Any one have a source for flat oval tubing?

[Iciclehead]

Joys of life.

Got the parts I need for my front cross-brace from McMaster-Carr, figured that there would be no problem finding flat oval tubing here in Calgary. Well, it sucks. Phoned about 8 suppliers, none of them have it, carry it or are interested in it. They'd be happy to order it if I want several hundred feet of the stuff, but since I need about 10 feet, no joy.

Checked all over the web looking at racing supplies, aircraft construction and so forth. No one seems to sell it.

Checked with a couple US steel manufacturers who carry it, but again, they either don't do retail at all, or want a large order or both.

So, does anyone know where to get this stuff? Ideal dimensions for me are 30 mm x 16mm, wall thickness around 1 mm or 1.5 mm. Needs to be steel (I will be welding it).

Let me know...I promise to post pictures of the construction on my 6 speed thread...

Thanks!

Dennis

[nota]

Cut up an existing bike

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by nota

Cut up an existing bike

Its an idea, both my bikes are round tubing unfortunately....but I will check around for web sites catering to bike construction....

Thanks

Dennis

[island911]

4130 STREAMLINE TUBING from Aircraft Spruce Canada

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by island911

4130 STREAMLINE TUBING from Aircraft Spruce Canada

Saw that stuff, in a pinch it would do, ideally I would prefer this shape...



Thanks...

Dennis

[island911]

oops, I saw aircraft and bicycle and assumed aluminum. --what are you making?

anyway, try Amazon

[pksystems]

Why do you need oval tubing? Front cross brace.. Is that a strut tower bar?

I used round dom tubing/rod ends for my homemade removable front strut bar. I made 2, and triangulated them.

Picked it up from metal supermarkets. God are they overpriced.

[stealthn]

Flat oval tubing - oximoron come on Dennis I expect more from you

Look in the classifieds for welders, call then and ask them where they would source the flat yet oval stuff

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by stealthn

Flat oval tubing - oximoron come on Dennis I expect more from you

Look in the classifieds for welders, call then and ask them where they would source the flat yet oval stuff

Hey Bob, that is actually the correct technical name for the stuff. There is round oval (what you and I think of as oval) and then there is the shape as listed. Oxymoronic I agree, but that is its name.

I checked out metal suppliers here, I will try welders as well....

Thanks

Dennis

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by island911

oops, I saw aircraft and bicycle and assumed aluminum. --what are you making?

anyway, try Amazon

I am chasing this down as we speak...never thought about Amazon and it didn't come up for me with Google.....

Thanks!

Dennis

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by pksystems

Why do you need oval tubing? Front cross brace.. Is that a strut tower bar?

I used round dom tubing/rod ends for my homemade removable front strut bar. I made 2, and triangulated them.

Picked it up from metal supermarkets. God are they overpriced.

Yes, that is the idea, but I want to make one that follows the interior hood outline as close as practical, can be easily lifted to put in luggage and leaves room for my golf clubs. I may only be able to gain a few mm of vertical space, but my trusty Porsche golf bag (whole other story) barely fits in my '75....

Intent is to make the latitudinal brace heim joints serve as the pivot for hinging the "X" portion.

A little nutty and anal I know, but what the heck, this is a retirement hobby.

Dennis

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by island911

oops, I saw aircraft and bicycle and assumed aluminum. --what are you making?

anyway, try Amazon

Crap, won't ship to Canada. Amazon.ca does not carry it.....

Dennis

[Joe Bob]

Find someone who accept it in the US then reship it.

When I was making a trailer hitch I found a few metal tubing internet companies that shipped small quantities of odd sizes.

[$ Short]

Burns stainless
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[pksystems]

Any updates?

[Iciclehead]

Yes, much checking, but no real luck. One Canadian based outfit was willing to front stainless (not my preferred option) for $30/ft plus shipping...which is just a little silly.

Ended up I will just be patient. Plenty of places in the UK and Europe sell it in small lots, I will buy it next time I go home and then just check it as baggage (longest length is about 1.2m)

Very surprising, but no other options have come up.

Dennis

[M.D. Holloway]

Dennis - if you want the stuff on Amazon USA let me know. I'll buy it and ship it to you and worn charge a fee. Just cover the costs (in USD no loonies!)

[intakexhaust]

Are you seriously looking at some closet / coat hangar material?

Try a custom bike builder - motorcycle and / or bicycle (BMX - tandems). Some may refer to it as 'floval' 4130 CrMo. Look up some custom builder and call a shop foreman.

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by intakexhaust

Are you seriously looking at some closet / coat hangar material?

Try a custom bike builder - motorcycle and / or bicycle (BMX - tandems). Some may refer to it as 'floval' 4130 CrMo. Look up some custom builder and call a shop foreman.

Well, tubing is tubing, I must admit some worry about it in terms of specification.

I have called several hot rod building kind of places in my area, they knew what it was and all, but didn't stock it and weren't really interested in getting some in just to resell to me.

I remain amazed, considering how many places I called in the US and Canada how had this stuff is to get. Odd part is, there are several places in the UK that advertise shipments within the EU, cut to length, several specs. I will be back home in Holland several times in the next year so it ought to be pretty straightforward. One of those trips may be to a wedding in the UK, might even just drop in and pick it up.

Thanks for all your help though....

Dennis

[Iciclehead]

Originally Posted by M.D. Holloway

Dennis - if you want the stuff on Amazon USA let me know. I'll buy it and ship it to you and worn charge a fee. Just cover the costs (in USD no loonies!)

Seriously...thank you so much for your kind offer, I could well take you up on it if the other option I am pursuing doesn't work out.

You are a great guy....really, really appreciate the offer.

Dennis