General 15mm Tubing?

Go here for 15mm carbon tubing. www.rockwestcomposites.com

0.590" OD 0.460" ID

Part number 45406 for carbon cloth outer finish. $50 for a 60" length.
Part number 45407 for unidirectional outer finish. $46 for a 60" length.

Not the cheapest thing, but the lightest/toughest material available for rail systems.

You'll never get 0.625" OD down to 0.591" (15mm) without a lathe. Even sanding carbon fiber down is nearly impossible.

Cheers,
Pete
 
I got some from metricmetals.com but in hindsight I wish i would've just bought real rods from redrock micro or someplace similar.
I got some very heavy wall stainless steel tube but it was fairly soft and dented in a couple places. (partly from set screws instead of a clamp design) But it wasn't really any cheaper than buying rods.
I would say don't waste your time turning down 5/8 material. The real thing is likely to be so much better. Just my opinion.
 
c3hammer said:
You'll never get 0.625" OD down to 0.591" (15mm) without a lathe. Even sanding carbon fiber down is nearly impossible.
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I was assuming he had access to a lathe, but even still.. not worth it. And don't sand or cut carbon fiber without a proper mask. The dust is cancerous.
 
Paul F said:
Solid 15mm aluminum 6' rod available from McMaster Carr for $16. http://www.mcmaster.com/
CoolLCD has hollow rods with threads at reasonable prices. http://www.coollcd.com/rig-components-support-rods_c903?zenid=ef5197c8e5fdf151a7ec6d8e4da7c6b9
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I have been on that McMaster Carr website for a while looking for the aluminum rods and I can't find them. Would you be able to post a link to the specific page? Thanks.

EDIT:
I found them... Thanks.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-aluminum-rods/=f9id9k
 
David G. Smith said:
I have been on that McMaster Carr website for a while looking for the aluminum rods and I can't find them. Would you be able to post a link to the specific page? Thanks.

EDIT:
I found them... Thanks.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-aluminum-rods/=f9id9k
Click to expand...

thanks for the find! i just bought 6' of it and its kind of wierd that they dont tell their shipping charges...i'm kind of scared ;) but whatever; ill tell you guys how it is once it get it!
 
It's nice clean extruded bare aluminum rod. It's heavier than tubing. It works. But you have to finish it if you want to have it look nice. Bare aluminum is not attractive; especially when it is subjected to the accessories. It scratches, it oxidizes. You can polish it to a nice brilliant shine if you have the patience, but it won't last. Spray paint will come off without much abuse. Powder coat or anodizing are the preferred finishes.

On the plus side, you can make up any length you like and it is cheap. You can look at it on this video (at 1:40) - http://www.youtube.com/user/senigalliaprod?feature=mhee
 
Paul F said:
It's nice clean extruded bare aluminum rod. It's heavier than tubing. It works. But you have to finish it if you want to have it look nice. Bare aluminum is not attractive; especially when it is subjected to the accessories. It scratches, it oxidizes. You can polish it to a nice brilliant shine if you have the patience, but it won't last. Spray paint will come off without much abuse. Powder coat or anodizing are the preferred finishes.

On the plus side, you can make up any length you like and it is cheap. You can look at it on this video (at 1:40) - http://www.youtube.com/user/senigalliaprod?feature=mhee
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i actually plan to powdercoat it! i'm going to make a diy shoulder rig with a cutting board. i saw some video of it and it inspired me. but i'm using 15mm so it will be compatible with any other accessory.
 
Just beware that powder coating will change the diameter of your 15mm rods slightly. I don't know to what to degree this will affect you, but some accessories may not slide on as smoothly, while others won't have a problem.
 
Keep in mind that powder coating adds significantly to the diameter, as powder coating is thick making standard 15mm hardware unusable
 
recordingwhiz said:
Keep in mind that powder coating adds significantly to the diameter, as powder coating is thick making standard 15mm hardware unusable
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ok than i'll think about that. but some crazy thing just happened and a delivery guy just came to my door and gave it to me! it shipped today and they gave me same day delivery. i kinda love this company now ;) time to make my rig!
 
Nice! I just ordered one too... shipping was 6$ for a single rod, very reasonable. EDIT: Shipping was 12$ for a single rod.... FYI!
 
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greeches said:
Nice! I just ordered one too... shipping was 6$ for a single rod, very reasonable.
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yes it is! but can someone help me find a way to drill 15mm holes in plastic? i dont have a 15mm drill bit and i cant seem to find one anywhere. also I dont want to wait forever to get one. any help on drilling them?
 
I don't know what you're making, but you probably don't want a 15mm hole. With 15mm rods, the hole is slightly larger, to allow the rod to fit. Then a slit is cut in the hole to allow it to collapse and grab the rod with the thumbscrew.

Use something just a bit larger.
 
I use k&s brass tubing from the hobby store. Its strong enough, light weight, and $2 per tube. It comes in 1/32 of an inch increments, I think 19/32 should do the trick.
 
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