Bending Poles?

**Out_to_lunch** · 10-29-2005, 01:39 PM

Is there any good way to bend ski poles back into the original shape (except for doing the opposite of what I did to bend them in the first place) without snapping them in half?

**bossass** · 10-29-2005, 01:40 PM

I don't know. I hope this helps.

**StormDay** · 10-29-2005, 01:49 PM

For metal poles, you can heat the pole to make it more malleable.

Note: It is probably not good to breathe the fumes from heated paint.

**LaramieSkiBum** · 10-29-2005, 02:00 PM

beat them against a tree, starting with small amounts of force and working up until you get them straight....

don't ever try and bend them by hand...knock them back into place by beating them...make the point of contact right at the bend or just before or after it....

**ole2planker** · 10-29-2005, 02:05 PM

My only real expertise is in bending straight poles into something resembling a pretzel. However, In spite of that, I suggest filling the pole with sand and using a pipe or tube bender to pull the pole back straight.

**ill-advised strategy** · 10-29-2005, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by StormDay

Note: It is probably not good to breathe the fumes from heated paint.

shyah! if you don't like getting a wicked buzz.

**m1e448** · 10-29-2005, 02:11 PM

just get some new $2.00 poles. or find some in the trash at your resort. or get carbons that don't bend and just snap and splinter

**rtp** · 10-29-2005, 03:37 PM

Get 2 2x4's and stick them in a vice. put the poles between the 2x4's and tighten the vice. This will get them straight enough to use again.

**phUnk** · 10-29-2005, 11:49 PM

Re-bending aluminum poles weakens them considerably. They are going to bend again much more easily than they bent the first time. (Not such a big deal if they are only slightly bent...)

**seanpistol** · 10-30-2005, 12:51 PM

use a pipe bender. a lot of people have them in the garage from doing plumbing or whatever... it's a pole with a rainbow shaped piece on top of it. you stick one end in the rainbow and bend it around. real simple.

**wanghoeby** · 10-30-2005, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by StormDay

For metal poles, you can heat the pole to make it more malleable.

Note: It is probably not good to breathe the fumes from heated paint.

I'm pretty sure thats gonna fuck up the properties of the steel, its gonna be way soft or really brittle depending upon what heat source you use. I'd say fuck new poles. I got a new set last season and put two dents in them on my first crash. Go with the ones from the 80's to 90's. Made out of thick steel. Rarely brake and when they do your out 5 bucks for a new set. Obviously carbon fiber solves the problem but with a hefty price too.