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Technical Where can I get Aluminum Hex tubing for fuel log?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by movin/on, Sep 5, 2023.

  1. movin/on
    Joined: Jan 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,100

    movin/on
    Member

    Searched here, Summit, Jeg's, Fastenal, and Grainger. Struck out on all of them.
    I need two lengths of aluminum hex 1" OD and 3/8" ID so I can drill and tap for fuel lines.
    I'm planning on running a line on each side of a 6X2 intake.
    Picture attached. I'll be eliminating the choke rods. I've arranged it so all linkage is on the inside and fuel logs on the outside.
    Movin/on
    F68 Stromberg Mock-up-A.jpg
     
  2. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 4,312

    rusty valley
    Member

    Ebay has some sellers of short length metals
     
    Johnny Gee likes this.
  3. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,257

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

  4. 1971BB427
    Joined: Mar 6, 2010
    Posts: 9,791

    1971BB427
    Member
    from Oregon

    I think your best bet is to buy 1" hexagon aluminum bar stock, and have someone with a lathe bore it. Then you can thread each end for plugs or fittings, and D&T your outlets. Ebay has lots of sellers of 1" aluminum hex barstock.
     
  5. Fordors
    Joined: Sep 22, 2016
    Posts: 6,449

    Fordors
    Member

    I’d bet they have what you want-

    IMG_9474.png
     
  6. 34Phil
    Joined: Sep 12, 2016
    Posts: 709

    34Phil
    Member

  7. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 16,978

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Get a long 3/8” drill and drill in each end if you have drill press… not hart to do..
     
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  8. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,942

    noboD
    Member

    McMaster Carr, if they don't have it you don't need it.
     
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  9. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 9,171

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    Last edited: Sep 5, 2023
    Bob Lowry and bobss396 like this.
  10. alanp561
    Joined: Oct 1, 2017
    Posts: 5,507

    alanp561
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    OnlineMetals.com 12" piece - $11.21 ea. 24"piece - $21.58 ea.
     
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  11. bobss396
    Joined: Aug 27, 2008
    Posts: 18,702

    bobss396
    Member

    Far better off using a lathe, the drill can walk-off using a drill press, YMMV for sure.
     
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  12. 1952henry
    Joined: Jan 8, 2006
    Posts: 1,573

    1952henry
    Member

    IMG_0514.jpeg Yep, McMaster Carr…
     
  13. pirate
    Joined: Jun 29, 2006
    Posts: 1,242

    pirate
    Member
    from Alabama

    Do a Google search for “aluminum hexagon extrusions” quite a bit came up. Drilling hex bar stock sounds like the best option as it gives you the option of threading for fittings.
     
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  14. movin/on
    Joined: Jan 18, 2007
    Posts: 1,100

    movin/on
    Member

    I do have a metal lathe with a tail stock which holds a drill bit. The head of the lathe has a 1-1/2 inch pass through so there will not be that much stock exposed to the drill bit. I'll probably buy three 1 ft pieces just in case I mess one up. The McMaster Carr site is a good option with the 1" 0.25 wall size.
    Thanks: Movin/on
     
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  15. ekimneirbo
    Joined: Apr 29, 2017
    Posts: 5,285

    ekimneirbo
    Member
    from Brooks Ky

    I'd buy one piece thats longer than 2 ft as you may find that you want to cut to length and maybe need something slightly longer. I bought some ready made fuel logs and they were 16" long. Not hex shaped. Also you will need a "center drill" to initially start your drill hole and keep it on center. Then buy a "long" drill bit so you can drill deep enough to meet in the middle. I'd start with a 2 flute 5/16 or so and drill a pilot hole. As you get deeper, pull the drill bit out of the part and clear the chips multiple times. Last thing you want to do is to break the drill bit inside the part.
    Once you have that drilled most or all the way thru, then finish with the 3/8 long drill bit. If you can find a 3 flute bit, it will go more smoothly on the finished size. Then drill each end to the correct size for the threaded fitting.
    While you have it in the lathe chuck..........use a small "center" in the tailstock or in a chuck inserted in the tailstock to center your tap handle/tap in the and keep light pressure against it while tapping your thread. That should get your thread straight. May have to shift the lathe into a lower gear so it doesn't turn while tapping and squirt a little fluid on the tap. Probably need to tap part way then back the tap out. Blow chips out and finish tapping it.

    The center drills pictured below just drill a shallow hole to insure the drill bit stays centered when you start drilling. Don't get the smallest one.

    Center Drills.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 6, 2023
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  16. Jeff34
    Joined: Jun 2, 2015
    Posts: 1,224

    Jeff34
    Member

  17. Marty Strode
    Joined: Apr 28, 2011
    Posts: 9,676

    Marty Strode
    Member

    Depends on your skill level, JD has enough to go around !
     
    alanp561 likes this.
  18. Paulz
    Joined: Dec 30, 2018
    Posts: 187

    Paulz
    Member

    Search for aluminum hex tap tube at any stock car supply place.
     
    alanp561 likes this.

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