[Leo.G (Leo)]

I want to buy some aluminium tube to make some light, custom extension tubes for my stupid interests. While pipe sells on ID tube sells on OD. I don't want to machine solid alloy because that's just throwing a lot of material I have to pay for away. Though when I get to designing and machining my own focuser that will be different but I have to set the milling machine up before I even consider that.
As for extension tubes I can get tube with a 57.15 (OD) x 5.38mm (Wall thickness). This will give me a 46.36mm ID and not wasting too much taking it out to 2 inches. I can machine that down to a precise 2" internal and make my own top collar, I'll be buying a suitable length of 6060 or 6061 60mm solid round aluminium bar as well (screw on, I can't see well enough to TIG the aluminium, I have the equipment, not the sight).
I won't be buying the 6 metre length at $360, I'll buy maybe 1 metre to have plenty for what I want to play with (no, not a 1 metre extension, extra material to play with later).
Can anyone recommend anything better?
For my application I think my own custom made would be a lot cheaper than finding varying lengths and having slop in the train which I currently have..


EDIT: I just found the supplier in Bathurst (Edcon steel) has 60 x 5 tube, that gives me 50mm ID and minimal machining, $207 +GST for a 6.5M length. I'd use it for other crap I'm sure.

And I forgot about machining the OD down to 2 inches one end to fit into the 2" focus tube, back to the drawing board.......