dgadee
Well-Known Member
There surely must be a technique to straighten a bend at the bottom? Put a solid rod in the bottom and bend the tubing back to shape in a press? Or what? Heat?
Bent stanchion?
- Thread starter dgadee
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greeny
Well-Known Member
Had one of mine straightened using heat in the workshop. As you said, a solid rod in the bottom helped to pull it straight. It was never quite 100% straight though. I could always see a slight difference between that one and all the others. Eventually I had to buy a new one because it was annoying me that much.
thinwater
Well-Known Member
Depending on the bend ...
- A solid rod is good. A pipe over, with a tape wrap to prevent scratching works just as well.
- Same wit the other end. Or a block of wood with a drilled hole.
MontyMariner
Well-Known Member
Some years back one of mine got bent backwards by a French boat coming alongside.
I put a loop of rope from the top of the bent stanchion to the base of the one forward and used it as a Spanish windlass to straighten the bent one.
I put a loop of rope from the top of the bent stanchion to the base of the one forward and used it as a Spanish windlass to straighten the bent one.
Poignard
Well-Known Member
If the stanchions are simply lengths of s.s. tube it's not difficult to make a new one.
ProDave
Well-Known Member
I straightened one once. It really does take a lot of force to bend them (back) and it was beyond what you could achieve with a standard vice on a wooden bench (it would probably have ripped the vice off the bench)
I used an old pipe stand / clamp inherited from my father who was a plumber. It is the sort of thing you used to clamp steep pipe in for threading it. That was strong enough to clamp the end of the stanchion near the bend and then bend it back to where it needed to be. Some heat helped.
That is the only time I have used that and prior to it's use I was considering taking it for scrap. It has proved the theory of never throw away something that might be useful, so it now resides covered in dust and cobwebs in the back of the shed for "next time"
I used an old pipe stand / clamp inherited from my father who was a plumber. It is the sort of thing you used to clamp steep pipe in for threading it. That was strong enough to clamp the end of the stanchion near the bend and then bend it back to where it needed to be. Some heat helped.
That is the only time I have used that and prior to it's use I was considering taking it for scrap. It has proved the theory of never throw away something that might be useful, so it now resides covered in dust and cobwebs in the back of the shed for "next time"
greeny
Well-Known Member
Agree, and that's what I would have done, but a lot of stanchions nowadays are tapered tube unfortunately. OP doesn't say whether his are tapered or not.
dgadee
Well-Known Member
Yes, they are a more exotic shape than simple tubes.
I have access to a 20 ton press. That was what I was thinking of using. But it is such a common problem (or is it only me who is rubbish at mooring?) a way to do it really should have been found.
DownWest
Well-Known Member
I used a 20 ton press with semi-circular pads to support the tube, slight over-bend which relaxed to straight. Does depend if the tube is kinked or flattened, in that case, replace the section.
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
As Dawnwest said if the tubular stanchion is kinked the only is to replace the kinked section by cutting and welding in a new section of tube
A picture of the bend would help to recommend a way of repair
A picture of the bend would help to recommend a way of repair
dgadee
Well-Known Member
Just slight bends, not kinks. But enough to be really obvious.
BobnLesley
Well-Known Member
That was brave; I once saw the results of someone doing similar, they tore the stanchion base (of the bent one) off the toe rail.
I straightened one - also French yachted - with a vice, towel wrap and a length of scaffold tube.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Find a boat trailer in the yard with a hollow section & put the stanchion in that.You may need to pack it with wood & clamp it to stop it rotating. Then a scaffold tube or preferably a thick tube of smaller diameter, to get a better fit, over the end & apply pressure & some heat.
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Then go & buy a new one.
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Then go & buy a new one.
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Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
If I was going to try & bend one back in to place in situ, I would use a decent lorry ratchet strap hooked, not around another stanchion, but looped around the boat transom or bow. I would also try to rig a bit of 4*2 with a "V" cut in it braced to support the stanchion base as I started applying pressure.
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
I have a length of 1inch steel bar with 2 short lengths welded one end at right angles about 2 inches apart. I used it for bending reinforcing rods down on the top of pile caps. I have kept it for years as I have found it useful for bending a variety of metal parts.
If one can obtain a piece of steel & weld 2 stubs to it Then one can put some bits of wood in between stanchion & steel the prevent kink damage & bend the stanchion that way.
In this picture you can see me bending brass for my compass gimbals but the principle is the same
Just substitute stanchion for brass & clamp it & make a big bar to bend it
If one can obtain a piece of steel & weld 2 stubs to it Then one can put some bits of wood in between stanchion & steel the prevent kink damage & bend the stanchion that way.
In this picture you can see me bending brass for my compass gimbals but the principle is the same
Just substitute stanchion for brass & clamp it & make a big bar to bend it
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
If straightening a stanchion in place rips the stanchion off the toe Ral I would question the strength of the fixing to prevent a crew member from falling overboard due to stanchion breaking away from the deck edge
dgadee
Well-Known Member
I have one of these:
Pardon our interruption...
but not used it yet. It may offer leverage and the necessary tube support if I think about it.
Vevor tube bender in case the link doesn't work for you.
Pardon our interruption...
but not used it yet. It may offer leverage and the necessary tube support if I think about it.
Vevor tube bender in case the link doesn't work for you.
rogerthebodger
Well-Known Member
I have one of those that I used to bend 22 mm dia tube for my pram canopy
I needed to extend the handle for me to bend 22 mm 1.5 thk tube 90 degree.
Depends on the arrangement of the bend you may need to straighten the existing bend.
As you ca see bent straight tube never used it to straight bent tube
Daydream believer
Well-Known Member
Trouble with those benders (i have a more industrial version) they do not bend a bit right at the end. One needs a few inches on the bender to stop the wheel jumping off. The bend in the stanchion will be within an inch of the end where it enters the socket. Those benders will probably not straigten that bit. You might get away with putting a tight fitting tube as an insert inside to extend the tail but first you have to find the insert.
dgadee
Well-Known Member
My plan was to turn a piece of steel round to fit. Or - since I longer have my lathe - get it turned.
