4mm square (mild) steel tubi

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

I am thinking of making a 1/6th scale racing car – possibly a Lotus 23 or something of similar vintage – and would need to source a fair amount of 4mm square tubing to make the spaceframe chassis to scale. Extensive Internet research (i.e. Ask Jeeves) seems to suggest it's rarer than rocking horse manure. Unless anyone knows any different? Or, maybe you could suggest a suitable alternative, bearing in mind it will have to be brazed or welded?

John

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Would anyone know if you used soild?

J

[Chris GunnParticipant @chrisgunn36534]

Metalsmith can offer 4mm square brass tube, could you use this, once painted, no one will know.

Chris Gunn

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

K&S also do a 5/32 brass tube which is near as dam it 4mm

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

Having seen some of these scale models I believe they are made from a white plastic materiel which comes in tubes and squares and sheet and is very easily formed.

I have also seen scale airplanes made this way very realisticly with very fine detail.

Clive

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Thanks all, I knew you'd come up trumps! I think brass is probably the way to go, with the plastic in second place. I'll start making some enquiries next week.

Thanks, again,

John

[Brian WoodParticipant @brianwood45127]

Hello John,

I don't know where you live, but the Art Shop in Darlington has a display rack of just what you're looking for

Brian

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

Go with brass. You can solder it. K&S or Albion Metals (same stuff, slightly cheaper) is easy to source.

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Brian,

I'm in Lower Normandy, France, so it's a bit of a trek to Darlington, though I do get most of my metal from M-Machine there – by post to relatives in the UK, then pick it up next time I'm visiting. Tends to make for long lead-times on projects and advanced planning is required.

Chris,

I had a Google and K & S seem to be in Illinois, USA! One of my daughters flies for Virgin Atlantic, so, maybe next time she goes to Chicago ………?

I did think brass would be best, but I think I might investigate the plastic route a bit more, before I decide. I think I've seen it in a local toy shop.

John

Edit – searched for Albion (Alloys) and they are in Bournemouth – very handy for daughter #1 !!!  So I assume the Illinois K&S is not the one you're referring to, Chris.

 

Edited By John Hinkley on 28/01/2013 13:34:18

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

K&S is sold in may hobby shops such as RC and train outlets and I'm sure you could get it mailorder.

The plastic is called "plastistruct"

[Chris TriceParticipant @christrice43267]

John, where the stuff is made and who sells it are two very different things. Sony make their TV's in Taiwan. You'll find K&S or Albion Alloys in any number of model shops. The plastic sections Jason refers to is actually called Plastruct but there's an even bigger range of sections made by Evergreen, also made in the USA but found in all decent model shops.

You could try Avicraft Ltd for the K&S brass

**LINK**?

and for Evergreen styrene sections, Kit Form Services

**LINK**

TJD models stock both.

**LINK**

There are also a number of specialist suppliers to the model train enthusiast of very fine fully milled brass sections both decorative and architectural.

[Author]

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