Ameristep Blind Repair Help

[mjplewak]

Anyone have experience with repairing/replacing the tent poles/rods of Ameristep Ground Blinds (or any ground blind)?

Ameristep doesn't ship replacement parts to Canada and I have two broken rods as a result of the last snow storm. The best idea I have is to buy fiberglass chimney rods and cut them down...but that is $$$$$.

https://www.amazon.ca/Imperial-Mfg-Br0187-Chimney-Brushes/dp/B0015FNFOM/ref=sr_1_12?crid=UHJKAW84DSG8&keywords=fiberglass+chimney+rod&qid=1672960002&sprefix=fiberglass+chimney+rod%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-12

[Sitkaspruce]

Go pick up a couple driveway markers that are the same size. Like these

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/nuvue-driveway-marker-with-reflective-top-6-pk-yellow-46-in-0203890p.html?ds_rl=1283573&ds_rl=1283573&gclid=CjwKCAiAh9qdBhAOEiwAvxIok2k1XiUkmTVqkt9orbCb KgMuMPgVEqnesl94C3MGQpLIRS8ZrKEBOxoCHbgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=363

You can either heat or drill out the old posts, then measure as close as you can to proper length and cut the markers to fit in the hubs. Glue them in. Have done this until a moose destroyed one of mine that became my repair tent.

Also, measure your hub height and cut a wood doweling or I just cut a sapling to prop up the tent when not in it. Protects the blind from collapsing in the snow

Cheers

SS

[ekul246]

You can also use the tent pole replacement kit, also by drilling out the holes.
https://www.amazon.ca/Coghlans-Fibreglass-Tent-Pole-Repair/dp/B00O5VUHHQ
I haven’t done it yet for mine but a friend did it last year and worked well.
Two poles broke on mine and I had a support bar inside. It didn’t collapse. The weight of two feet of snow broke the poles

[358mag]

Go pick up a couple driveway markers that are the same size. Like these

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/nuvue-driveway-marker-with-reflective-top-6-pk-yellow-46-in-0203890p.html?ds_rl=1283573&ds_rl=1283573&gclid=CjwKCAiAh9qdBhAOEiwAvxIok2k1XiUkmTVqkt9orbCb KgMuMPgVEqnesl94C3MGQpLIRS8ZrKEBOxoCHbgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=363

You can either heat or drill out the old posts, then measure as close as you can to proper length and cut the markers to fit in the hubs. Glue them in. Have done this until a moose destroyed one of mine that became my repair tent.

Also, measure your hub height and cut a wood doweling or I just cut a sapling to prop up the tent when not in it. Protects the blind from collapsing in the snow

Cheers

SS


^^^^^^^^X2^^^^^^^^^^^^
Also the white fiberglass post that ranchers use on there electric fences works great too

[BRvalley]

any fibreglass tent pole will work, for the hub tents they are typically the 11mm diameter...my local surplus herbies has spare eskimo ice tent poles, including the hub piece, if you don't want to heat/drill out the old rod....might be worth checking if you have a herbies locally

gotta be careful with some shit on amazon, that coghlans tent pole kit is $12 locally vs $33 in that link above

[mjplewak]

Great ideas guys! Thank you kindly. :lol:

[ekul246]

^^^^^^^^X2^^^^^^^^^^^^
Also the white fiberglass post that ranchers use on there electric fences works great too
What are they called and where are they available?

[ekul246]

You can also use the tent pole replacement kit, also by drilling out the holes.
https://www.amazon.ca/Coghlans-Fibreglass-Tent-Pole-Repair/dp/B00O5VUHHQ
I haven’t done it yet for mine but a friend did it last year and worked well.
Two poles broke on mine and I had a support bar inside. It didn’t collapse. The weight of two feet of snow broke the poles
Cabela’s has this kit for $10.49. In stock in store but out of stock online. I guess everyone is fixing their blinds lol

[358mag]

What are they called and where are they available?

Found mine at local cattle feed supply shop . Try Buckerfields

[ekul246]

You can also use the tent pole replacement kit, also by drilling out the holes.
https://www.amazon.ca/Coghlans-Fibreglass-Tent-Pole-Repair/dp/B00O5VUHHQ
I haven’t done it yet for mine but a friend did it last year and worked well.
Two poles broke on mine and I had a support bar inside. It didn’t collapse. The weight of two feet of snow broke the poles
I just finished repairing mine with this kit. I took step my step pictures that I will post

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I’ve used fibreglass rods for chimney cleaning also from Can tire. Worked perfectly for my carnivore blind

[Stone Sheep Steve]

I’ve used fibreglass rods for chimney cleaning also from Can tire. Worked perfectly for my carnivore blind

Here’s what I used.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/imperial-flexible-fiberglass-chimney-brush-rod-1-5-m-yellow-0644107p.html

Just used a cutoff saw to remove ends.
But holy eff! I swear they went up a lot since a year ago.

[ekul246]

Here was my repair process:
This is my Cabela's The Zonz ground blind.
https://i.imgur.com/xw8xmbD.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/ZNA0QBn.jpgThese are the two broken poles.
https://i.imgur.com/qQnaQ2L.jpg

Take off this locknut to expose the ends of the poles. https://i.imgur.com/P6RiRrR.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/25jJ6Xz.jpg

[ekul246]

These are the complete broken poles with end pieceshttps://i.imgur.com/jC2pp6T.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/Oa5gZFL.jpg
New poles laying next to broken poleshttps://i.imgur.com/iLGc3Kh.jpgI measured the unbroken poles to be 41" at the lugs which hold the poles into the centre piece of the hub and allow them to pivot.https://i.imgur.com/JcHmfRl.jpg

Drill out the ends of the broken poles from the end pieces.https://i.imgur.com/MxPZjcJ.jpg

[ekul246]

https://i.imgur.com/29o8GtW.jpg

Measure the inside of the end piece to the lug rod inside with a kebab stick and a sharpie. Mine measured 1"https://i.imgur.com/lLcCa4T.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/iX1o3Sq.jpg

Measured broken poles at 37" and cut.https://i.imgur.com/0bhR31y.jpg

Put metal sleeve which is attached to the new pole on to the now cut end of the broken pole and measure from bottom of broken pole, past the sleeve, and mark on the new pole for 41"https://i.imgur.com/NPwKzud.jpg

[ekul246]

Mark on the now cut new pole 1" for when the end piece is hammered on so that the completed pole will be the right lengthhttps://i.imgur.com/AFCq0gg.jpg

End piece is fully hammered on to new pole and won't come off.https://i.imgur.com/5DpO0zf.jpg

Completed poleshttps://i.imgur.com/yjEsIyk.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/lsJSJ05.jpg

Fully installed repaired poles
https://i.imgur.com/UvLzbda.jpg

Hope this is clear as mud and can help somebody. Very quick and easy repair.
Obviously, your measurements may vary depending on brand and model of blind. But the same basic steps should still work

[ekul246]

I wanted the repair to be done closer to the centre of the hub because I believe they will experience less flex. The closer to the centre of the pole, the more flexing it will receive; more likely to break again, bend the sleeve or come apart. So far so good. Nice and solid and I have no fear of it coming apart in the field