Bending Alluminium masts

connel42 · 01-02-2012 09:15PM #1

Yes I know the usual problem is how to take a bend out of a mast but I have a couple of mirror dinghy masts that I need to bend for a frame.
I know heat doesn't work so had anyone suggestions apart from brute force.
I don't want to kink them and the bend is fairly gentle but has to be even.

davlacey · 01-02-2012 09:32PM

you could rent or get a lend of a pipe benders. aluminum is fairly soft so it they willl bend easy just get the right size former http://hirehere.ie/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=404

orion50 · 01-02-2012 10:02PM

All you are doing is an over-size version of what a steel fixer does, so apply the same principles - set up a (was going to say little) jig using strong reinforcing bars to jam the mast in place while you rotate the part you want to bend to a set position. Do the same thing with the next one and adjust the jig to get the required bend. No brute force just steady pressure. Easy.

fergal.b · 02-02-2012 08:14AM

To bend it without kinking it you will need a long spring to fit inside the pipe nice and snug, lower it down the pipe to where you want to bend it with a bit of string so you can pull it back out then, draw your bend onto a block of wood and cut it out and fix it to your gig "flat bit of wood":D place your tubing on one side and hold it in place with another block of wood and start to bend don't try to bend from the middle or it will kink.

The springs look like this but as you are bending a mast you might find it hard to get one to fit so maybe if you tape 3 or 5 of them together it might work. You can get these in B&Q or any plumbing shop but I think they only go up to 32mm if you are not too far off with that you can put some flexible clear plastic tubing over the spring to give you a few more mm.

Best of luck.

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Bending Alluminium masts

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