Hey I wanna a porteur rack, where can I get some aluminum tubing?

I really wanna try make something like these paul comp flatbeds, are there any DIY stores or places that sell aluminum tubing? All the ones I went to just have copper or steel.
And google tells me all the big industry places are out of london.

1 Attachment

go find some old aerial that has square section tubing instead.... loads of old ones hanging about, especially now since the aerial is being phased out.

might be a bit nutty to suggest this but thats what first came to mind.

I know it's not London but I think it's mail order - http://www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk/Aluminium-Round_Tube/c120_131/index.html

I think aluminium stockholders are the people to look for

yeah thanks!! good idea about the aerial, Ive been keeping my eyes out for stuff in skips, only need about 2m so cant really order from a big supplier. might ebay some up but kinda a waste of money if it doesnt work :(

Yellow pages (if it still exists) for metal workers etc.

Just head down to your local industrial district and roll around, no problem finding stuff like that in Brum. Im sure london as manufacturers & suppliers.

Although Id be tempted to make it out of something fancier to keep weight down. True temper make high end golf club shafts...

I just looked them up and guess where they are?

True Temper UK/Europe

Tucker Fasteners Ltd.
Walsall Road
Birmingham B42 1BP, England
Telephone 0121-331-2276
Fax 0121-331-2286

Reynolds is based here too, as well as loads of small firms.

Innit... Brooks (if you class west brom as brum) is not far from my yard

yeah I guess thats what I was asking, if anyone knew any industrial area around london where there's wreckers or metalcraft supplies.

B&Q. No probs.

perfect! thanks!!!

thought i might post a pic of my finished rack. I dont think this one will last long, im gonna make a second version with a slightly different design that will use thicker aluminium. Hopefully will still be light. (I know loading up a spinergy isnt a good idea, im building some drumbrake wheels for this bike)

hey skulls.....looks wicked.....do you have any drawings/plans....or did you just make it up as you went along?
If you have some plans i would love to see them......

that's come out pretty well.

But how are you going to barspin now?

that looks pretty good skulls. You need to get hold of some cromoly.

think i spotted you in hyde park the other morning at the bottom of the cycle path bit, your bike made me smile. the rack has worked well. good work

Thanks people.
Yeah that was me. My bikes always seem to get funny looks, I was trying to make this one sensible :p Not quite there yet...
Its based on the Paul components one. Ill put some plans on my blog for the second version im working on, assuming it all works out and Im happy with it.

Well done that has come out really well. Is it just riveted together?

Where did you get your Alu from in the end? Sizes.

Your bike looks confused, don't get me wrong I like it but it looks confused.

yeah, bought a cheep pop rivet gun off ebay and pipe bender. Alu from Leyland SDM Dalston. They got a range of stuff, Im gonna use thick bigger stuff for next one.
Yeah the bikes just pieced together from bits of other bikes, its going to have 3speed drumbrake wheels and differnt bars/stem.

nice work skulls - looks very neat.

looks bang on

The only thing I'd be careful of is the fact that bending aluminum realy needed heat treating. Bending alu is very different to bending steel.

this is true, but the bent sections arnt really load bearing so it should be alright i reckon.

i take it the bungie cords are temporary, how do you plan on having it attached in the next version?

nice work, im gonna build one myself for the shopping run. its one of those things ive wanted for a while but didnt want to spend money on.

Looks really good for the first attempt, nice one. I'm intrigued to see how you evolve the design with the next version.

That bike will look sooooo much better/more complete with your new wheels on there. Post up some pics when you get them!

bungies not holding anything together, the middle strip of aluminium runs down to the fork and is bolted where the front brake should be. (brake needs longer bolt to fit)

Rear wheels done, just need a 3 speed grip shift. anyone got one they dont want?

worked out about £30 in materials which was more than I wanted to spend on an experiment, but heaps cheaper than importing something.