Alum Pads

[Bootlegger]

   Mornin Guy's I am looking for some 6061 alum pads 3/16" thick by 3/8" wide.
  I am gonna drill and tap them to 4-40 threads so that I can change engines on my models.
  Any help sure would be appreciated,

[Bill Gruby]

 Gil;

  Go to any hardware store or Home Depot etc., they sell what you are looking for in 4 to 6 foot lengths. It is not expensive and one 4 foot length makes a lot of pads.

  "Billy G" 

  If you cannot locate what you need, let me know and I will send you some 6061-T6 for your needs.

[Jim Oliver]

I bought some of the aluminum from the hardware store---OK for pads, but it seems fairly soft to be 6061.

Check with your buddy at the local airport for scraps of actual aircraft aluminum---my buddy lets me pick out what I need from his scrap box.


Cheers,
Jim

[Bob Reeves]

I use the hardware store 1/8 inch but instead of taping the aluminum I use counter sunk 4-40 screws from the back and use lock nuts on the engine lugs. Works fine and don't need to track down harder aluminum. You can cut it with just about any saw you use to cut wood. I use my band saw to cut strips 3/8 inch wide from 2 inch stock.

[SteveMoon]

Bootlegger: We have exactly what you are looking for at Ultra
Hobby Products. I've been mounting my engines this way
for 15 years. We sell the pads for $4.00/pair.
www.ultrahobbyproducts.com

Thanks, Steve

[Mike Spiess]

Steve love the new web site

[SteveMoon]

Thanks Mike!

[Pinecone]

I normally order my Al liket his from Aircraft Spruce, www.aircraftspruce.com

I would think that 2024 would be better for this application.

[Randy Cuberly]

I normally order my Al liket his from Aircraft Spruce, www.aircraftspruce.com

I would think that 2024 would be better for this application.

I agree...
2024 is approximately 25% higher in tensile strength and would be better for this application but sometimes is not as easy to find in all sizes as 6061 which would be OK.
The aluminum typically carried by common Hardware stores is construction grade 1100 series and while it's very corrosion resistant it's not very strong.  Tapped holes in 1100 wouldn't take much load.

Randy Cuberly

[john e. holliday]

So far myself I have not had the 4-40 threads strip out on my ACE Hardware aluminum.  DOC Holliday

[don Burke]

Did a search of material properties.

1100 alum runs 15-24,000 psi tensile yield strength
6000 alum 16-36000 tensile

Marginally better depending on temper.

The hardware store stuff is adequate but so much easier to find than 2024 or 7075!  When mounting an engine I use at least 3/16 thick to get good thread engagement. 

[Pinecone]

2024 is in the 40,000 - 60,000 range.

Not hard to find, just order from Aircraft Spruce or Online Metals.

3/16" x 1/2" is $7.10 per foot from Aircraft Spruce.

[Jim Kraft]

I use 1/8" steel on most of mine. I generally need the nose weight anyway.

[Bill Gruby]

 Bootlegger;

  Watch your mail  6064 on its way.

  "Billy G" 

[Mike Spiess]

I use 1/8" steel on most of mine. I generally need the nose weight anyway.

I seem to be in that same catagory.

[Bootlegger]

     Thank You "G" man. Sure did njoy th conversation wit  ya'.
  Lookin 4 ward 2 th' goody's...