Wayne Miller

I had a very difficult time finding carbon fiber (CF) shafts locally that are required to build the foamy R/C models (free plans available on the web).

After a lot of searching, I found that Wal-Mart has golf umbrellas in their sporting good department. These umbrellas have fiberglass shafts that can be used as a substitute for these tubes. They are slightly heavier than the CF tubes, but they are very stiff and the price is right. Best of all, they should be available locally to most modelers that are having problems finding the CF tubes.

These are the stiff fiberglass shafts that are used to support the roof of the umbrella.

Each umbrella has 8 of the 30 in.(762mm) by .155 in (3.9mm) solid fiberglass rods and 8 more of the 11 in (279mm) rods. Enough to make at least 4 models! The main shaft of the umbrella is .5 in (14mm) and there may be a use for it as well.

The umbrella that I purchased was $15.96, with the 2 inch shorter umbrella $12.96.

Please let me know if you find this useful, and if you know of any other substitutions that may be acceptable.

I have visions in my mind of the Wal-Mart people running out of umbrellas, and wondering what we know about the weather that they don’t!

Best regards,

Wayne Miller

Closterman

Look for kite shop. He use carbon and graphite tube to make kite. Lot of size to choose from and price are good.

Kaos Rulz

Might also try any place that sells archery equipment. (pawn shops, sporting goods stores, etc...) You can buy the C.F. arrow shafts in different diameters. If you only need short pieces, try an archery range. Many times you'll find what you need in their trash cans. I don't recommend "dumster-diving", but come-on - a trash can's OK isn't it? [sm=surprised.gif]

Jerry Ledford

My Feedback: (15)

You can find carbon fiber and fiberglass rod and tubes at great prices at www.intothewind.com Jerry

rajul

My Feedback: (58)

Try darrolcady.com

WILDCRASHWILLY

Lone Star Balsa has carbon fiber tubes. I just bought some from them.

WILDCRASHWILLY

Sorry, forgot to put the link in.

http://www.lonestar-models.com/

Flypaper 2

Still waiting for them to come out with square carbon fibre tubing for spars. Whoever does will have a goldmine.

Pilotx1

square cf tubing wont happen, the properties of cf prohibit it, the tubing will fracture at the corners if any torque is applied to it like when doing aileron rolls.

Wayne Miller

Hi,

I thought I should put an update here.

I played with the umbrell fiberglass supports and they do work well with the spadtothebone.com SPA3DX, but are too flexible for anything larger, such as the foamyfactory.com 3DX.

I'm still looking for substitutes. Currently I'm using arrow shafts.

Best regards,

Wayne Miller