The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

The control tubes ( that go thru the panel) on my airplane are pitted and with some rust spots. I did see an old thread where it was discussed about re-chroming, nickel plating and replacing with new titanium tubes. I see that John C. mentioned that he considered titanium but was not able to source the correct OD/ID. I don't have my calipers with me, but it looks like about .75 OD with a wall thickness of around .031

I found this company that lists a lot of different sizes and the price is very reasonable when you consider new tubes from Yingling at over $800.
https://store.tmstitanium.com/products/titanium-tubing/

Anyone have any experience with Titanium? Is there anything special about drilling it?

I've had them chromed, cadmium, and nickle plated but most recently the last 6 sets we've sent out have been "Hard Chromed" the parts book calls for chrome or cadmium but hard chrome will out last those two? and the finish is a satin look very nice. Bigger question is those tubular rivets at the yoke for the 47 and 48 with "D'" yokes. look those up and make sure your sitting down! PM me with questions Jeff

Thanks Jeff, yes I have a 49 A model and I hear those rivets are $80 each. But I also understand that lots of people use bolts instead.

What do you think about using titanium tubing? I borrowed a calliper and found OD is 0.75 and wall thickness of about .055 to .060

8474 wrote: ↑Mon Dec 30, 2019 7:51 pmI see that John C. mentioned that he considered titanium but was not able to source the correct OD/ID.

I did? It must be the Oldtimer's...

There a couple of guys on here that are parting out their airplanes.

Contact them and see if they have on in better shape than yours.

I have had pretty good luck with Todd 8385 with getting good parts.

Rick

by NC76220 » Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:53 am

I looked for Titanium tube the same dimension, but was unable to locate.

8342 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2020 4:30 am There a couple of guys on here that are parting out their airplanes.

Contact them and see if they have on in better shape than yours.

I have had pretty good luck with Todd 8385 with getting good parts.

Rick

Yes, I have dealt with Todd on a couple items, very good service at reasonable prices. Still looking at options to re-chrome/ nickel mine or convert to titanium.

6643 wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2020 8:08 am by NC76220 » Sat Feb 05, 2005 2:53 am

I looked for Titanium tube the same dimension, but was unable to locate.

Yes John, that was the post I seen. The website I posted has titanium in the dimensions that would work.....what do you think? Also I found 4130 steel on ACS with the exact dimensions, would just need to drill the holes and send that away to be chromed or nickel plated. I think mine would polish up ok before sending for a re-chrome as well.

Just not sure what the best option is.

If you start with the right dimension and then have it plated, it may end up too big...

I recall the early originals were cad plated. Later ones may have been nickle, I'm not sure.

I think the easiest course of action would be to have the originals re-plated.

Thanks John, so you don't think going titanium is a good idea? There would be lots of advantages such as no need to ever have it plated and no corrosion issues. I can buy a 36" length, enough for both sides for $60 plus shipping. I'm tempted to buy that just to try it out.