You have to ream out the fittings a lil for the EMT to fit, I used a Dremel tool and a cutting bit

 

Simple solution. All U need is a Dremel tool with a cylinder shaped sanding attachment. Evenly sand the inside of the 7/8 hardware. With little effort the 3/4 EMT will fit. I am in the process of building the same blind. You will also benefit from using a 3/4 EMT conduit bender. Any other bender will crimp the EMT. I have sanded all my hardware but I havent started putting the blind together yet. Good luck.

 

Dremel tool with a sanding drum on medium speed, if you get it too fast it will melt the plastic, just ream until you get a good snug fit.

 

I'm also going to be building an EMT blind using bimini hardware. From reading other posts, another option is to use a heat gun to expand the bimini hardware so that the EMT will fit snugly. I'm going the heat gun route because I know I'd sand off way to much using a dremel and would end up with a less than snug fit.

Good luck with your blind and post pix as you get started!

 

I used the same hardware on my last boat. If you don't want to ream it out then get a cheap heat gun and heat it up. It will expand and slip on. It's prolly easier to do than reaming it. Just be careful you don't melt it.

 

I'm also going to be building an EMT blind using bimini hardware. From reading other posts, another option is to use a heat gun to expand the bimini hardware so that the EMT will fit snugly. I'm going the heat gun route because I know I'd sand off way to much using a dremel and would end up with a less than snug fit.

Good luck with your blind and post pix as you get started!

You would be surprised how little material is removed using a dremel tool, I had the same fears and the first one I did I was sure that I had removed way more material than I actually had when I tried it after the first pass and it would not even go on. The only issue I have found with using a heat gun is the plastic can get brittle after it cools and I am afraid that will lead to premature cracking of the fitting.

 

you can use a dremel or the heat gun method. i had access to a lathe at work and we used that. Went quickly and very accurate once it was set up. but you are on the right track 7/8" hardware on the 3/4" EMT...you don't need to shave much, but take a little off at a time and keep trying the fit.

 

One other thing I just thought about....with the heating method it causes the plastic to expand, which means it will contract when it cools so it will fit very tight on the conduit and it won't come out. With the reaming method you are trying to make a slip fit, so if it slips on it will slip off also. I have not done the reaming method so if I am wrong someone chime in.

 

Well, the hardware does have a set screw that's usually enuff, but if not can be removed and a longer one installed.

 

One other thing I just thought about....with the heating method it causes the plastic to expand, which means it will contract when it cools so it will fit very tight on the conduit and it won't come out. With the reaming method you are trying to make a slip fit, so if it slips on it will slip off also. I have not done the reaming method so if I am wrong someone chime in.

Mine fit nice and tight, I drilled through the set screw hole and used a SS 10/24 bolt with a lock washer and nylon lock nut to make sure everything stayed together tight. This is probably overkill but I don't want to have things come apart at 0 dark 30.

 

One other thing I just thought about....with the heating method it causes the plastic to expand, which means it will contract when it cools so it will fit very tight on the conduit and it won't come out. With the reaming method you are trying to make a slip fit, so if it slips on it will slip off also. I have not done the reaming method so if I am wrong someone chime in.

I used heat on mine. We put heat on the bimini hardware and at the same time the EMT. It slid right on, and almost seemed to have "welded" together. It makes a very strong fit.