easier ways to get ducting on flanges?

I know this may seem like a stupid question, but I swear there has to be an easier way to get ducting on hoods.

Putting 8" ducting on an 8" hood inlet is like a 2 person job. Any tricks to make it easier? I know with rubber tubing onto fittings and whatnot dish soap makes it 10x easier, but the duct/flange doesnt seem to be difficult because of friction, just seems difficult because the sizes are almost exactly the same

i had another person help. do you got anyone that can help?

Haha. I remember holding it on on the top with my lip once while I slipped the bottom and sides on lmao. Now I use 8 to 6" reducers on both sides of my 8" reflector.

Ya I can get some help,

Lol@ the lip, I had spider hands going on last night. WTB stretchable ducting

How about trying to stretch the ducting a little over a pylon or something similaly tapered? U can also cut some parallel slices in the end of the duct to expand it a little?

Ilovebush said:

How about trying to stretch the ducting a little over a pylon or something similaly tapered? U can also cut some parallel slices in the end of the duct to expand it a little?

Click to expand...

this was a damn good idea, unfortunately i was having trouble even with tin snips breaking the damn metal wire in the duct (call me a weak bitch please)

anyway, i ended up using a screwdriver on the metal ring and forcing it on, made it a ton easier, i consistently put on 4 flanges

Ilovebush said:

How about trying to stretch the ducting a little over a pylon or something similaly tapered? U can also cut some parallel slices in the end of the duct to expand it a little?

Click to expand...

this is also what i do.. just cut a few slices on the end of the ducting, and yah, the metal rings in the ducting can be a real bear to cut at times for sure..

i never really thought about it... but yeah ducting can be a bitch. see how the DUcting is Spiraled? i find if the surfaces are clean if it twist when i put it on it goes on much easier

I think it might help if you pre-heat the flex in a minimum set oven, (@200* F), for 15 - 20 minutes.

Theoretically this would expand the metal rings inside the flex for a few minutes after removal from oven.
Fitted to a cold flange the flex should slip right on.

Where did you buy the flex? I noticed that a lot of the flex on ebay is sized wrong. I bought 6" on line and it was a bitch to put on, then I bought some more from my hydro shop and it was just a little bigger but it was a no brainer and slipped on with one hand.

I have since updated all my lines due to the same bullshit your talking about. Look around you'll find the good stuff.

Vaper

What? you are trying WAY to hard. you put Ducting on the same way you put on a bicycle tire. First get the begging of the metal ring on and then gor AROUND the spiral pushing the metal ring on as you go around.. it will slip on with ease at about 3 inches per push. the rest of the ducting will follow. It is not supposed to be as hard as you are making it. Stretching, heating, and all that is just silly. Ever tried putting on a bicycle tire the way you put on a hat? it wont work. ducting is not made to fit on that easily, you want it to be tight. if you cut the ducting with your wire snips you will have a piece of wire to begin with. I can install my ducting with one hand, so i know you are just trying to "bite" off too much at a time when you are slipping it on.