Aluminum tubing

[Rob (IL)]

I want to build another straight shaft, but I always had spare tubing from old detectors. I know several guys have made the shafts using the lower Whites fiber shafts. So here is my question.

What was the ID of the aluminum tubing you used? I need to buy a 3ft piece on line. A good vender suggested would also be appreciated.

 

[hershey1]

Aircraft Spruce 1-800-861-3192 You may want 6061 T-6 tubing for your shaft.

 

[akbell]

I built mine from an old Echo Edger shaft. Cut the curved lower end off and scaled it fit my hand and heliarced to the shaft, just measure over all length and cut it.

 

[Harold in NC]

[size=large][/size]Hi Rob, well you might try west marine, they have bow railing and they have i think 8' lengths and inside dia, i think is 7/8.hh

 

[Rob (IL)]

Guys, thanks for the posts. What I need to know is what size ID do I need so the Whites lower fiber rods will telescope in it. The Whites rods are about .740. If I had an inside micrometer I would measure the ID of a Whites tube. I don't want to get a tube mailed and find it is too tight or too loose. I just thought some guys had done the mod before.

 

[gunsil]

Sounds pretty simple to me. If the white's lower rod OD is .740" you need an upper shaft with an ID of .750" which is exactly 3/4" and a commonly available ID. You can also get carbon fiber tubing online which is even lighter than aluminum, but more expensive. Hope this helps.

 

[Rob (IL)]

It does sound simple except the aluminum tubing guarantees the OD not the ID and warns they might not telescope.

 

[pecor]

Tent pole may also work. Jay

 

[finnfoto]

Simple way is head to lowes or home depot. Grab a painters shaft, Has a cam lock in the center extension. super cheap and works like a charm

 

[tvr]

I've used onlinemetals with good results.

6061 aluminum tube. OD of 0.875 with a nominal ID of 0.759. Have used that for a couple set ups but have not used one of the Whites lower rods for the ones I've built. I also picked up some of the 0.75 OD tube and used that for a splice for "travel rods". The 0.75 OD slides into the 0.875 OD nicely. I have not had problems with the tubes not sliding together. They specify the tolerance on the wall thickness as plus or minus 0.004. If you do get two tubes at the wrong ends of the tolerances, they could be tight; but so far I have not had that problem.
Cheers,
tvr

 

[Rob (IL)]

Great info TVR.

 

[coinjumper]

If you need to put a curve in it, a brass 3/4 45 degree elbow fitting fits perfectly, about 2.50 ea. lowes or depot

 

[Tom Slick]

You can use Aluminum crutches available cheap at most any thrift store or Good Will.

 

[Rob (IL)]

Guys I'm good now but busy. I've got the info on the tubing I need. I put straight shafts on my detectors except my modded SE. I'm changing that one.