I need to securely mount a 2" diameter tube to a flat surface. I first thought of removing some material in areas and welding in a flat piece but wasn't too sure that I could get all 6 flat mounting surfaces in the same plane. So after some internet searching, I thought of having a tube fabricated. It would need to look like this:



The tube thickness can vary, up to say .125", but the other dimensions need to be close to those listed. The length that I need is 72" but would be willing to get more if there is a minimum length of a single tube (16-20'). It would have to be cut though for easy shipping. Finally, I'd like it to be nickle plated.

Anybody do this kind of work, know of someone who does or have a shop that does this nearby? Since I'm not too familiar with this process so I don't know if companies require that I buy a truckload or I can just have one tube made. I also don't want to spend a truckload of money.

Thanks

Honestly, any good welding and fabricating shop would better serve your needs, IMO. The local fabricator welder I use could easily mill out 6 spots and TIG weld flat plates in, then send it out for plating for much less than to have a custom tube manufactured.

True custom tube manufacturing would require new dies and mandrels, which would way outstrip the cost of a single pice of fabricated tubing as above.

A fab shop would also be able to punch or drill any holes you might need at the same time.

If there are no good weld/fab shops in New England (lol), feel free to contact me and I'll have it quoted here.

Personally, if I didn't know any good welders, I'd look to a custom bike shop.

There'* several welders at the race track that have good reputations. I'll run the idea by them next week.

Thanks

If you get stuck, my brother-in-law is good metal worker/welder. Let me know.

Thanks Karl. I'll let you know. Do you know what types of machining capabilities he has? Bridgeport milling machine, CNC, water jet, etc? This is mostly for future reference.

He'* an excellent welder (can weld aluminum) and I know he'* got a decent size break, a small press, and a plasma cutter. He'* been making some Jeep parts, 4wd trucks, and he makes killer homemade bumpers... he also travels occasionally. Good guy if you need a part made.