joining conduit

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Hi,Can someone tell me what the name of the tool is that crimps conduit like in older tent pole setups so that the 2 sections can slide into each other?  I know that I can use an expander and go that root but I would still like to know what tool it is that crimps the metal.Neil
Reply:There's usually a sleve in the mix so that they can both slide into that...What are you trying to do?
Reply:in my shop, and I have use it to crimp certain sizes of conduit to make a slip fit.  although sometimes it doesn't fit as nicely as I like it too.  an expander would be a better option.  If you let us know the application maybe we could reccomend a better option.  Good luck  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I'm going to make a weather enclosure for a small tractor for plowing the driveway in the winter.  I have a friend that did auto upholstery for 30 years that is going to sew up the vinyl for the enclosure as well as the vinyl window.  I want to make the bows out of conduit and wanted to slip the 2 sections into each other without a bulge appearing in the middle as an expander would make.Neil
Reply:I found something that will work instead of expanding the tubing.  It is a male to male pipe union.Neil
Reply:Originally Posted by fallon416I found something that will work instead of expanding the tubing.  It is a male to male pipe union.Neil
Reply:I think the pipe union is a good way to go- the actual tool to crimp down the conduit, usually called "swaging" in industry, if you want it even and smooth, is not a home shop solution. It is a pretty big punch press or hydraulic press, with an expensive tool.These guys make tooling to do it, for a variety of presses- http://www.vogeltool.com/parts.htmlNext step up is a rotary swaging machine, which will hit the conduit from many sides at once. Like these-http://finnpower.co.uk/This is a factory job, for mass production. Cheap and easy solution, though- cut a hardwood dowel to fit inside the conduit- say, 8" long. pound it 4" into one piece of conduit, then drill and countersink so you can screw it in with a wood screw. Then it slips into the other piece of conduit, or slips out again. Might need a bit of sanding, and then wax, on the part of the dowel you want to slide in and out.
Reply:my steel supplier sells that stuff .  also theres a salvage yard i go to that always has tons of it cheap. Ive also seen it at home depotBTS Welding