How to stiffen 1/2" aluminum tube?

[Reef Pilot]

Or if you want something really strong (but still small diameter) you could use 4130 chrome moly steel tube (also a common item at metal shops). We use that to hang 400 lb engines on the front of a firewall. You won't bend it though, but a good tig welder can do a nice job for you.

[Myka]

Thanks for all your input guys. I think I done screwing around with it though, and I'm just going to hang it from the ceiling. I'll have to go play in the attic...

[sphelps]

You give up too easily. Take some some of that extra aluminum tube and cope in a knee brace on each support, rivet it in for a clean look. A knee brace deceases L which is cubed in the formula I posted previously, or in other words it's the most important variable.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by sphelps

You give up too easily. Take some some of that extra aluminum tube and cope in a knee brace on each support, rivet it in for a clean look. A knee brace deceases L which is cubed in the formula I posted previously, or in other words it's the most important variable.

I don't have a rivet thingy. I Googled "aluminum tube knee brace" and I got medical equipment. Do you mean like the pic I posted above?

[intarsiabox]

Google "structural knee brace" and you will have your answer.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Google "structural knee brace" and you will have your answer.

:thumbs: Ah ok, yeah we were talking about this sort of thing already. I'm not sure I could make it look pretty. I'm a woodworker, not a metalworker.