Has anyone ever successfully unbent an aluminum tent pole? I've read instructions for doing it. Most popular recommendation was to pack it with sand before rebending. Lots of people stated it can't be done as it will break.

The diameter of the pole is about 3/8". It's not a sharp bend. It's more of an excessive curve in the center of a section that's a couple of feet long. I need to bend it back about one inch. One problem I'm having is how to hold it to bend it. I tried bending it against my knee and it won't budge. I tried holding it against a picnic table bench, no luck.

Any suggestions?

I would clamp one end in a vise, heat it up a bit and slowly try to work the kink back to normal-ish. I don't think you will ever get it even close to perfect, but serviceable should be doable.

If it doesnt go well maybe cut off the straight ends, and take it to an aluminum shop like Spring Creek and ask them if they can weld those end pieces inside of a slightly larger new middle section?

Is it a common tent? I wouldn’t be surprised if someone here has a spare. I know I have some poles from worn out old tents. Maybe you could start a new thread with that question.

Fritty

Tent Pole Technologies

+++ on Tent Pole Technologies - I've dealt with them on a few bent pole sections and had great service and very reasonable pricing.

I also like Fritty's suggestion. I have a collection of old tent poles saved from worn out tents.

Not sure where you live, but I had great luck at REI in Bloomington, MN.
I took in my broken pole and one that was the correct length and we had a replacement in a few minutes. They used a small pipe cutter to cut it to the right length and I was on my way.

As a Boy Scout quartermaster for many years, I've had success straightening pole bends by using a Workmate table. The grooves in the jaws of the table hold poles nicely. Tightening the jaws can lessen a bend. However, usually you will need to clamp the pole and tweak by hand. Experience will teach you how much pressure you can safely apply. Don't expect perfection.

sns: " Tent Pole Technologies "

Oh my...I think I might be replacing some fiberglass tent polls with aluminum now.

Look up Easton arrows, they make arrows but also make your tent poles out of them. They come in different thicknesses so get the correct size.

A bent tent pole will bend and break again at the worst time, when you really need it. Don’t bend buy new.

Savage Voyageur: "A bent tent pole will bend and break again at the worst time, when you really need it. Don’t bend buy new. "

I didn't even think of that, excellent point.