Aluminum OK for Polar Bear Forge GIB tooling arm?

Tippet

Tippet

Joined
Mar 13, 2010
Messages
226
Whew! Long time to complete a project. I've had a whole bunch of distractions; the grinder's been ready to go for months except for paint and the tooling arm.

I have some time now and I want to get busy. I went down to my local metal supply to see what was available in 1-1/2" square tube remnants, at the moment all that's available is aluminum.

Any reason not to use it, and if aluminum is OK what would be the recommended wall thickness?
 
Why not solid 1 1/2 steel ?

Sure it's a little heavy, but available and cheap.


If you can get the Al tubing and make it work while you have time over the holidays, I say get it and try it out.
You can always change it later for little $ spend and little time invested...

It depends on what's available, I say as thick as possible..
The Al will gall up and scar, especially where your tightening lever touches, but you can always replace it if that bothers you..

There are hundreds of hurdles to get over in the future, may as well get this one out of the say ...
 
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That's kinda what I thought, the gouging and such. I'd rather just buy it once. But then again I'd like to get started on a new project. Maybe I'll check some other suppliers, not so close at hand but not that far to drive.
 
If there are no machine shops or metal suppliers that have it near you, you can order it online and have it at your place in a couple of days.
 
If your grinder is vibrating, you should figure out where the problem is.

I had an aluminum arm, and even a G10 arm, they both worked fine on my KMG.
 
Hey Tippet,

I got my 1 1/2 solid steel from Industrial Metal Supply on Ronson road in Kerney Mesa. Sometimes they have it in the rem section but if not, they will cut it per your specs. If they are closed over the holidays and you need some now, shoot me a PM. I have some in my shop you can use then just replace it for me when IMS opens back up again. My new tooling arm project can wait a bit.

Eric
 
Thanks Eric, actually IMS is also where I went. I'll run down there Monday and see if they have any solid steel remnants. It'll cost 2 or 3 times as much if I have to get them to cut into a piece of stock, but I think I saw a piece of solid remnant when I was in there looking for tube.

And also thanks everyone , I really appreciate the great helping atmosphere here! Merry Christmas everyone!
 
Well, I spent $25 today on a 40" piece of solid 1-1/2" sq cold-rolled. I sure hope I get time to finish this project before a hot-rolled remnant shows up, I'd kick myself because that would cost less than half as much.
 
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