Poles Too Long or Too Short - Tarp Stretch

[johnnumbers]

I've been playing with poles too, ended up trimming some down to fit...
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Small pipe cutter, a deburring tool and a file (not shown) allows easy trimming.

[SteveE]

Lol I could have used a cutting tool. I did mine in the field with the saw and file on my Leatherman multi-tool.... not pretty but it worked ok...

[OneClick]

I used a file but not real comfortable with my work. I do need to smooth it out more.

[SteveE]

I added a couple layers of tape at the joints just to cover any potential jagged edges...feels smooth enough to my hands but you can tell I hacked at them with the wrong tool for the job

[LuvmyBonnet]

Nice work Steve. The tarp looks great. I also really enjoyed your pics from your photography pages too, some great stuff!
You should try to make it out to an EGL hang. There are other photo buffs in the group. I enjoy photography but don't have any high end equipment or training just what I consider an eye for pictures.
Cheers

[SteveE]

Nice work Steve. The tarp looks great. I also really enjoyed your pics from your photography pages too, some great stuff!
You should try to make it out to an EGL hang. There are other photo buffs in the group. I enjoy photography but don't have any high end equipment or training just what I consider an eye for pictures.
Cheers

Thanks a lot I appreciate the kind words!

[johnnumbers]

I will say for others choosing to do this: poles have a few different ways of attaching the shock cord. some are attached to the pole tips, some are attached to internal support that butts up against the reduction inserts (and the tips are press fit or spot welded in place). Know which you have before you attempt this, you may need to get a different type of tip to make it all work (I reduced the length on dutch's pole kit and swapped in the pole tips with cord attachment points for ones that are braced against the reduction sleeve portion.)

[SteveE]

So I finally had the chance to set up the tarp with the new pole extensions and it seems to have solved the problem and works really well! Not sure if I'll ever need the bottom 3 or 4 holes but I'll leave them on for now until I do a set up in each season here before I cut them shorter... It has totally solved the "S" shapes of the poles and allows me to add tension or remove tension on the tarp by moving the pole end up or down a hole...

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[Othello]

Glad to see the DIY solution held up in practice. Again, nice work! The first couple of grommets may well suit your every-season needs, but don't amputate until you know for sure.

[OneClick]

On mine I found I only need small wiggle room, literally half an inch max. So I finally cut my poles just a tad and everything is nice and tight; no loose fabric but no s-curved poles either.