bimini tube crimp

[shonuff]

I'm modifying the bimini that came with my boat. The previous owner never used it, probably because it doesn't fit. The bimini frame interferes with the speakers on the tower so I'm having to shorten the legs to lower the canopy.

The tubing is aluminum and has stainless steel internal eye ends. I've already cut out the eye ends and they're ready to be reused after I shorten the tubing. Does anyone know how to crimp the aluminum tubing around the internal eye? Basically there's a groove in the internal eye and the tubing is crimped into the groove. I was wondering if one of those copper pipe cutters would be able to crimp the aluminum or if it would immediately start cutting before crimping.

Thanks!

[Chris4x4Gill2]

I've never messed with an internal eye on one, but external pieces that fit with a set screw are easy to install and only cost a couple bucks.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Ok, I had to pull up a picture of an internal to really understand what you are looking at. I'd try a pair of round jaw vise grips or channel locks. Wrap the pipe in a rag so it doesnt get teeth mark / scratches on it.

[shonuff]

Yeah they look like this except mine are stainless.



I need a single crimp ring around the tubing. I'm not sure I understand how channel locks or a vise grip would crime a single ring around the tubing. Can you explain?

Thanks

[shonuff]

Here's what the crimp looks like for an internal eye end.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

In the picture I looked at I thought the entire diamerter was relieved above where the "ring" is. Your idea with the pipe cutters may be close then. Dont some of those have repaceable blades? if so maybe reverse the blade so its a dull edge instead of the sharp cutting edge.

[bhectus]

I wouldn't try to crimp it on your own unless you have the proper tool. Why not just drill a small hole and put a small self-tapping screw through it? Or take to local canvas shop and have them do the crimps for you? I can't imagine they would charge you much for that.

[Lvnspeed]

or rivit it on.

[ski4evr]

The closest thing you will get to a factory crimp is from a press tool like I use on electrical connectors. If you know an industrial electrician or someone at the electric utility, they will have one that works. Mine did.

[shonuff]

My eye ends are stainless steel so drilling them to use a screw or rivet would've meant me buying a carbide drill bit and taking it slow.

I got the tubes crimped last night. First I tried using a pipe cutter like I mentioned before. I replaced the cutting blade with a steel washer hoping it would crimp the tube instead of cut it. It didn't work, it put a good indention into the tube but wasn't strong enough to crimp it. I ended up using the pipe cutter to cut a starter ring as a guide. Then I used a wire coat hanger and laid the wire on the starter cut. I tapped the wire with a hammer working my way around the tube which put a nice crimp all around it. I read about someone else using a coat hanger online so I gave it a try. It turned out really nice and saved me from breaking bits trying to drill stainless steel.

ski4evr- good call on the industrial electrician crimp. I should have thought of that since I work with electricians who probably have a crimping tool that would work. Oh well, its all done now.

[Chris4x4Gill2]

Interesting method, I doubt I would hafve thought to try something like that. Glad you got it done.