Anyone have a better source than Amazon?
I second Speedy Metals - that is who I used.
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I’ve used speedy metals, and these guys.
https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/
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There’s a metal supermarket about an hour from me, so no shipping.
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Does anyone have measurements for the tubes and it also looks like there is a piece of 90-degree angle on the unit? How many of each length is needed?
No 90-degree angle metal. The tube lengths vary based on your table size. You can use the size calculator on the LowRider page to calculate the tube dimensions. The same calculator works for both the original LowRider and LowRiderV2.
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BT,
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Help me out here. What am I missing? This certainly looks like a piece of angle on the very back running the width of the unit.
If you look at his YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4tD9G1uOC4v
That’s a non-structural piece, probably angle aluminum, zip-tied on just for supporting a shop vac hose. Should be fine assembling the machine and then measuring it if you want to add the hose support.
Zoro.com has 6’ lengths for $36, free shipping over $50 and 20% off w/ code SAVESERIOUS (no idea how long that’s good for).
https://www.zoro.com/zoro-select-tubing-welded-1-in-6-ft-304-ss-3adh2/i/G0711304/
As for that angle-piece, it will add some amount of additional strength to the gantry by preventing the tube clamps from rotating inward (how much is not clear).
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They are different, by a tiny bit. I will make a new one today. I have the equations in the build thread.
Regarding tubes, can I buy 1" OD mild steel pipe from Home Depot? They are .065 wall thickness. Do you have any experience with that? I can’t imagine strength on a ~4ft run would be much different than stainless. The only drawback I can think of might be rust, but a coating of spray lacquer would likely provide enough protection. What are your thoughts?
Do you have link for the tubing you are talking about? The only 1.000" OD tubing I can find on the website is this, and it is only available in 36" lengths. According the the calculator that would give you only 25" of X width on the gantry.
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Frosty,
That’s not mild steel pipe. That is conduit. Here is what I am talking about and it comes in 10ft lengths.
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https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-10-ft-Black-Steel-Pipe-585-1200HC/100535170
[quote="fr0gman,post:13,topic:7741"] Frosty,
That’s not mild steel pipe. That is conduit. Here is what I am talking about and it comes in 10ft lengths.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-in-x-10-ft-Black-Steel-Pipe-585-1200HC/100535170
[/quote]
If you read the specs, that is 1" ID, 1.315"OD pipe. And yes the tubing I linked can be used as conduit, but it is not a standard EMT conduit size or finish.In Australia I’ve found 1" chrome plated steel pipe used for bathroom fixtures. (Towel and shower rails.)
Seems fairly solid so I’ll try it, it’s cheap so I can always swap to stainless later if needed.
Ryan did some flex tests of various tubing options and the 1" shower curtain rod he tried was too soft: “too weak the bearings left a groove on the first pass”.
https://www.v1engineering.com/forum/topic/stainless-steel-quick-and-dirty-flex-test/
Just stopped by the local metal supply (st. louis, MO)
Stainless 1" .065 was $3.25 a foot. They had a number of cheaper options in other forms of steel, does it really have to be stainless? Alloy aside does the method of forming matter? Lots of options between ERW and DOM methods (https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/difference-between-erw-dom-and-seamless-tube/)
I have scoured the site but really struggling to understand what is needed and what would work and what wouldn’t be ideal.
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It doesn’t have to be stainless, but stainless is stiffer than plain steel. It also won’t corrode, depending on where you are, that could be an issue. Forming doesn’t matter but, if you get the welded it won’t be quite as round, and will have a seam bump. As long as the seam isn’t where a bearing rides on the tube it’s fine.
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Thanks B. I think I should update the FAQ’s. This sort of thing is coming up all the time.
Thanks all - I was clear on pipe vs tube (and related dimmensional aspects) but the information on which alloys and forming techniques are appropriate would be a good FAQ item.
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