Spinnaker pole end bent - how to correct?

[MagicalArmchair]

I'm not sure how or when it happened, however, the stainless end of my spinny pole is bent.

Any ideas on how to bend this back? Use the spinny pole as leverage, put it in a vise, and lean hard? Or can a replacement end be sourced without remortgaging the ships hound?

 

[merlin3688]

The end looks to be a Seasure end, see link
https://www.sea-sure.co.uk/configproduct/spinnaker-pole-end-fit-50mm-od-tube
It may be possible to mend but if not guessing you could supply with any pole end that fits your tube.

 

[Billjratt]

is the piston 2 parts? if it doesn't unscrew I would use a big hammer and heavy vice to straighten it. You've got nothing to lose.
What happens when you take the keyring off with it bent? (but you need to get it in again once it's straight!)

 

[sarabande]

It looks as if you should be able to undo the split ring, then drift the sliding pin out with a bit persuasive force.

Don't loose the coil spring which will leap for freedom in the process.

There may be a question of re-heating and quenching the pin after bending but that's not in my knowledge area.

 

[SAMYL]

If you remove the 'keyring' bit you may find that the rod and spring will pull out.

If that is the case then straighten it in a vice and replace. You may have to bend the curved bit out of the way to get the rod in again but then bend it back afterwards. You can do that by clamping the curved bit in a vice and lean on the spinnaker pole to bend it.

 

[Daydream believer]

Remove the split ring & grip the thin end with some mole grips. Grip the other end & test to see if the thin part is screwed into the thick part. It is a long shot but if it is it will dismantle easier & you might then get an idea of how it was assembled.
On my old one it was in 2 parts plus the tube at the split ring end was a screwed plug that could be removed & the pin & spring could be removed from the opposite end from the gate.

 

[William_H]

I know what caused the bend. I have a similar frequent problem with my pole ends. If the pole is allowed to rise you lose control of it and in rising it will bend the pin on the snotter. (the ring on the mast that fitting attaches to). This happens if pole is twisted by the spin/sheet. We have even resorted to bending the fitting back again mid race. (just to explain I use these fittings and they bend at the attachment to the pole. https://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?item=80366&search123=80366&intAbsolutePage=1
As said for you, remove the key ring and draw out the plunger. Straighten the plunger or make a new one. I got something similar turned down from brass rod. good luck olewill

 

[MagicalArmchair]

Thank you all, I'll have a go at removing that pin and straitening the hook bit with some leverage!

 

[seumask]

I'd be tempted to use a big vice or a hammer along with an old nut as follows. Place nut over the bent piston end and with the other side of the pole ( with the large eye in the plate) opposite and the piston aligned correctly by twisting it to the correct angle, by placing a small bolt in the split pin hole, squeeze the nut that is over the piston against the edge of the plate opposite, with either the vice or hammer blows.
This method may allow you to bend only the bent piston without bending other bits out of the way and back again.
Good luck!

 

[MagicalArmchair]

That curved bit is already quite bent (it bent at the same time as the pin), so if it needs a slight nudge out of the way I'm not too worried. I'll remove the pin and try and squeeze it straight in my metal working vise, alternatively I'll wail on it with a hammer (few things in this world can't by wailing on them with a hammer... )... I'll then take my vise down to the yard, bolt it onto a cradle, and use the pole to lever the hook straight again... fingers crossed!

Thanks for the responses all.