Where to find 5/8" square aluminum tubing 0.035" wall or thereabouts

Ken Gracey

Hey all,

You're probably familiar with my quadcopter build log and the fact that we've been using round tubes. Nearly every quadcopter out there seems to use square tubes unless they're using carbon fiber, in which case they use round booms. I can understand why the quadcopter builders prefer square tubing after making several of these myself. I'm not convinced that I should be using square tubing - when you show people square and round they point to round as their preferred design. At least it's this way with the people I've pitched our design [while holding a sexy quadcopter made with round tubes].

But I need to build a quadcopter with square tubing. Since I can hardly get involved in any project without thinking about production capabilities I need to find the tubing source. I'm seeing 1/2" and 3/4", but no 5/8". Wall size would be less than 1/16" - ideally around 0.035". I've been to McMaster, OnLine Metals, Speedy Metals, and our industrial supplier Coast Aluminum.

Where or where does one find 5/8" AL6061 or AL6063 square aluminum tubing with thin walls?

I've googled, I've gaggled, and I've about given up! But I know it's out there! Anybody?

Thanks,

Ken Gracey

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

Think metric, maybe? 15mm (0.59") square aluminum tube is commonplace, according to Google -- but not in the U.S. Would you be buying enough to make it worth importing?

-Phil

Franklin

Perhaps here http://www.factorysteel.com/aluminum-angles-bars-channels-pipe.htm#tubing

Cluso99

In Australia I used the 1" sq 0.060" (25x25x1.5mm) from Bunnings. They also have the "+" plastic joiners that make assembly a breeze. Of course, the frame weighs quite a bit.

I haven't searched the aluminium suppliers here though.

sylvie369

With your permission, I'll repost your request over on The Rocketry Forum. There are a lot of guys there who know this kind of thing.

Propability

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Square-Tubing-5-8-X5-8-X-045-X-96-Long-/250807272250

P.S. In a crunch 3/4 thick wall can be milled down to 5/8.

Paul K.

Give these guys a call.
I had them make me custom thin wall spacers for 2-56 screws in several lengths.
They make all the tubes/bar/wire displays that you see in hardware stores and hobby shops.
I'm sure they might even make a specific tube if the quantity is there,
http://ksmetals.com/products.html

Paul

Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)

5/8" square tube, .062" wall:

http://www.extrude-a-trim.com/shopdisplayproducts_main.asp?id=10&cat=SQUARE+TUBE&catm=Hollow%20Tube
http://www.bonlalum.com/Login/SlsMfg/standard_shapes_display.jsp

5/8" square tube, .055" wall:

http://www.hydro.com/pagefiles/31505/Monett_Standard_Shapes.pdf

5/8" square tube, .050" wall:

http://www.hydro.com/pagefiles/31505/phoenix_ss_linked_jan_2010.pdf

5/8" square tube, .045" wall:

http://www.coltwell.com/square_tubing.html

Another possibility:

http://www.reliablesourcemetals.com/standard_distribution_items.html

'Had better luck searching "extrusions" than for "tube".

-Phil

Cats92

Hello,

I found aluminium square tubing (15*15 mm * 1 mmm thick wall) in DIY stores (Leroy_Merlin or Castorama) in France.

They are produced by a German Society which sells all over Europe , Great britain and Mexico : ALFER

Here is a link : http://www.alfer.com/fr/accueil.html

Jean Paul

LoopyByteloose

http://www.thomasnet.com/

This is a complete industrial index for North America (or USA). You should be able to find just about anything you need in it.

http://www.thomasnet.com/productsearch/results.html?what=aluminum+square+tubing&cov=

http://www.thomasnet.com/productsearch/results.html?what=aluminum+tubing+square&cov=

http://www.thomasnet.com/productsearch/results.html?what=aluminum+tubing&cov=

ajward

Found this on eBay this morning....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aluminum-Square-Tubing-5-8-X5-8-X-045-X-96-Long-/250807272250#ht_584wt_1091

Ken Gracey

Thanks Phil and ajward. I think your two suggestions will work the best for me and I appreciate the time given to the question.

Yours,

Ken Gracey

ajward

Ken Gracey wrote: »

Thanks Phil and ajward. I think your two suggestions will work the best for me and I appreciate the time given to the question.

Yours,

Ken Gracey

Glad I could help. Was looking for a bit of aluminum for a project myself.

Amanda

sidecar-racer

A little after the question, but have you looked at Spruce Aircraft? I use them for carbon fibre and aluminum bits. Very reasonable and quick.
Rick Murray