Building a DIY T-Top Frame For the Center Console Project Boat #26 

Please tell my wife! thanks for watchin and thanks for the kind words Barry

Thanks David. The T-Top has been problem free so far. Barry

Thanks DK That wonderful glow means progress! Barry

Instablaster.

Thanks Jack and you are quite welcome!

Jacob Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words! Barry

Thanks Wayne I have been looking around for a used one but they just aren’t many around. Barry

Thanks Kirk Glad you enjoyed! Barry

Thanks Man!

Thank you Sione! Kind words always welcome. Barry

Richard, you made an old man’s day. Thank you Barry

@@barrylukebuilds7894 , Barry most don’t realize it’s not about the hard work ! To do what you do you love bringing that boat back to life . The look on your face when you put her into the water now that’s money 👍😎

@@richardwolske2015 Lots of truth in your comment. Thanks again Barry

Thanks Buddy I have always been taught that pound per pound a tube shape gives you the most strength. Takes more time though! Barry

Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching. I will defiantly keep it in the back of my mind for the next time I pull out the old bender. Barry

Thanks Jon, Glad you enjoyed! Barry

Thank you Marty! Barry

CC Thanks for the Tip! Barry

Thanks again Efdal! Barry

Thank you Manny and thanks for the tip! Barry

Thanks Medic! Better than all the cheepos for sure Barry

Thanks man. My attention is way to short to even think about doing this again. Barry

Thanks for the tip. Barry

I like Uncle Skip! Thanks for taking the time to comment and thanks for the kind words. Barry

Blake Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind comment. No problem with the hardtop! Although the 3/4" conduit is soft in comparison to other types of pipes and tubes, bending a short piece by hand is pretty difficult. Keep your length reasonable, add in a curve, and I would be confidant you will have no problems. Barry

Thanks JDL! Lots of variables there. A good machine shop can do pretty much anything. But if your top requires too many changes to make it foldable it might be more cost effective to sell the one you have and buy one that has a foldable feature. Barry

It is aluminum ridged conduit available from all electrical supply houses and maybe the Home Depot’s. 1 1/2” main tubing and 1” and 3/4 for the rest. Good luck on your project!

Plamen Thanks for the kind words. I might have to disagree with you on aluminum welding. Pretty welds (stack of dimes) and welding very thin metal is TIG welded by very talented individuals. But I believe the majority of aluminum welding is done with MIG machines. Strength is no a problem. Barry

@@barrylukebuilds7894 thanks for the info. Ad I said I am not a professional by any means and that’s why asked you for your opinion and experience. You inspired me with your video and now I am starting to build t-top for my boat. For the structural elements did you use 1.5” pipe or 2” conduit? I am planning to use 1.5” alum pipe grade 6063 T6 bandable, do you think it’s a good idea? I can get them for 42$ for 20’ pipe.

@@plamenpetkov400 I used 1 1/2" pipe not 2" tube. The only tube I could find locally was crazy expensive. Sounds like you got a super deal but somebody smarter that me will have to help you with the pipe grades. I just don't know. Barry

@@barrylukebuilds7894 appreciate your help. Can’t wait to see the finished project.

Sam Sorry you are having bending issues. My guess is that the thin wall tubing you have is too ridged to bend without a mandrel. The aluminum conduit I used is very soft as it is designed to allow electricians to bend and thread it easily. It is probably not nearly as strong as what you have. Not sure what you could do except maybe heating the bending area to a few hundred degrees? Just a guess. Anyway thanks for the kind words and let us know what you worked out. Barry

Thanks for the quick reply and info. l will have go with it pre heated see if that improves things. Alternatively I was thinking of swapping the alloy stock I have to something more suitable. Do you know roughly how thick your aluminium conduit was? Im not sure where to source that in Sydney however might try get some alloy tube with the a similar wall thickness to test out. Cheers

@@Sam-yw5mv don’t have a micrometer here but roughly 1/4”. Ridged aluminum conduit should be available at most any electrical supply house. Barry

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you! And whatever that little thing on the end is. Barry

Nope, not going to break. It might bend, but it wont break.

It is a DC machine. Aluminum needs an AC machine to weld. Otherwise…

Thanks Kevin Rigid aluminum conduit should be a stock item at any electrical supply house Barry

Thank you!

Not sure the type of aluminum. But it sells nationwide as “ridged aluminum conduit “

You might be surprised what old folks can do!

Thanks!

We could add to all of the other words I murder, but … I can see by the spelling(another skill I struggle with), that you are correct, I have been saying it wrong for years. I will try to get it right next time but no guarantees. Thanks for watching and thanks for the kind words, Barry