where to find threaded rod and alum. tubing

[Frank McKinney]

OK well I've finally finally finally finished building up my first crawler, and want to convert a Wheely King to a custom chassis, and maybe extend the wheelbase of my current crawler (pictures to come, I want to do some de-anodizing first).

So does anyone know where can I get tubing and threaded rod?

I've checked ebay and google and can't seem to find a single supplier that has an easily searchable supply/site to find exactly what I'm looking for:
M3 threaded rod
6mm (o.d.) tubing with 3-4mm i.d.

I don't mind using 2-part epoxy to 'weld' cut-off bits of the threaded rod into the ends of the tubing (this was my initial plan anyway) but these bits are still hard to find.

Getting anodized stuff from the brand names is just too expensive, so this is why I'm trying to save the time of trawling through all the big-box hardware stores around me, and shop online.

[Straightspeed]

Off the shelf at B&Q!

[BigBob]

Try B&Q - was in our local superstore yesterday and saw some there.



BB

[Frank McKinney]

Thanks guys...

Argh...typical...the big B&Q near me just closed, I'll have to see if one of the other stores across town stock that stuff.

Has anyone successfully bent rods at a particular degree? The Axial high clearance links are bent to 30 degrees and I don't have any sort of machine that will do this, so I'd just be using 2 pairs of locking pliers. Any suggestions on what to use as a measuring jig or whatnot?

[Mark Christopher]

buy a cheap brake pipe bender for cars
somin like this http://www.frost.co.uk/item_Detail.asp?productID=9006&frostProductName=Brake%20Pipe%20and%20Tube%20Bende r&catID=14&frostCat=&frostSubCat=&subCatID=

[Frank McKinney]

Ah, trust an auto parts store to have what I need :) (well, not NEED really, just want ;))

[biggusditchus]

The pipe benders work fine, have done the lower links on my crawler. B&Q have only sold lengths of M4 studding as far as I could see. Although if your going to fit it into tube with cut off bits of rod why not just get some long M3 bolts as those are readily available from B&Q

[dead man]

here is m4 rod (use revo rod ends)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stainless-Steel-Threaded-Rod-Studding-M4-3-x-200mm_W0QQitemZ330082010303QQihZ014QQcategoryZ9864 1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

[Frank McKinney]

The pipe benders work fine, have done the lower links on my crawler. B&Q have only sold lengths of M4 studding as far as I could see. Although if your going to fit it into tube with cut off bits of rod why not just get some long M3 bolts as those are readily available from B&Q

Thanks, I found some 6mm o.d. tubing (same o.d. as the Axial links) on the B&Q website and am happy to cut off screw heads, etc.


here is m4 rod (use revo rod ends)
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Stainless-Steel-Threaded-Rod-Studding-M4-3-x-200mm_W0QQitemZ330082010303QQihZ014QQcategoryZ9864 1QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

Thanks, another one to add to the watch list!

Quite a list of stuff adding up!

While I'm at it, I mentioned de-anodizing in the first post so I may as well ask about it here - I want to take off the green stuff on the Scorp (silver matches many more different colours of paint jobs than bright green), so what is the quickest way to remove anodizing without pitting the aluminium? Any suggestions?

[dead man]

the best way is caustic soda mix in water hen dip for about 15 seconds and the green stuff just comes of then give it a quick polish

PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST WEAR RUBBER GLOVES AND PROTECTIVE GLASSES AND DO IN A WELL VENTED AREA

[Mark Christopher]

oven cleaner frank and i dont mean the misses

[Frank McKinney]

Where do you get caustic soda? Boots? And how much to mix in the water? I have rubber gloves and glass bowls/jars.

And I'm happy to clean the oven Mark :) I was going to go with oven cleaner but I read that some of them can pit the aluminium, so I wasn't sure.

[dead man]

you can get it from B&Q as its used for cleaning drains

[Frank McKinney]

Ah right - B&Q, home of everything you need (nearly) for making your crawling wonder ;)

[dead man]

Ah right - B&Q, home of everything you need (nearly) for making your crawling wonder ;)



sooooo true :o

[Frank McKinney]

oh, I guess a pint or so of water will cover all the bits but how much caustic soda should be thrown in the mix?

[dead man]

i didnt measure it i just put about 3 table spoon full in about a in pint of water,you cant really put to much in as it will just do it quicker

make sure you rinse them really well in clean water.what i did was do 1 piece at a time then drop it in to clean water swish it round then do the next bit,then give them i light polish (i used very fine wire wool as im not a bling king)

[Frank McKinney]

Found the caustic soda at homebase, worked a treat! Stinks like a...stinky thing :) Just putting the wheels back together, at least this gave me a reason to trim down the inserts a bit more.

[dead man]

dead easy to do:D