Did considered one of your tent poles simply snap proper in the midst of your tenting journey?
Don’t pack to go house simply but!
A tent pole is a type of issues you’ll be able to simply restore, so long as you could have a number of issues at your disposal.
Today, I’ll present you many methods you’ll be able to restore your damaged tent poles. Let’s dive in!
How to Repair a Broken Tent Pole
Accidents occur, and while you’re tenting, it’s essential to be ready for them.
So in case your tent pole breaks, you need to a minimum of be capable of give it a fast repair that ought to final at some point of your journey.
Then, while you get house, you’ll have extra time to restore or substitute something that’s nonetheless damaged.
Here’s the great half – repairing a damaged tent pole isn’t rocket science.
Depending on the harm, you may not even must do an excessive amount of to it.
Now, let’s discuss every potential state of affairs and how one can cope with it most successfully.
Patching a Broken Tent Pole
In case there’s solely a small crack in your tent pole, then Bondic Liquid Welder or the same kind of liquid plastic can do the trick.
This kind of “glue” works on a easy precept: It is a liquid plastic that requires UV gentle to be cured.
It received’t harden till you do, regardless of how lengthy it’s been utilized for.
I like this “glue” for thus many issues, and patching up a tent pole is not any completely different.
The steps for this technique are fairly simple:
- Lay the pole down on a flat floor. If it’s barely bent across the crack, attempt straightening it up as a lot as you’ll be able to.
- Apply a tiny little bit of Bondic Liquid Welding to the crack to cowl it up.
- Cure the utilized glue with the UV gentle for 4 seconds.
- If crucial, you’ll be able to additional safe the pole by wrapping the cracked space with tape.
Now, although liquid plastic is extraordinarily sturdy, this isn’t a repair that can extend your tent pole’s life by a few years. While it ought to do the job for the following journey or two, you need to substitute it as quickly as potential.
Splinting a Broken Tent Pole
Now, in case your tent pole is totally damaged, there are two other ways you’ll be able to repair that:
- Using a pole restore sleeve
- Using a tent stake as a splint
Tent pole restore sleeves are superb, as they’re inexpensive and let you make a fast repair when you’re out within the wilderness.
But what should you don’t have one with you when the “accident” occurs?
Well, one factor that you just certainly have at hand can work for a makeshift splint – a tent stake.
In this part, we’ll cowl every technique.
Supplies you’ll want:
- Tent pole restore sleeve
- Gaffer’s tape or duct tape
- Wire cutters or pliers (non-compulsory)
- Tent stake or sturdy stick (in case you don’t have a restore sleeve)
Splinting utilizing a pole restore sleeve
A pole restore sleeve is a brief tube that’s only a tiny bit bigger in diameter than a daily tent pole.
That means, it may be utilized on high of it with out transferring round an excessive amount of.
Some tents characteristic a restore sleeve within the buy, whereas others don’t.
Still, you should buy a pole restore sleeve individually – they’re broadly accessible in outside gear shops and on-line.
Here’s what it’s essential to do:
- If the tent pole is bent however not fully damaged, lay it flat and take a look at straightening it to the unique form.
- If the pole is damaged, line up these sections.
- Slide the restore sleeve on the pole, all the best way till it covers the break. In case the half the place the pole is broken has splayed items, that is the place wire cutters or pliers turn out to be useful. You can crimp or bend inwards these items in an effort to slide the restore sleeve onto the break.
- Grab the tape and wrap it round every finish of the sleeve a number of instances. This ought to assist hold the restore sleeve in place.
Splinting utilizing a tent stake
Chances are you may not have a pole restore sleeve with you. I don’t blame you, as I used to do the identical again within the day.
So, when my pole broke, I needed to improvise. Well, the great factor is that you should use one thing you could have available, like a tent stake.
Alternatively, a sturdy stick will do as properly. But on condition that discovering such a powerful stick could be laborious, utilizing a stake is far more sensible.
Here’s what to do:
- Lay the tent pole (or line up its elements if the pole has fully snapped in half) on a flat floor. If potential, attempt straightening the bend as a lot as you’ll be able to.
- Grab a tent stake and align it in such a means that it’s centered subsequent to the half the place the pole broke.
- While holding it tight with one hand, seize a tape with one other and wrap the stake and pole a number of instances. You wish to make the wrap as tight as potential in order that it leaves no room for wiggling.
Replacing an Entire Pole Segment
While the earlier strategies provide fast and simple fixes while you’re out within the wilderness, you need to ultimately substitute the complete pole phase and make it nearly as good as new.
For this technique, you’ll want a substitute phase of the identical dimension as the unique pole. Some outside manufacturers make substitute elements for his or her tents, together with poles, however that’s not at all times the case.
Alternatively, you may be capable of discover a phase from different producers that’s the appropriate dimension and materials as your personal.
Today, many manufacturers provide common substitute pole segments. Just take into account that these come a bit longer in an effort to reduce them to dimension.
Supplies you’ll want:
- Felt-tipped marker
- Hacksaw
- Metal file or medium-grit sandpaper
- Contrasting tape (non-compulsory)
Here’s what to do:
- Measure your substitute pole phase in order that it matches the previous one in size.
- Line the place it’s essential to reduce the substitute phase with a pen or tape. I strongly recommend utilizing tape across the half the place you propose on chopping the pole, because it prevents cracking and splitting when you’re chopping via it.
- Grab a hacksaw and begin chopping. Be cautious when utilizing this instrument, as you’ll be able to harm your self if not cautious. Keep a reasonable stress when gliding the hacksaw over the chopping line.
- Once performed, seize a metallic file or sandpaper and begin smoothing out the sides of the brand new pole phase. You don’t must be very detailed, simply make sure that there aren’t any sharp edges that might harm the shock wire.
And there you could have it, good as new!
Installing a New Shock Cord
Finally, what in case your pole shock wire snaps while you’re tenting?
Well, should you’re cautious, you may be capable of put the tent pole segments collectively and hold the tent erect that means. But that’s no actual repair.
As quickly as you get house, it’s essential to substitute the shock wire with a brand new one.
Now, that is one thing you may must do each few years anyway, on condition that shock cords can lose elasticity over time from use.
And fortunately for you, the method is fast and simple.
Supplies you want:
- Replacement shock wire
- Sharp knife or scissors
- Steel washer (non-compulsory)
- Replacement pole phase (non-compulsory)
- Hacksaw (non-compulsory)
- File or sandpaper (non-compulsory)
- Felt-tipped marker (non-compulsory)
As you see, many of those provides are non-compulsory. You’ll want all of them provided that you’re additionally changing a pole phase whereas putting in a brand new shock wire.
And now, let’s get all the way down to enterprise. Here’s what it’s essential to do:
- Here’s find out how to substitute the shock wire:
- Lay down a tent pole on a flat floor.
- Grab a marker and label every part with numbers/letters to keep away from mixing them up.
- Grab the scissors and snip the previous shock wire on both finish.
- If any pole phase wants changing, that is while you wish to try this. For directions, comply with the tactic above.
- Lay down the previous shock wire subsequent to the brand new one and reduce it to match the size. If the previous wire misplaced elasticity, reduce the brand new one about 8 inches shorter.
- Tie one finish of the shock wire to a pole tip, whereas feeding the opposite finish via all pole sections except for the final one.
- Stretch the wire to increase the size whereas feeding via the final pole part. Tie the tip to the pole tip.
And there you could have it! Very simple and fast to do.
FAQs
What are the elements of a tent pole referred to as?
Parts of the tent pole are referred to as segments. Each pole has 4 or extra segments, relying on the dimensions of the tent.
How do you reconnect tent poles?
The shock wire is what retains the tent pole elements collectively. If your shock wire snaps or loses elasticity, you’ll have to switch the shock wire to maintain the poles working as they need to.
How does a tent pole splint work?
You want to make use of a tent sleeve or one thing sturdy and straight like a stick or an additional tent stake to maintain the pole elements in place whereas in use. If you don’t have a restore sleeve, a sturdy stick or a tent stake will do the job.
How do you straighten a bent tent pole?
You must be cautious when doing this in order that the pole doesn’t break in half.
If it’s solely barely bent, rolling a tent pole onto a flat floor ought to assist with straightening it again.
If it’s extra creased, then you definately’ll must make a splint to maintain it from bending again.
How tight ought to the tent pole shock wire be?
Tent pole shock cords must be actually tight. In normal, the wire be 25% shorter than the overall size of the pole in slack
To Sum Things Up
As you’ll be able to see, a damaged or bent tent pole is just not the tip of the world.
In most circumstances, you’ll be able to work out a fast repair when you’re nonetheless out tenting. Even with simply duct tape and a stick!
And as you get house, you’ll be able to simply substitute the broken half with just some instruments at your disposal.
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