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Where to source profiles / oval tube / ("flat tubes" ) for wishbones ?
Andrzejsr - 29/6/24 at 09:23 AM

Hello , where can I source oval steel tube for wishbone fabrication ? I know McGill shop but seems they only have round tubes.

I am looking for sth like that :

https://www.adr-engineering.co.uk/images/shop/1285772025.jpg

TIA!

40inches - 29/6/24 at 10:22 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Andrzejsr
Hello , where can I source oval steel tube for wishbone fabrication ? I know McGill shop but seems they only have round tubes.

I am looking for sth like that :

https://www.adr-engineering.co.uk/images/shop/1285772025.jpg

TIA!

https://www.metalsupermarkets.co.uk/product/mild-steel-oval-tube-black/
https://www.themetalstore.co.uk/products/3-metre-lengths-flat-sided-oval-tube
https://www.metals4u.co.uk/materials/mild-steel/mild-steel-tube/oval-tube

Rod Ends - 29/6/24 at 11:10 AM

https://proformancemetals.co.uk/oval-wishbone-project-bs4t45-to-bs5t100-steel-tube/

Andrzejsr - 29/6/24 at 11:32 AM

Thanks for links!

Andrzejsr - 29/6/24 at 11:32 AM

Thanks for links!

JoelP - 30/6/24 at 12:47 PM

I don't really get why people use oval tube? The aero benefits are going to be outweighed by the fact that round is stronger than oval by equivalent weight, surely? Is it just aesthetic?

Andrzejsr - 1/7/24 at 06:11 PM

In my case - its needed (oval) as round would restric wheel droop.


One more question- is the "normal" steel (235) 1,5mm wall enough for wishbone ? some people suggest me to use Cro-Mo steel (roughly 4-5 times more expensive than "mild steel" (do I assume right that mild steel it the seame as 235 type steel? As I understand its not only due to material, but also reforming round to oval tube shape.

loggyboy - 1/7/24 at 07:51 PM

Why not elliptical?
looks even cooler, and probably more strength https://www.ovaltubesuk.com/oval-erw-mild-steel-tubes/

Andrzejsr - 2/7/24 at 08:25 PM

Looks nice, but again in my case , I need to weld some tubes to flat portion of "oval tube" so flat surface is good to have.

obfripper - 3/7/24 at 09:23 AM

If you're looking at profomance metals, they do t45 oval which is similar tensile strength to cro-mo(4130), but doesn't require normalising after welding.
It is pricey, but you save on not having to have a furnace to carry out the normalising or paying someone else to do it.

Dave

Andrzejsr - 3/7/24 at 07:08 PM

Yes it is more expensive approx 33GBP vs 7GBP for 500mm lenght 30x15mm piece.

I was not aware about "normalising" , I want to order welding in specialist service, hope they know that ,will ask, thank You!

obfripper - 3/7/24 at 08:49 PM

It is not an issue with the mild steel or t45, only the chrome-molybdenum alloys like 4130 needs normalising after welding, without normalising the chrome-molybdenum alloys are no stronger than mild steel in the heat affected zone and more likely to crack in that area.

Dave