Long coupler

[BDB]

I'm looking for a 16" coupler for a LOC 4" tube. I can't find anything longer than 8", besides the full-length couplers from ARR. Is that my only choice for something like this?

 

[MikeyDSlagle]

Are you gonna use it as a coupler or something else.
Maybe get two pieces and join them with a loc stiffener inside or a piece of bodytube outside?

 

[Wayco]

Balsa Machining has 3" coupler listed, they might have something bigger.

 

[BDB]

Are you gonna use it as a coupler or something else.
Maybe get two pieces and join them with a loc stiffener inside or a piece of bodytube outside?

The plan is to make an AV bay that can be opened without unwiring everything. Here is my back-of-the-napkin design. The stiffener is a good idea, if nothing else is possible.

Balsa Machining has 3" coupler listed, they might have something bigger.

Thanks. I forgot to look at BMS.

 

[T-Rex]

Can't say for sure, but more than likely if you call LOC or Madcow, one of them will be able to sell you a 34" length, or possibly a custom cut piece.
Performance Hobbies has a 34" on their LOC list but it shows out of stock......
Wildman has it on his PML list in 34" pieces, but I am not sure if it would mate with regular cardboard tube....
YMMV

 

[GregGleason]

Contact LOC directly to see if they can fill a special order from their stock. At worst you are no less for the wear. At best you have exactly what you need.

Greg

 

[Nytrunner]

Brainblast (or brainfart depending on outcome): Since your internal bay splits open, What about using normal airframe tubing? You'll have to cut it anyway, and it may be easier to get than specific "coupler tubing"

 

[Cl(VII)]

Some tubing will not want to be exactly round anymore once cut. Blue tube is this way, and may make it hard to get a good seal around your bulkheads. That flex could allow a bulkhead to pull down into the sandwich if force is applied in that direction. Perhaps a hatch style opening in your electronics bay could alleviate some of this, i.e. instead of sliced completely in half have a door in the bay. This would still be compatible with your removable coupler also.

 

[BDB]

I have been thinking about this too. I suspect that I'll need to cut two couplers. Otherwise the saw kerf will prevent the coupler from being round. But I hadn't really thought about the structural issues that this could cause. If I'm going to do this, I definitely need to design something to compensate for the lost strength.

 

[les]

After slitting lengthwise, I would look into using another coupler. Cut some strips lengthwise and bond on the inside. This will provide a lip for mating the 2 halves and improve the strength at the joint.

 

[Cl(VII)]

I have been thinking about this too. I suspect that I'll need to cut two couplers. Otherwise the saw kerf will prevent the coupler from being round. But I hadn't really thought about the structural issues that this could cause. If I'm going to do this, I definitely need to design something to compensate for the lost strength.

Maybe a couple of thin wooden (or 3D printed) half moon rings inside the coupler to help it keep shape? In a 4" tube you should have plenty of spare diameter for reinforcement.