ovalizing tubing

[Cliff McLeroy]

Has anyone squished the higher strength tubing such as 631, 853, Spirit, Life etc? I'm looking to do a single oval along the whole length of a toptube, turning a 28.6 tube into a 25.4h x 31.8w oval. I've done single-ended ovals with 4130 no problem, but was a little concerned about doing this with the higher strength alloys. Reynolds does have some oval toptubes, but what I want is between the small and medium profiles. If it's not a good idea, does anyone know of a good double butted 4130-ish toptube? It seems like the cromor line is either discontinued and no one is selling it. There's 525, but first hand has it as special order.

Thanks,

Cliff McLeroy

Watkinsville Ga.

[m-gineering]

631 is still pretty soft

> --
--
--
mvg

Marten Gerritsen
Kiel Windeweer
Netherlands

[Cliff McLeroy]

Marten,

Thanks for the reply. That's good to know. I've only worked with 1 853 tube and it was definite more difficult to cut and file. My gut feeling is to avoid heat treated, so I'm thinking 631 or Zona. I'm going to merge a 1.125" toptube with a seatlug for a 1" TT, and I want to keep the points. 

-Cliff