Tube size

[fifidibosco]

hello all,
I have a big doubt : the diameters of the fuselage tubes are inner or outer.
Phil

 

[cvairwerks]

Tube sizes are generally given by outer diameter and wall thickness.

 

[TFF]

Tubes are measured outside. Pipes are measured inside.

 

[fifidibosco]

OK,
so all the diameters of the tubes of fuselage are outside. Here, in France, pipe or tube it's usually outer, but it's (nearly) always specified. Among all the suppliers I contacted for quotes, three ask me if it's inner or outer dia. I sent them a picture of the part list of the plans. In these three suppliers two are French, so I was not surprised they ask this question, but one is English...

 

[cvairwerks]

I would be very cautious of dealing with a supplier that wanted to know that information, as they probably do not deal with 4130 tubing.

 

[Geraldc]

Try here for 4130 equivalent.
https://chassisparts.fr/61-tubes-25cd4s-25crmo4?mc_cid=b83e682dca

 

[SeppoK]

They asked because 1 inch nominal pipe size is 1.315 inch outside.

 

[cvairwerks]

SeppoK: If he asked for 4130 and they asked if the dimension was an ID or OD, then they have no clue about it, and I would be highly suspicious of them. I would expect a steel supplier to know the difference almost immediately, when asking for certain materials, as to whether it was tubing or pipe.

 

[fifidibosco]

In fact, my main problem to begin the building is to find the suppliers for all the materials. For some materials I think I will have to buy in US and with shipping and taxes the price is clearly not competitive. And the problem is the same for tools
I love metric system...

 

[dog]

aircraftspruce dot EU
same spruce ,german address

https://www.aircraftspruce.eu/

 

[TFF]

https://aerometals.co.uk/Someone building Pitts in Germany are using them.

 

[fifidibosco]

Aircraftspruce.eu is often not a good idea for the money
2024 T3 alclad .025 x 4' x 12' :
AS US 250$ +280$ shipping + 55 $ taxes = 585 $
AS EU 405 € + 387 € transport = 792 € and the delivery times are often very long. If they don't have the material in stock, they order from AS.US. So it's better to do directly.

 

[fifidibosco]

I asked for quote from https://aerometals.co.uk/ and Tubes 25cd4s - 25crmo4 but no answer for the moment. Cross my fingers

 

[Laromin]

The prices on chassisparts.fr for 25cd4s are less than half of what we pay for 4130 in the US.
Too bad they don't list the more common 1mm wall sizes like 16 x 1 or 20 x 1.
I wonder if you could buy directly from Benteler in Germany,a lot of the ACS tube came/comes from them.

 

[Laromin]

Looks like aero-parts.eu has the proper sizes available at still reasonable prices.

 

[SeppoK]

LAS Aero has inch sizes, although it is more difficult to work with them after Brexit. Large steel vendors are usually not interested in supplying small amounts of tubing. 4130 Seamless Steel Tubing LAS Aerospace Ltd

 

[oriol]

Hi fifidibosco!

Try to reach local builders or professionals, like welders or machinists. They will tell you where they source they building materials?

If you live in Italy, I am sure you can find good quality steel locally.

Cheers,

Oriol

 

[fifidibosco]

Thank you all for your help, may be I'll finally find everything I need
Phil