Rigging Time

[Slippin In]

I FINALLY got to the rigging part of my build and have a few questions on material.
I have the old rusted out conduit rigging that was on the boat to use as a template, so I'm going to tackle it myself.
Plus from what I've heard all the builders in my area are swamped
I was going to go with S/S but I think I've settled on DOM for ease of welding and such.
Where can I purchase DOM in the West Palm area, and what wall thickness should I use?
Also where can I buy prerolled hoops for my cage?

[Gary S]

Schmidt airboat pats has them in conduit. I doubt you will find any in DOM.

[SWAMPHUNTER45]

I am no fabricator but have been involved in a few builds. One we bent over an old tractor tire the other was done in a homemade jig cut from plywood. Hope that helps if you cant find premade.

[unforgiven11B]

Almost all shops will bend you hoops. You can supply the DOM if the shop doesn’t carry it. If you don’t have a jig or a buddy with one call a few shops and ask. I know gto, DB and others have pre bent hoops in stock and or will bend to specs if you need a different width, material, wall thickness etc.

[hill]

Conduit is so thin its accually harder to weld than ss . You can lay into the ss more just more expensive and have to run a mix gas . I bent my hoops using my old cage for a jig works out good . If you build your first set out of conduit it's cheaper if you mess something up . And it's really not rocket science at all . Take your time and have fun with it . If you can do the conduit the stainless will even be easier . IMO . Conduit is much cheaper but if you have it powder coated ect... The price will get closer to just doing stainless . I'll just spray it with cheap spray paint and ride out hunt / ride boat no show stopper . Then just build another set when it gets ragged . Hope this helps . Or someone can chime in with a lot more knowledge than me .

[Gary S]

What do you use to bend the stainless?

[hdsadey]

First pic I used to roll the hoops, Harbor Freight tool. Second was used for the tight radius bends, Ercolina TB50 die bender. First one is cheap, second not so much!

[Gary S]

$8000 for the bender then another $1800 for dies. This is why i'm still using conduit.

[hdsadey]

I hear ya! Already owned the bender for another long term project, not to mention mine cost me 3k. If it wasn't for that I'd be using conduit!