On 9/14/2010 11:37 PM, Patrick Barthelow wrote:
> Another post on the reflector recently asked about best alloys of aluminum to
> use in Ham/Amp related projects, a good question, that
> I dont know the answer to, just that I remember T-6 alloy is hard stuff.
It may be hard but it's relatively easy to form, holds its shape, and is
strong. It is used to form not only aircraft skins, but aircraft skins
that serve as structural members, or individual structure members
themselves. It's also relatively easy to tap, or press screw heads into
it...again I've forgotten the name of them. With skill the stuff can
even be formed into complex shapes, but that's beyond most of us here.
Too often people choose much softer grades that are easily scratched
and deformed.
73
Roger (K8RI)
>
> This is a tip to source sheet aluminum cheaply. Find your local Dep of
> Public Works, the Road Maintenance crew. Go directly to their coporation
> yard, or ask for their forman over the phone. Tell them you are a ham
> looking for some aluminum for a Hombrew project, and ask it they have any
> discarded road signs. It has been my experience that there is ofen a stack
> of old signs somewhere off in a corner of the shop, that never gets forwarded
> to recycling or whatever. The foreman, if he is a ncie guy, on a good day,
> may simply direct youto the aluminum pile or old sign stack in the back, and
> say take what you want. Leave him off a six pack of soft drinks or 807s an
> he will be your friend for a long time. It is amazing how big a stop sign
> is when it is set on your workbench. The signs' paint I saw were usually
> pretty old, and weathered, but the aluminum was often very good shape.
> Unfortunately so far is is usually hard and brittle so won't bend well, but,
> the sheet siz
es
> are substantial and the price is right. A little polishing or orbital
> sanding will get the aluminum to a nice surface sheen, and perfectly usable.
>
> Best Regards,
> 73, de Pat Barthelow AA6EG apolloeme@live.com
> http://www.cq-vhf.com/vhf_highlights/2010_vhf/2010_summer_vhf/2010_summer_vhf_echoes_barthelow.pdf
>
>
> MOONBOUNCE YURI'S NIGHT
>
>
>
>
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