Tube Mech machining question

[phantom552]

I was wondering if anyone had any inside info on the actual machining process used to create the "tube mech" style of mod, for example the Nemesis, Caravela, King, Stingray, etc.

Mainly, are they all usually machined from one solid piece of barstock, or are a few different pieces used (perhaps one for the tube(s) themselves, and another for the top cap, bottom cap, switch, etc.

Thanks in advance for any insights you guys may be able to provide!

 

[Vladiator]

I'm not a machinist but familiar with a process. I would say they use tube stock plus bar stock. It would be much faster and cheaper to take a couple of passes on a tube stock and cut the threads vs trying to hollow a solid bar. This is most likely what they do in production process. If you just want to make a one piece, and time is not a factor then it's up to you.

 

[JimmyDB]

This will also depend on the company (intelligence), machine availability and availability of base product. Some of my tubes appear to have been extruded and then machine finished on the inside and out to get a specific wall thickness (may not have been extruded by them, but I can't imagine them NOT buying tube stock if it was available)... I would dare say that some were simply extruded and only tap/die/machined as needed for threads etc.

 

[shortdraw]

Most mods are made from tube with the switch and end cap made from round stock. Very few are made from round billets (everything cut from one piece).

 

[phantom552]

That's pretty much what I thought, I only wish I knew where the tube is sourced from. I have plenty of solid round stock around that could be made to work, but thats a lot of time and material waste at the least. Calipered out a couple of my own mechs at lunch and came up with 22mm OD ~18.7mm ID ~1.6mm Wall being about average.

Time to start hunting I suppose, I have a lathe, mill, and brain just hell-bent on figuring this out haha.

 

[JimmyDB]

Is there an ALRO Steel near you? They deal in more than just steel.

You could also look them up and give them a call for a local company... I doubt they would care to share that given your distance...

or

MacRae's Blue Book
ThomasNet <dot> com

for a few examples to get leads.

 

[phantom552]

Unfortunately the nearest ALRO is Oklahoma, I know of a few local suppliers though. At this point it's just a question of whether or not I can find any tubing with those dimensions, or something that can be cut to those dimensions.

Thanks for the websites, looks like they could be pretty handy.

 

[JimmyDB]

Yeah, you can find something real close I figure... if not, all the more reason to talk to your local cold metal forming company

 

[homeuser6]

Stainless Steel 304L Seamless Round Tubing, 7/8" OD, 0.745" ID, 0.065" Wall, 36" Length | AmazonSupply.com

20x1 mm tap works perfect with this

 

[homeuser6]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...bum-php-albumid-7394-attachmentid-391400.html