Round nerf / bumper tube ends?

I was wondering if anyone knows of a source for domed / hemispherical round tube ends -- caps similar to those used on the top of chain link fence posts --- that I could use to cap the ends of a tubular bumper or nerf bar? I don't know yet if my bars and bumpers will be ss or aluminum or just steel. Hoping to find them in various sizes to fit common tube IDs. Last resort is to make them but I'm hoping some one out there already has an idea where to get them. If I was going for more of a gasser look, I suppose I could just use iron pipe with screw-on plumbing caps or even fence post tops, but that isn't what I'm looking for. Thanx in advance, Gary

 

http://www.wagnercompanies.com/end_caps.aspx

We use them on the ends of pipe railings at work.

 

Wonderful. Many thanx, Gary

 

2 5/8" x .120 wall tubing with simple turned aluminum cap.

The cap is a snug slip-in fit and was installed after the bumper was powder coated.

A small bit of JB Weld is used to retain the cap.



I may do another one and if so, the cap will be larger and a little more blatant in size and appearance.
Sort of along the lines of the screw-on pipe caps found in hardware stores.

It was common to buy pipe and caps in black iron and chrome plate it after the mounting brackets went on.

I've seen screw-on caps in stainless - which would polish up nice.
Fire trucks, hospital piping etc.

Couple other views.

 

C9 thanx for the pix and advice. I think the Wagner site above has what I need. In my searches I found some hits on boat shops, pickup bed mfgs, and furniture parts mfgs. This place in the UK has some nice stuff that might work, too. Later, Gary

http://www.bpfittings.co.uk/pc/Metal-Steel-Inserts-c3235.htm

 

go to Napa and check out shallow cup expansion plugs , i've used them in the past to plug the end of a tube. they come in many sizes

for smaller tubes, i use the head of a carriage bolt

 

Interesting... keep those idears coming, folks! Gary

 

this is a 1-3/8" OD shallow cup expansion plug that i welded on the the end of the rear nerf bar on my `36.... 51 cents each at Napa.

the link that qmotox looks like they would work great too

 

So many good ideas for such a small item! Working on Nerf ideas myself, thanks!

I have also seen large ball bearings used. Slide it in, weld er up and polish the weld back down. Chrome or paint.

 

Two cheap or temporary solutions:

Freeze plugs, might happen to fit your tubing.

There are plug blanks up to 1.5 inches at OSH, used for blanking off holes in electrical panels -- nice brushed finish, adjustable fingers.