How to Downsize your Hula Hoop
Help my hoop is too big!
Ok! Sometimes you outgrow your hula hoop or you don't need quite as big a hula hoop as you ordered. Don't worry downsizing a hula hoop isn't too difficult.
How you downsize depends on the tools you have/can borrow. Normally people can access/borrow a drill and little saw/cutters but getting your hands on a rivet gun is more difficult so we have a way around it if you want resize and don't want to invest in hoop making hardware!.
If you need detailed photos of the hoop making/resizing process check our How to make a hula hoop page.
I have a few hoop making tools/ I can borrow some tools.
Basically you are cutting a bit off and drilling a new push button hole.
You will need to borrow a drill and drill bit and pipe cutters/small saw.
1) Decide what diameter you actually want your hula hoop to be. Multiply this number by 3.142 to give you the circumference you need.
2) Measure your existing hoop starting at the connector (measure from the side with the rivet in it around the hoop towards the push button) and mark the point of the new circumference on the tubing.
3) Where you marked the new circumference on the hoop use the pipe cutters to cut the tubing to size.
4) Push in the push button and remove the off cut. Measure the distance from the edge to the hoop connection to the centre of the push button. Reconnect the hoop by pushing the button down and pushing the connector into the end you just cut.
5) This is the fiddly bit, you need to drill a hole the same size as your push button in the same position as the old hole. (we use 5mm drill bits for small buttons and 8mm drill bits for large buttons). Use the measurement you made in 4) to mark where you think it should go. I normally then open it again and line the ends up beside each other and eye ball if to make sure it looks right. Basically it's partial careful measurement and partial eyeballing!! If we have a choice we'd rather use the method below and remove and replace the rivet cos the hole doesn't need to be so precise but this way totally works as long as you are careful.
6) Connect the hoop. You did it YAY!
If all of this still seems like way too much hassle you can return your hoop to us to resize but you would have to cover the shipping both ways.
I have all the tools to make a hula hoop:
This way has more steps but it's way easier to be precise!
Drill, Pipe cutters, Rivet gun, measuring tape, Drill bit (we use 3.5mm), rivets (3.2 x 10mm).
1) Decide what diameter you actually want your hula hoop to be. Multiply this number by 3.142 to give you the circumference you need.
2) Measure your existing hoop starting at the connector (measure from the side with the push button in it) and mark the point of the new circumference on the tubing.
3) Remove the rivet from the hoop - Place the drill bit into the rivet hole and drill through the rivet. Open the hoop and tip out the little metal rivet bit. Be careful you are drilling through metal so if you have eye protection, wear it.
4) Find where you marked the new circumference on the hoop and using the pipe cutters cut the tubing to size.
5) Reconnect the hoop and drill a new rivet hole as close to the old one as possible
6) Re rivet the hoop and you are good to go!
Remember: If you need detailed photos of the hoop making/resizing process check our How to make a hula hoop page.
