Found Source: 3/8" 7075 Hex

[R.C.]

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.

Thanks,

-RC

[Mk.32]

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

[Andy Baker]

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

[Richard Wallace]

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?

[ttldomination]

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

- Sunny G.

[Jon Jack]

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

[AdamHeard]

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!

Originally Posted by Richard

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?

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.

[Rosiebotboss]

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.)

[Gdeaver]

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.

[R.C.]

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

[Gray Adams]

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.

[David Guzman]

Given the right tolerances, we would be interested.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Gray Adams

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.

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.

[msimon785]

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

[Gray Adams]

Originally Posted by Cory

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.

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.