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Bent batten tubes

  • 15 Aug 2011 18:28
    Quote
    Reply # 676859 on 675575
    Anonymous member
    I had another look at the 'bent' tubes today. When I place them on a long tabletop and roll them the ends describe small orbits approx 6mm off centre; however just the slightest hand pressure is needed to totally straighten the tubes when viewed from the end, so I'd imagine when strapped in place on the sail much the same thing will happen, and the 'do nowt' policy is probably the wisest one.
  • 14 Aug 2011 12:33
    Quote
    Reply # 675921 on 675575
    Anonymous member
    I remember being told years ago that to avoid the tube buckling you should fill it with sand and stop up the ends before trying to straighten it.  Actually I have never had to do it and so don't know if it does actually help, but it seems to make some sense and sounds as if at least it would do no extra harm.  jds
  • 13 Aug 2011 23:52
    Quote
    Reply # 675653 on 675575
    Anonymous member
    Jerry Stebbing wrote:This afternoon I unwrapped the bundle of 5 metre lengths of 35 x 1.6mm aluminium tube I'd purchased a few weeks ago for use as battens. After cutting them to length (3.3 metres) I noticed that each tube had a very, very slight bend; possibly incurred on their trip in a rather crowded delivery van across England. Is this likely to be a problem when I come to install them on my sail or will the batten pockets/lashings/hoops combined with the weight of the sail straighten things out naturally?

    I could have a go at gently persuading the tubes back to full straightness but I don't want to risk overdoing it and end up with a pile of buckled metal.
    Without knowing exactly how much bend there is, I'm inclined to say "If in doubt, do nowt". If you want to try straightening the tubes, avoid using anything hard as a fulcrum - a dent is very detrimental. Support the ends on something soft, and bear down in the middle with your hands wide apart.
  • 13 Aug 2011 19:34
    Quote
    Message # 675575
    Anonymous member
    This afternoon I unwrapped the bundle of 5 metre lengths of 35 x 1.6mm aluminium tube I'd purchased a few weeks ago for use as battens. After cutting them to length (3.3 metres) I noticed that each tube had a very, very slight bend; possibly incurred on their trip in a rather crowded delivery van across England. Is this likely to be a problem when I come to install them on my sail or will the batten pockets/lashings/hoops combined with the weight of the sail straighten things out naturally?

    I could have a go at gently persuading the tubes back to full straightness but I don't want to risk overdoing it and end up with a pile of buckled metal.
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