Looking for brass tube circa 60mm OD

[Dog Star]

We have a need for several feet of large diameter / thin wall brass tube - the OD needs to be pretty well 60mm, the wall to be circa 28 swg... several feet means three or four pieces of 16" per piece.

I have tried several internet search strings with zero success - your suggestions as to how to ask the question of Google please.

Alternatively, how would you ask Google for an engineering company that could roll these pieces for me?

thank you, Graham

 

[SteadyRed]

We have just has new biomass boilers installed at work and I noticed for part of the install the installers used large diameter 50mm? copper tube. I will ask next week where it was sourced from.

Dave

 

[SteveB]

Hi Graham

Most copper and brass pipe in the UK is still imperial sizes, the nearest to what you want would be 2 3/8" dia (60.325mm). I suspect it might be hard to find. If you don't have any luck I'll try to remember to ask our non-ferrous supplier on Monday. I could probably put you into contact with someone who would draw is specially but I don't think you would want to pay the price. I had to get some specially drawn brass tube for a steam car whistle when I was doing restorations on a couple of Stanley's. I had little choice, it cost £00's and I ended up making 15 whistles to use up all the tube I had! I think I had to order 50 meters!

Regards

Steve

 

[Mike W]

You can get 60mm aluminium tube - no good?.

Could you anneal thin brass sheet and wrap it around a tube yourself, then solder the joint?

Mike

 

[Dog Star]

You can get 60mm aluminium tube - no good?.

Could you anneal thin brass sheet and wrap it around a tube yourself, then solder the joint?

There are brass etches to be soldered to the tube... and I do not wish to use epoxy.

I have the longest rolls which are offered by GW models and those rolls are too short hence my asking about getting Google to find an engineering company near to me.

 

[GrahamMc]

There are brass etches to be soldered to the tube... and I do not wish to use epoxy.

I have the longest rolls which are offered by GW models and those rolls are too short hence my asking about getting Google to find an engineering company near to me.

Try google with 'large diameter brass tube'? Sorry, don't know about small quantities or 'near you'.
Brass Tube - Holme Dodsworth Metals Ltd.
Brass tube stockists Middlesex – Brass tube supplier Middlesex – Brass cut tube supplier
They could probably put you in touch with someone they supply.

 

[Mike W]

Ah, understood.
Think my rolls, although long enough, won't go down that small, but will have a go and see.
I'd try google "metal fabrication" and your nearest town, and try some of them.
Mike

 

[unklian]

Try Home Page 2 - College Engineering Supply They list 2 1/4" and 2 1/2" but they may be able to get you the intermediate size .

 

[SteveB]

Hi Graham

I surprised myself by remembering to ask the question of our non-ferrous supplier today. Not good news I'm afraid, 2 3/8" diameter is not a standard size but it has been made years ago! He has a few contacts and is asking around to see if anyone has anything. It'll take a few days to get you an answer. He did say that it would be most unlikely to get it as thin as 28g, mostly likely is 16g. I'll let you know as soon as I know any more.

Regards

Steve

 

[simond]

Organ pipes....

More seriously, it would be possible to turn up a wooden former around which a tube might be soldered, but that doesn't sort out the rolling problem. Would an assembly of shorter tubes, maybe silver soldered together, be a solution?

Best
Simon

 

[Dog Star]

... it would be most unlikely to get it as thin as 28g, mostly likely is 16g.

Thank you for asking... 16swg is too thick given the job in hand, 26 or 28swg is the desired thickness. Added to which, 16swg is going to be so heavy compared to 28swg that the price is likely to bigger than my pocket.

... it would be possible to turn up a wooden former around which a tube might be soldered...

I think that is going to be part of the solution... a route to a former may have been found.

Would an assembly of shorter tubes, maybe silver soldered together, be a solution?

I understand the approach... and not suitable given (a) my abilities and (b) the surface finish needs to be flush / smooth from end to end.

All - since the responses to my original query I have had an opportunity to discuss this topic with Mr. Paul Penn-Sayers (@Locomodels) and that discussion has amended my original thought process:-

* a desirable OD for the tube is circa 59mm, I know now that 60mm is too large;
* a thin wall is desirable as there are 12 thou etches to be soldered onto the side wall of the tube;
* the responses to date indicate strongly that rolling a tube is the most practical and cost effective way forward.


So for now I shall be looking for an engineering company, near to Basingstoke, that can roll some tube to size.

thank you, Graham

 

[SteveB]

Hi Graham

If you can't find anyone local to you then you would be welcome to pay us a visit and use our rolls. They're 2" dia and will accommodate 16" lengths. They're generally used for steel but the condition of the rolls is still quite good. Our factory is located in Daventry, so a fair way to come. It just depends on how desperate you get.

Regards

Steve