Aircraft Supply and size for Aluminum shaft ?

[synthnut]

About a month or so ago, I got some info from someone on the sizing of the aluminum tubing that came from an aircraft supply house ........ I can't remember who gave me the info , and the sizing ....Could whoever it was please post or send me the info again ? ..... I'd loose my head if it wasn't attached to my shoulders !!.... ......Thanks for your help ....Jim

 

[hershey1]

synthnut: Go back to page 4 this forum Oct. 6,2010 ( Custom Excal Shafts ) errick is the man with the information you need. Hope this helps. HH

 

[OldBeechnut]

cost about 25 dollars, speedymetal on Ebay, Alum tube 7/8inch OD x .049 wall 6061 .................enough for 2 shafts

 

[hershey1]

I thought errick would be on here by now he must be busy. A place to compare prices is Aircraft Spruce.com 6061 T-6 aluminum tubing 7/8 X .049 size for Excals. 1-800-861-3192. Then go to a bicycle shop and get some handles I think they call them end bar handles, 1/4 inch drill bit for holes paint if you like.Get good quality paint or you are wasting your time. Good Luck. HH

 

[synthnut]

Thanks guys ....I found the Aircraft Spruce site that i bookmarked but couldn't remember the actual I.D. of the 7/8 size that I needed to get ...... I probably would have ordered the larger I.D. and had too much slop in the rod .... Thanks to all for the info ....It's appreciated ....Jim

PS...I bought 2- Whites Tall Man lower rods w/hardware when I ordered my 10 x 12 SEF coil .....They were on their way to me when I sold my Sovereign ..... It worked out PERFECTLY when I ended up buying that Excal and the older Sovereign ....Without even knowing that this deal was around the corner , my coil and rods were already on the way to me ....Some things just happen for a reason and this time everything worked out PERFECTLY !!.... I can now build a nice straight rod setup for both the Sovereign AND the Excal !!!.... Now all I have to do is get this Sovereign working !!....Jim

Does anyone know where to get those dohicky's that go inside of the tubing that your press in to slide the tubing ? ....Does anyone know the proper name for them, or where you can order tham or get them ? ......Thanks, Jim

 

[hershey1]

SPRING CLIPS part# 960-5002115 Kelly Co. If they don't have them let me know I keep a few around. HH

 

[JHM]

In order for paint to stay on aluminum, you have to use self-etching primer. Then any enamel will work. I get mine at dollar general

 

[synthnut]

Thanks again for the info guys ......I was measureing the I.D. of the 7/8 aluminum on the Sovereign ...and also the OD of the Whites Tall Man rod .....It apears that the 7/8 aluminum tubing with a wall of .058 might be a better fit ......The .049 wall tubing looks to have a LOT of slop according to the calipurs I measured with and they are pretty accurate .....??????....Has anyone gone to the .058 tubing and had a problem ? ..... I'm not doubting you guys ....I'm double checking to see if maybe the Whites rod is a little bit smaller in diameter than the Minelab lower rods ..../????????.....JIm

hershey1 ....Thanks for the tip and the offer ....Jim

 

[hershey1]

Could have been mistaken about the I.D. That tall man White's rod may have a different O.D also. When you have more than 1 detector I'm bad to forget stuff like sizes. Never argue with a good level or calipers. Let us know how your rods turn out. HH

 

[synthnut]

hershey1 ,

Joe had the same wall thickness as you, so it may very well be a common size to get for Minelab lower rods .... The Whites are quite a bit cheaper and just as nice and LONG for those Long Rod builds .....I'll check the OD of the Minelab rods and let you know ....The .049 wall thickness tubing will work fine ...I'm just looking for a REALLY TIGHT fit and I think that the ones I'm ordering will fit the bill ....We'll see ....It will be a $30 mistake if they don't work !!....LOL !!......Live and learn !!...... Jim

 

[erikk]

I thought errick would be on here by now he must be busy. A place to compare prices is Aircraft Spruce.com 6061 T-6 aluminum tubing 7/8 X .049 size for Excals. 1-800-861-3192. Then go to a bicycle shop and get some handles I think they call them end bar handles, 1/4 inch drill bit for holes paint if you like.Get good quality paint or you are wasting your time. Good Luck. HH

Yup, been busy but if U need any more info let me know

 

[erikk]

U get the tube at Aircraftspruce.com get 6061t6 7/8 OD .745 ID 4 feet @ $3.20 per foot #03 36450.Your lower shaft will measure .744 which makes for a very nice fit requiring no lock nuts. Go to a bike shop and get the long bar ends with the bend $19.95 a pair and pick up a package of foam grip covers (4) for $9.95. Use your arm cuff off your old S rod and the pods for templates to drill the 1/4 holes. Use 1 3/4 x 1/2 SS bolts if U can find them otherwise get 2 inch and grind them down. Use SS wing nuts on the pods and a SS/nylon lock nut on the cuff. I usually remove about 6 inches from the 4 ft length so I can put much more lower up in the tube for more strength
If U don't use the tubing from Aircraft spruce all bets are off
HH

 

[synthnut]

Erikk
The lower rod will slide OK with only .001 difference in diameter ? .....That sounds pretty darn close with no room at all for error .....Did you have to sand the lower rod to make it fit better ? ....Thanks, Jim

 

[erikk]

U want it snug so there is no wobble. I have shafts 4 3 excals, Infinium, Sea Hunter MK2 & Beach Hunter 300 all done with Aircraft spruce tubing (others have different ID's) All work fine

 

[synthnut]

Sounds good to me !!..... Snug as a bug in a rug works for me !!......Thanks, Jim

 

[GraveDiggerMax-VaBch-Va]

n/t

 

[synthnut]

Hey Max,
That BLUE handle is one I'd like to make for a machine that I bring to Jamaica with me !!....It reminds me of the waters down there !!....Where did you get that ? ......JIm

 

[Neil]

I bought the same rod material locally from our local servistar hardware store and the handle at the bike shop.

instead of those push pins that allow you to adjust the rod............try a small nylon bolt and wingnut if you dont adjust it much, like one you use on your coil.
it really takes little time to adjust if you have to and it keeps the wobble to a minimum on your rod.
on the minelab rod youve got to drill out one side of the lower rod to allow the bolt to pass through, whites and tesoro rods need no extra holes drilled. simple!

 

[plugger]

n/t

 

[synthnut]

Plugger,
Do you know of any shop that supplies anodized tubing on the net ? .....Thanks, Jim