Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Hi CD,

Our team, FRC 1323, has been looking for 7075 3/8" Hex for a while and so has a few others:

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...highlight=7075

I know a few other teams in the area have been as well. Over the past 1-2 years we've had to use "oversized" 2011/2024/6061 for our applications. Most have failed or not been worth the hassle. We recently switched over to 12L14 Steel, while its pretty strong and cheap to buy. It does weight 3x as much as aluminum. So why not use 1/2" Hex?

So for the past year or so, I along with other mentors have called up at least over 50+ vendors that could possibly resale 7075 3/8" Hex. All have said either no we don't carry it or no we don't have it anymore. The latest supplier said there wasn't enough demand for them to carry it and it has slowly died out.

I found a local place that I go through that talked to their Aluminum Mill and was willing to do one large run for me. I was curious before I spent the time/money into buying it (3500FT), are there teams interested in buying it.

I'm not trying to spam CD, more or less I'd like to make this type of aluminum Hex way more readily available for FRC teams. As we have been looking for a while now. Its also a 3 month lead time item, so I'd like to have it well before the FRC Season.

Either post or PM or email if you'd be interested. It'll be sale via WCP and maybe AM if I can convince Andy. :p

Thanks,

-RC

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

We would definitely be up for some, seeing that currently we are using the 12L14 solution from McMaster.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

RC,

Count us in for some of this good stuff. We at AndyMark would be interested in 1,000 feet at least, depending on the price.

Sincerely,
Andy

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Thank you for thinking about this for the FRC community, RC. My team will probably want about ten feet or so.

I assume you mean undersized 3/8", so that it slides snugly into a broached hole, is that right?

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I can't say for sure, but if we get the chance, I'm sure my team will go for some.

- Sunny G.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

The Holy Cows would be interested in buying some as well.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

As the one spearheading this hunt with you, we'd of course love some!

I'm glad you were willing to take the burden on yourself to do a custom order to the benefit of all teams.

3/8" is a really beautiful size to use for FRC in gearboxes and random parts (Especially if you like AndyMark components), so to get that in quality 7075 is a real killer item. Teams! You should use this!

If it's extruded similarly to what we've used in the past, it's just barely over but is quickly filed/sanded to size without issue.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

As a precaution to teams, I suggest you do not use 7075 in very high stress situations unless you are sure of its pedigree. My team used 1/2 hex 7075 in a drive a couple of years ago and experienced a failure. Upon analysis by a metallurgist with aluminum expertise, he concluded the alloy had microscopic inclusions and had originated "outside the US". Be sure of the traceibility of the raw material. Insist on US made. (It is a good practice anyway to stimulate our own economy.)

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Beware when ordering that there is usually a letter and a digit or 2 after the 7075 . Teams probably want 7075 T6, T651, or T6511. Additionally because this is most likely to be used for shafts a ASTM specification for tolerances diameter and straightness should be specified. Make sure you spec what you want. Material certifications add to the cost but see the above post.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Andy,

I will be in touch with you soon, my email just got longer!

Others,

I'm getting 7075 - T6. I'm waiting on some emails to see what the flat to flat tolerance on the hex will be.

But thanks for the interest, I believe I will be putting in an order soon! Please do comment/post below if this is of interest. As Adam has said, this is really one of the holy grail materials for FRC that really isn't available.

Thanks,

-RC

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

We bought some 3/8" hex 6061 this season, and other than the fact that it was a poor material choice, it was 10 thou oversize. We couldn't use it at all.

If you find out the tolerances on the stock, it would be a whole lot more appealing.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Given the right tolerances, we would be interested.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

It is not .010.

If it's from Fry Steel, who was the previous common supplier in CA, it's more like +.002/-0. Sometimes it fits in hexes great for us, sometimes it requires a light hit with the scotchbrite belt.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Thanks RC for making this available!
1515 will certainly purchase some (likely less than 6' though).

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

It was coast aluminum, and it wasn't even remotely close to fitting. Hit it on the belt sander, files, still no go. Nothing short of milling it to size worked. I was pretty shocked, especially considering I've never had any issues with their bar stock or plate. Couldn't find any specified tolerances either.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Sorry, meant to say that the 7075 RC is getting is likely in the range of +.002.

Your hex was probably extruded. When we first bought our 7075 hex, I remember the tolerance on extruded being +.009/-0 and cold formed being the .002.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I tried to post in the last thread, but apparently it had to be approved by a moderator since I had a link to a website in the post. Guess it never got approved.

It seems like Yarde Metals carries 7075-T6 Hex Bar in 0.375" and smaller. No tolerance listed, but I'm sure you could give them a call. A lot of people online seem to buy from them with no issue - the "drop zone" surplus is often pretty cheap.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Link:

https://www.yarde.com/catalog/cat296.html

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Cory is correct, It will be Cold Form 7075.

Scott,

I just shot them an email and I'll follow up with them. If teams can get the 7075 here:

https://www.yarde.com/catalog/cat296.html

It would make our lives a lot easier. I'm following up with them and will report back here. I remember calling them a few months ago, their Ohio office, and they said they don't carry it. I must've called for the wrong item or gotten the wrong sales rep!

They also have: 1/4" - 5/16" - 3/8" and 1/2" in stock. The 3/8" and smaller would be really nice!

-RC

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I put in an RFQ with them so we'll see what they say.

If you base it on websites and catalogs, there are 50+ places that have the hex... but when you go to order, it's out of stock, or they have to check, so on and so on. Eventually they tell you they're pretty sure they don't carry it anymore and have no current plans to reorder...

I've been hunting diligently for this since December, and I know RC has as well.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I would be interested in some 10+ feet, depending on the price.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Similar to what Adam said. We've been looking since December. I got an email back from the Yarde Metal:

REGARDING YOUR INQUIRY FOR THE 7075 HEX. WE MUST REGRET AT THIS TIME AS WE DO NOT STOCK 7075 HEXES.

THANK YOU FOR THE INQUIRY

BARB AT YARDE

I also called and they said that their catalog is out of date and they have no interest in stocking 7075 Hex.

We will be putting an order in for 3/8 Hex if nothing else pops up in a week. Please do continue posting.

Also the tolerances are exactly what Cory spec'd. We will be getting cold formed 7075-T6.

Thanks,

-RC

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I got the same response this morning to doubly verify.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I'd take 10 feet if it's cheap enough (less than $40 to my door).

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I too would get 10', keep us posted.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

2363 wants some, too.
Todd F.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

The Goats would buy a good chunk depending on price.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

1687 would be interested as well, probably in 8+ feet.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

I checked with Industrial Metal today. The salesman told me that Alcoa has stopped producing small hex. They where the only US manufacture.

R.C. if you do get the mill run there should be plenty of demand for it.

Another thought would be to contact FIRST and see if this might be an item for FIRST Choice.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Cool, now we can start FRC future trading. CIM motors now at, CIM motors December price is +10%, January pricing is +22%. Same for 3/8 Hex. December + 15%, overnight ship 30%> Bid and ask prices!!

Ok, just kidding, got caught up working on my 401(k) for retirement. I'm in for 10' I have a project I'm working on. But I have to give you credit on your willingness to put about a mile of us together in your purchase. Cool thing about CD, you can do that. Cool thing on your Coopertition that you would do that! Thanks!

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Team 687 will most likely purchase some if/when made available. West Coast Products is turning out to be a great resource for the FIRST community!

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

David we should be able to do that. All depends on how much shipping is for this item.

Mike,

That was the same conversation I had with our supplier, anything below 1/2" is no longer sold.

I'll talk to Andy about the KOP item.

Thanks everyone for their replies, I've had numerous people email me about this item/post here and AM is on board. So we will be putting in an order. It's about a 3-4 month lead time item. We should have this around November or early December.

-RC

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

Put iR3 down for some as well. Order probably won't exceed 50' for now, but I'll let you know exactly how much when you have a good estimate on the cost.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

To update this thread, I got a confirmation on the order of Hex today.

It will arrive on December 5, 2012 and I'll be receiving 500lbs worth.

Just updating everyone as I've gotten a handful of emails/ims asking about it. Thank you guys for replying, it made the decision to go for it much easier (special thanks to AM).

-RC

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

RC, make sure you get the material "certs" and the like from the producer. If you need to sell some off outside the FIRST community, that could be helpful. I wouldn't be surprised if some of the machinists at Practical Machinist.com could use a bit of that.

Re: Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex
 

For those of you curious, 500lbs worth equates to ~3500' feet or so of extrusion...

Good Work RC!