Thin Rectangular Aluminum Tubing - Where to get it?

[DistressedNerd]

Hello,

I have been searching furiously for some place to buy small quantities of Thin Rectangular Aluminum Tubing. .5" x 1.5" rectangle ~1/32" thick. Identical to what you see this product made out of: Link

Any links to where I can buy this stuff online or a local business that might have it would be greatly appreciated!

"Everyone dies, but not everyone truly lives"

 

[MikeHalloran]

Smallparts.com used to be the source for stuff like you want, but now it comes up as part of Amazon, and the closest tube I could find was 3/4 x 1-1/2 x 1/8.

Given the adjustable joints, the arms of the exemplar product may be made of solid aluminum bar, which is not all that heavy. If you're going to CNC the arms, you can just add lightening holes, blind or through, to get the weight down.





Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[DistressedNerd]

It is very thin ~1/32" thick I have the product and have measured it with digital calibers. I can find roughly the external rectangular dimensions, but I can't find anything that thin.

 

[racookpe1978]

Look on-line. Metal Supermarkets, several others have "mail-to-you" direct.

In a "hobby" machining magazine, look for the advertisements in the back for metal supplies.

I have none with me out here, but a good Barnes and Nobles will have the magazines to look at.

 

[IFRs]

McMaster Carr has some 1/16" wall but not 1/2 x 1 1/2

 

[tbuelna]

I don't know what you mean by small quantities.

One option would be to use a larger rectangular tube with thick walls and machine it down.

Another option would be to have a custom die made to draw some tubing to the exact size you need. The cost of having a die made and making a minimum run of drawn aluminum tubing is not too bad. It would probably cost you less than $1K. Plus if you need more tubing later on, you already would have the tooling to produce it.

 

[Ron]

I agree with MikeHalloran......plus, 1/32" is awfully flimsy!