Where To Find Aluminium Tubing?

kayheem · Post by **kayheem** » Fri May 11, 2007 11:20 pm

Hi all,

I bought over Meng Lee's 80mm objective and cell.

Now, where do I find short lengths (about 600mm) of aluminium tubing in Singapore to build the structure?

Thanks!

Kay Heem

hommel · Post by **hommel** » Sat May 12, 2007 12:25 am

Besides finding the exact diameter, you have to thread it and also fabricate a dew shield too, what about internal buffles?

Maybe you can try

http://www.liancheong.com/

mrngbss · Post by **mrngbss** » Sat May 12, 2007 8:57 am

Arief has a vendor who can fabricate customised parts. but the hardwork is that you need to give them measurements.

Alternative is to make a wooden tube (squarish) it is much easier to make, but at the expense of size and appearance

Post by **acc** » Sat May 12, 2007 10:43 am

What about using plastic pipes?

kayheem · Post by **kayheem** » Sat May 12, 2007 11:17 am

acc wrote:What about using plastic pipes?

Did consider, but not so easy to get a straight section. Lacks the 'cool' factor.

I think it is easier to machine/cut a straight section from aluminium.

Does anyone have contacts to get the tube structure (minus the optics) for 80mm F6 refractir?

Kay Heem

anat · Post by **anat** » Sat May 12, 2007 12:08 pm

Vixen A80SS would also be an alternative for the DIY project.

Barry · Post by **Barry** » Sun May 13, 2007 9:31 pm

100mm outside diameter aluminium pipe with a 3mm wall thickness is a standard tube stock at most major aluminium suppliers. You could as them if they have a fabrication department where you could get some off-cuts.

Alternatively, ask them who their buyers are, then approach those buyers for offcuts.

Lastly, you can always get flat aluminium bar, and bend it around something to make two halves, then fold the ends in a vice to drill holes in and poke a couple of bolts through. There are so many attractive alternatives.

Approach this problem with an attitude, that there are so many ways you can do it! Think outside the box and find a way!!! It ALWAYS works for me.

Baz.

A.S.I.G.N. Observatory
Canberra, A.C.T.
http://www.aussiepeople.com.au/asignobservatory

kayheem · Post by **kayheem** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:04 pm

Thanks Barry, for your thoughts. I do not have access to a vise or drills. I think I will stick to looking for stock aluminium tubes.

Post by **acc** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:43 pm

Heh Kay Heem you have access to surgical saws and such?

With those I guess you can make a precision cut heh heh

mrngbss · Post by **mrngbss** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:45 pm

precision cut at where?? (not the metal tubings..) hehehe.