[TowerTalk] aluminum mast

[Steve Jackson]

OK, I give up. 

I have been trying for DAYS to find a source of 2" OD, 0.375" wall 7075-T6
extruded aluminum tubing.

Nobody seems to have any.  I have called more than 9 places, from coast to
coast.  Only an Iranian website had any hope of providing this stuff, and
I'll be damned if I have to buy it from the Iranians.

I need at least a 16' long piece, and would take as much as 20' if I had
to, in order to get it.  I do not want to weld 2 pieces together.

I need the aluminum because I have a weight restriction, and steel is just
too heavy for my application.  I am fully aware that this material runs $40
a foot, versus chrome-moly 4043 at $20 or so.  

The aluminum weighs 2 1/4 lbs. a foot, and the steel is between 6 1/2 and 7
1/2 lbs. foot.  That's 36 lbs. versus 120 lbs.!  I'll pay for the aluminum.  

And yes, I am also aware that the yield strength is lower... 110 kpsi
versus 73 kpsi.  My calculations show I need 59 kpsi to survive a 90 mph wind.

Can anyone help with a source for this 'rare' pipe?

Replies via the reflector, or e-mail at sjackson@baynetworks.com, or
telephone 800-343-8977 ext. 29045.

TIA 73 Steve KZ1X/4



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