K&s metals question

[johnyrotten]

I've been looking for some 1/32 aluminum rod, it looks like it's no longer stocked or listed on the website, amazon shows nothing by part number, the only listing I found on fleabay was Australia. Anyone know if they discontinued this, and another source possibly? Part number 83040.

[stitchdup]

would the top piece of an old telescoping car aeriel work?

[johnyrotten]

16 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

would the top piece of an old telescoping car aeriel work?

I'm trying to make a set of shocks, there's a tutorial posted here, it calls for aluminum rod, I believe because the assembly is drilled after. The antenna would definitely be harder for me to drill.

[Matt Bacon]

Try a craft shop that sells material for flower arranging, or an actual florists. You can get 1mm, 1.5mm and 2mm diameter aluminum wire that they use in arrangements this side of the pond, but I don't know what sizes might be available in the US. If you only want a few inches, a florist might just give you an offcut...

best,

M.

 

[Spooker]

Find someone that does aluminum TIG welding, TIG wire comes in a size very close to 1/32".

[johnyrotten]

5 minutes ago, Spooker said:

Find someone that does aluminum TIG welding, TIG wire comes in a size very close to 1/32".

That's my occupation,  I've got down to 1/16 on hand. For thin work I just use aluminum mig wire, way too soft.

[Chris V]

"Albion Alloys" is another well-renowned manufacturer of quality aluminum, brass and steel tubing for modeling. 

[bill-e-boy]

What about ally tube - may be more available

Worst comes to worse make it from plastic rod and tube and paint it

Only thing polished ally just looks like polished ally that paint just cannot capture. I have found Alclad Polished ally is close but we cant get it anymore down our ways (NZ)

Inspiration - the shocks and coil were machined in ally . The coil spring is painted ally craft wire

 

 

[johnyrotten]

35 minutes ago, bill-e-boy said:

What about ally tube - may be more available

Ive been searching for options, i think the metal companies scaled back on certain products recently.  The tutorial I've got calls for both rod and tube, the 1/32 (.08 mm) rod is the only one I haven't been able to source here in the states.   I've seriously considered trying styrene,  I have the sizes needed on hand. The tutorial I found doesn't require machining, just some file work. Those shocks you posted are beautiful, if I only owned a lathe. Thanks for the reply. 

[Chris V]

54 minutes ago, bill-e-boy said:

I have found Alclad Polished ally is close but we cant get it anymore down our ways (NZ)

To the best of my knowledge, the paints are no longer manufactured under the Alclad II brand, but are still available from AK-Interactive as their "Extreme Metal" range of paints. 

[bobss396]

Why not use brass rod? I use it for a lot of things. Worst case, you'd have to squirt a little paint on it. Or leave it bare.

[johnyrotten]

52 minutes ago, bobss396 said:

Why not use brass rod? I use it for a lot of things. Worst case, you'd have to squirt a little paint on it. Or leave it bare.

I've thought about that, in the tutorial they "crimped" the eye to the shock rod, I'm not 100% sure the brass will squeeze down.  Inexperience speaking.

[NOBLNG]

I don’t see why aluminum mig wire would be too soft. Unless the 0.035” diameter is too large to telescope into the tubing if that’s what’s required?

[johnyrotten]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

I don’t see why aluminum mig wire would be too soft. Unless the 0.035” diameter is too large to telescope into the tubing if that’s what’s required?

I haven't yet tried the mig wire, going off memory the grade I have on hand is pretty flimsy. I'm the type that looks out for problems before I create them, there's a degree of over- thinking sometimes. Scratch building at this scale is fairly new to me, and I have no experience using aluminum/brass ect on models. All new to me. I'm going try the wire tonight. Thanks

[TooOld]

You don't want mig wire . . . find some aluminum tig welding rod .  I recently bought some 1/32 - 1/16 - and 3/32 rod at an older Ace Hardware , the newer stores don't carry it . Or ask at a local metal shop that welds aluminum , I've been able to get a few lengths this way in the past .

[johnyrotten]

6 minutes ago, TooOld said:

You don't want mig wire . . . find some aluminum tig welding rod .  I recently bought some 1/32 - 1/16 - and 3/32 rod at an older Ace Hardware , the newer stores don't carry it . Or ask at a local metal shop that welds aluminum , I've been able to get a few lengths this way in the past .

I'm going to call me vendor for work, check to see if they have a pound available.  My shop is 3 minutes from noble gas, and could use the extra in the garage. Thanks

[SfanGoch]

K&S discontinued KNS83040. Burbank's House of Hobbies has 0.8mm (1/32") aluminum rod.

 

WAVE AL-Line 0.8mm Aluminum rod

Google the item for other sources.

[StevenGuthmiller]

5 hours ago, Chris V said:

To the best of my knowledge, the paints are no longer manufactured under the Alclad II brand, but are still available from AK-Interactive as their "Extreme Metal" range of paints. 

https://alclad2.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[mr68gts]

Try Albion tubing. they make very small tubing is brass and aluminum.

[johnyrotten]

I want to thank everyone for their help, suggestions and recommendations. And your time. I've put in an order to burbank's house of hobbies, great spot. I'm still going to try a couple other ideas. Thanks again 👍👍

[bobss396]

22 hours ago, johnyrotten said:

I've thought about that, in the tutorial they "crimped" the eye to the shock rod, I'm not 100% sure the brass will squeeze down.  Inexperience speaking.

It will not likely crimp that far unless you have a serious bench vise. 

[bobss396]

16 hours ago, johnyrotten said:

I want to thank everyone for their help, suggestions and recommendations. And your time. I've put in an order to burbank's house of hobbies, great spot. I'm still going to try a couple other ideas. Thanks again 👍👍

Burbank has a lot of cool rare stuff. I have them as a saved seller on eBay. 

[Straightliner59]

19 hours ago, mr68gts said:

Try Albion tubing. they make very small tubing is brass and aluminum.

No kidding! A local Hobbytown recently added their rack. I bought a package of their telescoping brass tube, the smallest of which is .3mm. I can barely see the bore with cheaters on!

[johnyrotten]

2 hours ago, bobss396 said:

unless you have a serious bench vise. 

That's covered,  I've got a huge athol and a smaller 6 inch I restored 10 or so years ago. The athol weights a ton, but is well used.

[Straightliner59]

19 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I've thought about that, in the tutorial they "crimped" the eye to the shock rod, I'm not 100% sure the brass will squeeze down.  Inexperience speaking.

To make rod ends, I use a 1/16" pin punch, on an anvil. I light rap with a hammer flattens the end, which can then be drilled. That's how I made the eyes for these tennis balls. They're smaller than anything I've seen manufactured.