Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

[dannieboiz]

I was strolling along home depot and foud some of these tubes they're extremely cheap compared to the other marine grade stainless tubes. I'm thinking of getting some to make an extension to my hard top. Something like what these guyare doing but for a fraction of the cost since I have access to a welding shop and benders and a commercial sewing machine that we recently used to make a full canvas for my old boat.

They have 'em in 1/2", 3/4", 1" and up to 2". However most marine fittings that I find are 7/8" does anyone know where to find fittings that may do the trick?

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

If your going to weld and bend, you should not need too many fittings.
Maybe none.
You wont be welding the conduit to the existing hardtop frame, right?
They also make aluminum conduit tubing, not as cheap as the steel and heavier like pipe.

But you need to see the pdf specs on EMT conduit (the thin hand bendable steel type you referenced in your post) as it is not really the outside diameter it claims to be.

http://www.atcelectrical.com/literature/pdf/ATC-L-1748_Emt.pdf

 

[dannieboiz]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

What I'm thinking is some sort of clamp that would allow me to run 1 set of tube along the top of the hard top and then find a tube with the same outside diameter as the inside diameter of the tube on the hard top this would allow me to slide the extender in and out to put away. If the tube is too weak, I can always add an extra length of tube from the center down towards the gunnel to support the rear using bimini fittings for quick removals.

What material would you recommend using to make this frame? I have left over sunbrella fabric and especially how simple the design is, I'd be stupid to spend 400 bucks on buying it. LOL

It would be easier to replace the frabic if I used 90 degrees fittings as you can see in this photo here it just simply rolls up to put away. At the same time, using fittings would be cleaner looking IMO

 

[lkbum]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

For things of this nature McMaster Carr is probably the best supply house on the planet. I use them in a R&D business for almost everything know to man.
Link - www.mcmaster.com You can order by phone or internet and they take credit cards. You might want to look at alternatives to the conduit you are looking at. Frankly, that is pretty nasty stuff. McMaster carries virtually every stainless, aluminum and polymer tube/fitting there is.

 

[Dead Horse]

Re: Galvanized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

Re: Galvanized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

welding galvanized creates chlorine gas- very bad to breath-- grind the Calv. off be for welding -- take my word for this - or do a goggle search on welding galvanize pipe

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

Why not just use aluminum tubing instead of SS?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

They are extremely cheap for a reason. I poor-boyed an awning for my RV about 20 years ago. Instead of buying a Sunsetter, I made one myself using conduit like that. I used 3/4" for the mains and 1/2" to bridge some wide open areas. If you go that route, you just buy the galvanized conduit fittings from HD.

After 15 years of 24/7/365 they are spotty rust all over and look like heck. But IMHO, even brand new they would look like heck on a boat, unless it was a work boat covered with machinery.

When I did some bimini work on my boat I didn't want to spend the bucks for SS, so I got high polish aluminum instead. Still looks nice.

 

[dannieboiz]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

good call on McMaster didn't realize they have it.

What type of aluminum do you guys recommend using? Looks like the two choices are 2024 and 6061 which is said to be more corrosion resistance.

Steel is probably a bad choice anyways since it's heavy. Aluminum would be lighter and more corrosion resistance..

If I can get away with no welding I'd rather use all fittings.

for fittings, this is what I figure I'll need.
2 x 90 degrees
4 x rail fittings to mount the two outside rails
that would pretty much be all I need.

 

[dannieboiz]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

got it all figured out! This where I bought all of my canvas supply and once again they have what I need! SHWEEEET!
http://www.rochfordsupply.com/shop/Boating_and_Marine/Tubing/Drawn_Aluminum_Tubing/index.html

The 3/4" tube would fit inside a 7/8 tube (which is perfect cause the fittings are this size)
they only sell them in increments of 20ft so I'm going to have a few extra feet for other projects.

What's cooler is they sell the clams as seen in this picture which is used to stop the top from sliding. I'm probably going to use that mainly to lock the pole in position while stored but will drill a hole through the center of both tops and stick a bolt through it for strength. It would suck to have my cover fly off when I'm motoring.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

We're gonna want to see pics of this when you build it.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

No matter what aluminum, make sure you use aluminum that has been anodized.

Saltwater and 2024 or 6061 aluminum don't get along. Both materials are alloyed with copper and magnesium which are highly reactive to saltwater. A 5XXX series aluminum, anodized or not, would be a much better material for the job.

 

[dannieboiz]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

No matter what aluminum, make sure you use aluminum that has been anodized.

Saltwater and 2024 or 6061 aluminum don't get along. Both materials are alloyed with copper and magnesium which are highly reactive to saltwater. A 5XXX series aluminum, anodized or not, would be a much better material for the job.

The aluminum are 6463-T832 anodized and guess what? POLISHED! So it'll look good while covering the shade. Shipping is like $35 bucks ounch!

I would much rather do this, but man that looks like it's gonna be a lot of work and expensive. I haven't even gotten the boat wet yet since I bought it and I'm spending a bunch of money on upgrades already.

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

Is the shipping that much even if you have them make a few cuts in the right spots?
To get the length down below the premium excessive length penalty?

 

[Dead Horse]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

i would not be buying materials untill you get the boat -- good to plan but you need the boat to get the right materials--

 

[Comoxsam]

Re: Galvenized conduit tube for shade extender for Hard top?

No matter what aluminum, make sure you use aluminum that has been anodized.

Saltwater and 2024 or 6061 aluminum don't get along. Both materials are alloyed with copper and magnesium which are highly reactive to saltwater. A 5XXX series aluminum, anodized or not, would be a much better material for the job.

I agree about the 2024 however 6061 seems to be one of the alloys most commonly used for aluminum boats.

http://www.keytometals.com/Article99.htm