4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

Help. I want to start a before season project to build a drive system on 4X3X.125 rectangular aluminum tube but my local suppliers (Midwest Metals Warehouse and Metal Express) do not carry it. Where else can I get some cheap?
Thanks
Bruce

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

Try metalsdepot.com

They've got 6063 aluminum tube in that size for ~$100 (8' length).

They ship from Kentucky.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

Try onlinemetals.com, they'll even give you a discount if their website is linked from your team's website.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

http://www.onlinemetalstore.com is located in Minneapolis, MN and has 4"x2"x1/8" if you aren't rigidly tied to the 4"x3" size. Of course, I am biased about them. They have been a very generous sponsor of our team.

Why so big anyway? Most frames I have seen being built are based on 1"x2"x1/8". See http://www.team221.com as an example.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

Just a guess, but larger tubes are ideal if you wish to mount wheels inside the tube with pockets on the top and bottom, rather than cantilevered. Team 221 actually has a 4x3x1/8" tube for their Rock Box.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

4 x 3 x 1/8 wall is a pretty strange size for aluminum tubing. None of the suppliers listed here carry it save for metalsdepot.com, as David mentioned.

The $107 price should give you an idea of how strange it is. At that price, it may be a custom extrusion -- though one they obviously have a die for.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

You should put on emphasis on designing around materials that are easy to acquire. 2x4x1/8 is much more easily available.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

Wow, that is practically highway robbery. I agree with everyone else. Find another readily available size and design around that.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

We get our 4"x3" tube from Alro or Clinton Aluminum.

This is great advice. If you can't find it on McMaster it is most likely not a standard component that is readily available.

That said, 4"x3" tube is available from McMaster. :D

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

I only see 1/4" wall available on McMaster. Am I missing it?

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

I stand corrected. :o

We definitely buy it from Alro, laser cut for the Rock Box. I could have sworn that I bought a length from mcMaster at some point. Guess not.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

If you really wanna have fun, try designing a robot around the materials you can buy at your local hardware/building supply store!

Although in the grand scheme of things, paying $100 or so plus shipping for the main vital part for your chassis isn't too bad, as long as the rest of it is not very expensive.

Re: 4X3X1/8 rectangle aluminum tube availablility
 

we are lucky enough to have a regional metal supplier that makes all types of metal.

http://metal-distributors.com/

i do know that they stock that size of aluminum even though it is not on the website. i dont know about pricing however.


they do have 2 by 4 by .125