cut and sleeve
Moderator: Team
cut and sleeve
I want to narrow a rolling walker, plan to cut the 7/8" tubes in the middle and use larger diameter tubes for sleeves on the outside, the tubing specs say I would have .009" clearance between the tube diameters, would I need to use shims? maybe just pinch the outer sleeve? I don't want to leave it at a welder for a couple of days wait
Re: cut and sleeve
Don't raise the bridge, lower the water . If the aluminum is soft enough you could expand the ends of the original tubes a bit. You could test with the piece you cut out, to make sure it won't crack. I used this tool from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077RT3D79 picked at random because it was the cheapest at the time with copper and plastic tubing and it worked ok. It says it goes up to 7/8" so it should just work for you. You will have to go around a few times to keep the tubing round. A better style of tool would be one like this: https://www.amazon.com/Wostore-Expander ... 07W4JMW7M/ which would keep the tube rounder, for more $$. Both of these will only expand the first inch or so of tubing, and there are lots of examples of both styles, including hydraulic versions on Amazon to choose from. If you have a lathe you could make a simple swaging tool like this: https://www.amazon.com/HAUTMEC-Swaging- ... 071G2ZCQ2/ and tap it in gently with a hammer and some lube. Just take it out several times to make sure it doesn't get stuck .
Carl Ijames, chemist not engine builder
carl ddott ijames aatt verizon ddott net
carl ddott ijames aatt verizon ddott net