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Fibreglass pole emergency repair
DavidM - 18/8/09 at 10:24 PM

I've managed to split one of my fibreglass tent poles down the middle lengthwise. I need to repair it as although I've ordered another one, it may not arrive in time.

So what's the best off the shelf adhesive to use to repair the split?

David

blakep82 - 18/8/09 at 10:26 PM

gaffer tape

DavidM - 18/8/09 at 10:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
gaffer tape


Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried that and it stretches when I bend the pole letting the split open up again.

David

stevebubs - 18/8/09 at 10:31 PM

replace with a bit of bamboo?

Staple balls - 18/8/09 at 10:32 PM

I'd try Araldite (not sure if it'd react, can be iffy with some plastics) Then brace it with some fibre tape.


Or just find a bit of pipe that'd fit snugly over the existing pole.

iscmatt - 18/8/09 at 10:35 PM

can you buy a small fibreglass kit from your local motorsave and put some extra layers on it?

twybrow - 18/8/09 at 10:35 PM

You wont find a glue that can stick that. It is such a tiny contact area, and you then want to bend it! If you do decide to try, I would go for an epoxy.

Have you tried your local tent/outdoor shops? They stock standard legnth replacements.

MikeR - 18/8/09 at 10:37 PM

did you put one length of gaffer tape along hte seam of the split?

If so try wrapping it round and keep lots of tension when you do it. Maybe glue it first. Then leave it 24 hours and try again.

Also make a note of where the split is and try to use the pole so the split is at the bottom of the bend.

(this is all guess work but its what i'd try)

Chippy - 18/8/09 at 10:56 PM

Try your local Plumbing supplies, they do plastic pipe, either 1/2", or 3/4" which will bend "fairly" easy and should get you out of trouble. HTH Ray

blakep82 - 18/8/09 at 11:12 PM

quote:
Originally posted by DavidM
quote:
Originally posted by blakep82
gaffer tape


Thanks for the suggestion, but I tried that and it stretches when I bend the pole letting the split open up again.

David


not even if you wrap the whole pole with it? (or at least 1ft or so) as said the contact patch it too small for any kind of glue. theres 'davids fastglass' repair kits, but they're expensive and messy, and may not be much better

DavidM - 18/8/09 at 11:25 PM

I'm not sure I explained the split properly.

Instead of having one round pole 520mm long, I have two 'D' shaped pole 520mm long.

David

dhutch - 18/8/09 at 11:26 PM

I was going to say, try local camping/outdoor place for stock lenghts. You have to cut and retie the elastic but its not a awfull job.

Otherwise, tempary bodge, you do want the gaffatape, but get a splint of somthing to tape along side the pole. Aluminum angle, wood, tentpegs, etc.


Daniel

prawnabie - 18/8/09 at 11:36 PM

Take some viagra before you go to bed?

blakep82 - 18/8/09 at 11:41 PM

ah, right i get it

ok, what about some small tie wraps at each end to stop the tape splitting?

or tie wraps every 15cm or so?

Volvorsport - 18/8/09 at 11:41 PM

b+q sell fibreglass poles by the metre , not sure if its applicable to your dilemma

locoboy - 19/8/09 at 06:27 AM

I did exactly the same, thankfully my tent came with a spare pole!

I alaldited the split then it wrapped it in gaffer tape.

rgrs - 19/8/09 at 06:45 AM

Temp repairs are normally made using an alloy sleeve and epoxy, but they dont last for long...

Roger

Andi - 19/8/09 at 07:54 AM

A bit different to your problem but a few years ago whilst setting up the tent one of my rods split but only about 15" long.
I wrapped it in army boot laces as a temporary measure.
Its still there now.
Im kinda glad we have MOT`s every year on our cars