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Tips & Techniques

Duct-Crimping in a Pinch

Issue 178

I own a perfectly good pair of hand crimpers that are great for a carpenter’s occasional need to fuss with ductwork or downspouts. And, of course, the crimpers were safe and sound back in my shop when I needed to customize a range hood the other day. There was no metalworker on the job to bail me out, but I did have my trusty pair of needle-nose pliers in my toolbox. As shown in the drawing,  I used them to put V-shaped crimps around the duct. Just a slight twist every 1/2 in. or so gave me a crimped duct that snugged right into its fitting.

Bill Pinkham, Richmond, CA

Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller

From Fine Homebuilding #178

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