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Topic: Aluminum grade and supply question |
Bill Hatcher
From:
Atlanta Ga. USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 1:12 pm |
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What grade of aluminum is used by most steel manufacturers for square cross shafts and knee lever stock.
Anybody have any luck with an online supplier for small orders of aluminum. |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 1:28 pm
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| Most, if not all, manufacturers use steel cross shafts. Aluminum flexes too much. |
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Chris Lucker
From:
Los Angeles, California USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 1:30 pm
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McMaster Carr has a fairly good selection of aluminum alloys, and other metals and plastics. In fact, it is an easy source for the size of aluminum used for Emmons, Marlen, and probably many other pedal steel knee levers. The Marlen rivets are there. They also have the hex stock for making pedal rod extenders, and you can order the elusive 5-40 taps and dies. In fact, the only think I have not found at www.mcmaster.com is "D" rod -- the round cross shaft with one portion ground flat for set screw location.
I cannot tell you what aluminum alloy to buy for cross shafts. I have only seen plated steel and one or more of the stainless concoctions.
Chris[This message was edited by Chris Lucker on 08 July 2004 at 02:33 PM.] |
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C Dixon
From:
Duluth, GA USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 2:38 pm
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My Sierra Session D-10 and my Excel Superb uses 5/16" aluminum crossbars. Sierra's were square, Excel's are hexagonal. I do not know what the type of aluminum it is. Note: Later Sierra's may have gone to steel. Not sure. Aluminum crossbars lightens the overall weight of the guitar considerably.
carl |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 2:48 pm
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Chris you can make that "D" rod pretty easily with a vise and a file.
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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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chas smith R.I.P.
From:
Encino, CA, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2004 3:34 pm
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| Bill, if you are going to use aluminum, your best bet would be 7075 with a high T number like T6. The next best choice would be 2024, and after that 6061 T6 or T651. 7075 approaches steel in strength, 2024 has zinc in the alloy which makes it more machining friendly and 6061 has silicon in the alloy which makes it weldable. 6061 is also the least expensive of the group. 2024 T4 is stronger than 6061 T6. 6063, which is what your back door and windows are probably made from, is very soft and malleable and takes the colors from annodizing the best. |
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