Page 3 of 4

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 8:35 pm
by Mitchza89
If you don't have the gear or the money to get a aluminium welding kit, finding fittings for aluminium tube is quite hard. Luckerly that the nominal bore tube is very similar in size to copper so your able to use copper fittings. Only drawback is you'd have to epoxy. It's the only way I can think of of bonding a metal to an alloy :?

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:09 pm
by Maniac
I think i might use aluminum tube on my next cannon the light weight a godd pressure factor is what i like from looking at. Mc master also has reasonable prices on it. They also sell it with thread so no welding!!!
Thanks for the idea Mitch

Posted: Tue May 06, 2008 9:22 pm
by Mitchza89
With a thread?? You're kidding? :shock: That would be THE best alternative to threaded galvanised steel!

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:23 am
by dongfang
Hi

Yeah, I also just checked a flimsy little 16 mm OD pipe with 1 mm wall thickness using Barlow's formula (using -400 MPa tensile strength).

With a safety factor of 2, it takes 250 bar without problems.. I will never get more than 70-80 bar in it..

Regards
Soren

Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:33 am
by Mitchza89
:shock: ...

Why are more people not using this? It's such a good alternative to copper.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 4:10 am
by dongfang
Hi,

I'm going to try braze some aluminium tonight!!! I didn't know until this week it was possible at all :oops: Now I found the blowtorch, the welding (solder) rod and the stainless steel brush.

That's going to be a little exciting.

Regards
Soren

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 6:10 am
by Mitchza89
Best of luck mate! You'll have to post some pics as soon as you finish it! :D

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 6:47 am
by Pyro Ninja
I think when I finish my numerous guns that need finishing, I may try a aluminum gun, always use it as barrels.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:15 am
by Mitchza89
This is looking to be the new fad :D. I remember when small bore guns came around when I was posting like mad about new designs and plans. Looks like a cirtain allow is the next big thing :D.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:23 am
by JDP12
yea it seems that they are catching on indeed (as i'm working on plans for a t-shirt launcher for my school)

haha

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:28 am
by Mitchza89
Haha you blokes are as bad as me... I'm always thinking about something gun related in some way or another... :D

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:29 am
by JDP12
and im at school right now...haha... guns=life. school=nuisance.

Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 7:48 am
by Mitchza89
Hahaha poor you. It's 11pm on a wonderful friday night in Aus....and I am as full as a 44 gallon drum....I reckon I could still fit in a few more beers though :D.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 12:10 pm
by Brian the brain
I've just put 500 psi on an aluminium tibe just like that.I threaded it and put fittings on it.
It was 20 mm however.

That would mean yours will be safe to use at 300 psi, most likely all you need.

Posted: Sat May 10, 2008 9:00 pm
by Mitchza89
How did you thread it BTB? on the outside or inside? and what sorta fittings did ya use? :?