Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Where should I look for cheap aluminum bar for use in aeromods ?

Cd · 03-11-2023, 10:05 AM

I am creating an AeroCivic clone of sorts ( not nearly as efficient, since mine is an automatic )
I was using aluminum trasition strips used for flooring to build the internal structure.
Aluminum bar, like Mike used on the Aerocivic has gone up considerably, and is now WAY out of my buget.

When I started this project, a 6 foot piece of transition strip was $7.
Until recently, they were $11.
They are now $ 14.
This is through Lowe's.

Looking online shows a huge variation in pricing.
One joke of an example is through Sears ( Aren't they dead ? ) with a SINGLE piece of 6' transition strip selling for $43 before taxes and shipping.
I see other sellers that have transition strip for cheap, but they get you with shipping.

Ideally, I'd like to find aluminum bar, since it is much stronger than flimsy trasition strips.

If any of you know of a good source, please share !

BTW, I am aware of steel conduit like 'Redneck' used on his excellent boattail.
Not only has the price skyrocketed on that, but it is also too large of diameter for what I need, since I have a flush mount system of segments that fit into each other.

Any other ideas for bracing would be appreciated as well !
-Thanks

03-11-2023, 10:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Cd Ultimate Fail Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Austin,Texas Posts: 3,585 Thanks: 2,872 Thanked 1,121 Times in 679 Posts	Where should I look for cheap aluminum bar for use in aeromods ? I am creating an AeroCivic clone of sorts ( not nearly as efficient, since mine is an automatic ) I was using aluminum trasition strips used for flooring to build the internal structure. Aluminum bar, like Mike used on the Aerocivic has gone up considerably, and is now WAY out of my buget. When I started this project, a 6 foot piece of transition strip was $7. Until recently, they were $11. They are now $ 14. This is through Lowe's. Looking online shows a huge variation in pricing. One joke of an example is through Sears ( Aren't they dead ? ) with a SINGLE piece of 6' transition strip selling for $43 before taxes and shipping. I see other sellers that have transition strip for cheap, but they get you with shipping. Ideally, I'd like to find aluminum bar, since it is much stronger than flimsy trasition strips. If any of you know of a good source, please share ! BTW, I am aware of steel conduit like 'Redneck' used on his excellent boattail. Not only has the price skyrocketed on that, but it is also too large of diameter for what I need, since I have a flush mount system of segments that fit into each other. Any other ideas for bracing would be appreciated as well ! -Thanks Last edited by Cd; 03-11-2023 at 10:11 AM..