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Source for raw materials

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 1:32 pm
by fastj22
Plans builders,
I'm thinking of a non-sonex project that needs some of the channels and Zee stock we used in our kits.
I can't find them on ACS or Wicks. I do see them on the Sonex store but would like to check other sources.
Where did you get these items for your build? Buy from Sonex?

Re: Source for raw materials

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 1:44 pm
by kmacht
I think that sonex bends their own stock but I could be wrong. If you wanted to get creative I know a number of people have successfully built and used the sheetmetal brake that one of the original zenith builders designed. For aluminum it works really well, requires no welding, and can be made fairly inexpensively.

http://www.cannedhamtrailers.com/pdfs/d ... eplans.pdf

Keith
#554

Re: Source for raw materials

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 3:16 pm
by fastj22
kmacht wrote:I think that sonex bends their own stock but I could be wrong. If you wanted to get creative I know a number of people have successfully built and used the sheetmetal brake that one of the original zenith builders designed. For aluminum it works really well, requires no welding, and can be made fairly inexpensively.

http://www.cannedhamtrailers.com/pdfs/d ... eplans.pdf

Keith
#554

Good point. Could build one for the cost of shipping of one of those pre-bent sticks. A friend who's building a CH601 has one of those. Wonder if he'd part with it?

Re: Source for raw materials

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 4:13 pm
by Bryan Cotton
Are you active in a chapter? Maybe you could get some folks to pool their resources and buy a brake. There is no joy like the joy that comes from having an 8' Tennsmith. Although, it is better if you have access to it and don't have to store it.

Re: Source for raw materials

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 4:56 pm
by Fastcapy
The stuff in the Sonex kits is custom bent by the same vendor who does the laser cutting. They are made custom for Sonex, made to Sonex specifications/prints. So it is unlikely you will find the same stuff at ACS, Wicks, Etc.

Your options are buy from Sonex, buy raw stock and bend it yourself, or my favorite, bend the easy ones yourself and buy the more difficult to fabricate pieces from Sonex.

Re: Source for raw materials

PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:38 pm
by fastj22
Fastcapy wrote:The stuff in the Sonex kits is custom bent by the same vendor who does the laser cutting. They are made custom for Sonex, made to Sonex specifications/prints. So it is unlikely you will find the same stuff at ACS, Wicks, Etc.

Your options are buy from Sonex, buy raw stock and bend it yourself, or my favorite, bend the easy ones yourself and buy the more difficult to fabricate pieces from Sonex.

Thanks for the info. I'll stop looking for it and decide to bend or buy.