A&P 121 tubing

[ulpilot]

I'm thinking of making a production run of A&P 121 tubing that is used for wing trailing edges on Sopwith planes. Right now I'm asking to see what kind of interest there is for it.

It will be made from 4130 steel, with .028 wall thickness. Lengths will probably be 10ft.

Price will depend on the total amount of orders I have. But here is an idea what the price range could be.

If total orders add up to 50ft, the cost would be $6.00/ft.
100ft the cost would be $5.00/ft
Total of all orders add up to 1000ft or more the cost will drop to $4.10/ft.


If your interested let me know how much you might want. If there are enough people willing to commit I'll set up to do a run.

[Omega]

Count me in for a Camel sized batch. I think 100ft.

Koz

I'll commit to another 100' batch.

I think 10' lengths would be easy enough to manage for long term storage. If I recall, the longest straight run on the Baby is 6', so this is a good (if early) opportunity for me then.

The top center section uses AP 121, as do the ailerons. I had thought that maybe they were able to bend the mild steel under heat in a jig, what should I do about 4130 then?

Let me know the particulars.

[Nick]

Hi Ulpilot,
Would you be doing this in the next 6 months? If so I'd be interested in 120 ft in 10 ft lengths.

Cheers, Nick

[ulpilot]

Right now I have people interested in a total of 420ft. That brings the price down to $4.25/ft plus shipping.

I'm in the middle of recovering my Cub wings. If everyone can wait I'll plan on doing a run by the end of March. I'll pm those that are interested in the next couple of days.

['14-'18aviationcollector]

Hi, I am very interested such an offer, in theory at least and admittedly probably not straight away, but it is great to see such items becoming increasingly available for projects.

I have a question. I have plenty of Sopwith factory drawings - in fact I have some with me. I am currently travelling so I don't have ready access to most of my collection just now, but I just realised that I should have some drawings which will give me the answer. When I get home I will have a look and find the answer for myself, but surely the original tubes would have been mild steel, is that correct? I have heard some stories about the harder steels / alloys / other metals being more prone to fatigue and failure than mild steel, which whilst soft is more flexible. Is this correct? As I say, please forgive me if I am completely off track, I will have a look at the factory drawings when I get back home - well, where I am staying that is.

I hope you don't mind me asking. Cheers,

David.

Originally Posted by '14-'18aviationcollector

I have heard some stories about the harder steels / alloys / other metals being more prone to fatigue and failure than mild steel, which whilst soft is more flexible. Is this correct? As I say, please forgive me if I am completely off track, I will have a look at the factory drawings when I get back home - well, where I am staying that is.

I hope you don't mind me asking. Cheers,

David.

David,

My suspicion is that I will have to squeeze a section of mild steel for the center section, I don't believe the 4130 will form the required curves.
I will use the 4130 sections for the straight portions on the wings.

['14-'18aviationcollector]

Hi Joe,

Thank you very much for the advice.

Are you making some too?

Cheers,

David.

Originally Posted by '14-'18aviationcollector

Hi Joe,

Thank you very much for the advice.

Are you making some too?

Cheers,

David.

David,

No, if UlPilot will make me the 100', I'll use his.

If I cant get it (4130) to form the center section, then I will squeeze M.S.T. to oval to do the job.

[ulpilot]

What is the minimum radius you need to bend the tubing? I could run some tests with 4130 to find the best way.

I have had difficulty in the past finding seamless thin wall mild steel tubing. I'll call some suppliers. Anyone have any sources?