DC ducting - elbow grease?

[Mike Pierson]

OK - I am starting my ducting install to my super gorilla - what is the secret to twisting the 90 degree elbows? (ductwork is from oneida).

the directions make is sound so easy...does it just come down to patience, finesse, and "elbow grease"?

[glenn bradley]

Not clear on your question. Twisting as in getting it into position at the right angle?

[Mike Pierson]

the elbows I have are the 0-90degree from oneida - I need to twist the various sections to get the correct bend coming out of the wye, but struggling to get the various section to twist/move to create a <90degree bend in the elbow.

[Clay Crocker]

I went through the same experience when I ran my DC ducting. Some elbows were worse than others; some joints in the same elbow were worse than others. I did find that if I held one end of an elbow and then knocked the oposite end flat against a piece of wood on my workbench that I could get some joints to loosen up a bit. Mostly it took a lot of "elbow grease" and "finesse".

Clay

[glenn bradley]

the elbows I have are the 0-90degree from oneida - I need to twist the various sections to get the correct bend coming out of the wye, but struggling to get the various section to twist/move to create a <90degree bend in the elbow.

Ah, now I'm with you and Clay has the method. Wear heavy gloves; avoids surprises.

[Jim Becker]

Some of them are indeed "tight" from the manufacturer...it just takes a bit of time and gentle persuasion...and wear gloves. The edges can be quite sharp when you're working on them hard like this.

[Fred Voorhees]

Mike, I had the same situation. Here is what I did and it worked pretty good. I got a large pair of dishwashing gloves. Put them on and try to twist the elbows into the position you would like. It worked for me pretty good. The gloves really grip the metal of the elbows. Try it. Trust me,this IS your answer.

[Randy Denby]

rubber gloves and wd-40 on the seams..... also, the oenida 90's are pretty substantial metal, so you shouldnt have an problems, but the regular light weight HVAC 90's can be busted fairly easily so be careful.

[Steve Kohn]

I had one elbow that no matter what I tried I couldn't get it to move. Finally I took a strap wrench and looped it around the section that was stuck and it moved easily.

It all has to do with leverage.

[Jim Becker]

I had one elbow that no matter what I tried I couldn't get it to move. Finally I took a strap wrench and looped it around the section that was stuck and it moved easily.

It all has to do with leverage.

Now there's an excellent idea and reminder! Thanks, Steve!

[Steven Wilson]

I'll second the strap wrench and I used some 3in1 oil to loosen some of the joints up

[Ben Grunow]

I have seen duct guys screw a short piece of duct work to a bench and screw the elbow to be adjusted to it so they can work with both hands. Then unscrew and install (zip screws-holes to be caulked or foil taped)

[Josiah Bartlett]

Usually if they are hard to move, they've been squished to oval shape. Make them round again and they should be fine.