the T6 7001 aluminum alloy poles?
 
07/01/2019 01:40PM  
Tomcat may use a different source, but I have been upgrading tent frames for a long time. Comfort in working with aluminum poles based on making my own arrows and for friends.
Quest Outfitters and Ebay are my sources.

Don't get hung on specific alloys a number of them will work fine strength and bend qualities are more influence by diameter and wall thickness for tubing.

butthead
 
07/01/2019 01:40PM  
OOPS double post.

butthead
 
THEGrandRapids
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07/01/2019 02:13PM  
Thanks for the reply.

I actually saw on another thread someone made a stand up fillet station... tied the cutting board to the tree and had two legs. Was going to try and make something like that. May use the legs for the tarp as well.
 
Tomcat
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07/01/2019 05:26PM  
THEGrandRapids: "Where do you source the T6 7001 aluminum alloy poles?"


Source from Amazon and Ebay most often but sometimes manufactures such as Therm-a-Rest offer closeout pricing. In general I pay $0.90 - $1.50 per pole section depending on diameter.

26 aluminum pole sections for $26.98
 
Tomcat
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08/28/2019 10:44AM  
 
wingnut
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08/28/2019 07:50PM  
Tomcat, where were you able to find the angled fittings on your aluminum poles?
 
Tomcat
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08/28/2019 10:06PM  
wingnut: "Tomcat, where were you able to find the angled fittings on your aluminum poles? "


Ebay.

150 degree aluminum tent pole angle connector

 
muddyfeet
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10/26/2019 10:15PM  
Ive made 3" radius bends in aluminum poles without kinks and without a mandrel bender.

First, chuck the pole in a drill and wrap bailing wire tightly around the section to be bent. Tape the ends of the wire tightly to the pole so it doesn't unwind itself.
Next, put masking tape over one end and fill the pole with table salt- then tape the other end closed. Bend it at room temperature around a suitable round object: log, paint can, beer bottle, etc.

A recent project used a tent pole as a coaming for a canoe spraydeck. It is light, removable, and flexible if it is crushed or bumped.
 
Tomcat
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10/27/2019 07:54AM  



Shower / Utility Tent

Towel Rod

 
Tomcat
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10/27/2019 08:04AM  


Original poles 15.0 lbs





Custom Poles 5.8 lbs




Guyline storage bag

Aluminum pole grommets

 
Tomcat
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10/27/2019 08:14AM  

Original 3.4 lbs

Custom 1.2 lbs

 
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