I checked McMaster-Carr. Here’s an option:
6061-T6 aluminum (42 ksi yield); 1" Sch 40 (1.315" OD); 6’ long $30.94; part #5038K21
Standard ASTM A-53 or SA-106 steel pipe is 30 ksi yield
a 5’ piece of unthreaded steel pipe is $18.19, part #7750K233
a 6’ piece threaded is $17.83, part #4457K55
Problem is I don’t know what your stock piece is. It may be heat treated and have a higher yield.
well to be honest i don’t know what kind of metal the stock rebar is… i’m assuming steel.
all i need is something to take a small hit so that if some jackass backs into my car, the rebar will save the upper IC endtank… it’s nothing that will save my life… but just something for small ‘occurances’ … so i’m going to say that strength is an issue only to the extent that it can take a 5mph hit…
McMaster will have cromoly, it’s a great alloy. I’m most familiar with 4130 as most decent steel bicycle frames are made of the stuff(not your walmart pokies). It’s used because it’s damned light(for steel) and damned strong, as well as repairable. Good stuff. If McM doesn’t have the stock you need, try Dillsburg Aeroplane Works. That place isn’t local, but they’re in South Central PA and it’s a fabbers dream.
Alum is a pretty easy TIG job and would also do the trick. With the cost of steel these days, might be cheaper and lighter depending on diameter and wall thickness. Doubling the diameter gets you a tube that’s 8 time stiffer, at least in 6061-T6.
What about real rebar? As in the stuff they put in bridges, concrete etc? T’aint light but it’s as free as your closest municipal project…and you can hack it with an angle grinder and stick weld it with ease? Just thinkin’ out loud…
hey sonny,frankie at laural mt. says he has some chromoly tubing!!!
thanks andrew and brian…
i’m going to call mcmaster and see what they have lined up… i can give lou a call and see, i have minimal amount of space behind my bumper, so it’ll have to be a tight squeeze.
i also need someone who’s good at welding to get it together :love: … which i think i have, i guess i’m just going to buy some and see if we can get it to work… i don’t want anything too heavy but at the same time i’d rather have something, than nothing at all…
thanks guys!!!