Looking for cheap 1.5" metal tubing for a project

[TAG]

I'm on the hunt for inexpensive 1.5" metal tubing.  Ideally with a chrome finish, but not required, but do need a decent metal looking finish (not rusted, painted or too banged up).  I'm thinking conduit might be the cheapest route if I can find some 2nd hand, it also looks like top rail for chain link fence comes in 1-5/8", that might work for me also.  Any other thoughts or leads on a stash?  I need about 90' in total that will be cut down to lengths between 42" & 65"

Thanks,

Tim

[Joseph Gossman]

Don't know what you're using it for, but PVC painted with one of the formulations made for plastic would probably be more cost effective.  And you can get the paint in all kinds of metallic finishes - chrome, satin, hammered and in multiple colors.  Just a thought.

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[Tim Gillespie]

Hmm, I just watched a youtube video on how you are actually supposed to play the thing and turns out you are supposed to hit the cap.  Who knew.  Guess the tubes could be plastic and just use metal caps.

On Thu, Jul 24, 2025 at 9:45 AM Tim Gillespie <gillesp...@gmail.com> wrote:

Basically I want to make a visual replica of orchestral bells/chimes that also functions as a MIDI controller to trigger samples of the real thing.  For simplicity sake, I was planning on running each tube to a pulled up GPIO on a Arduino/Teensy and have the mallet grounded, so that the mallet coming in contact with a tube would essentially be a switch.  I don't need velocity sensitivity or anything, just on/off, and the tubes will be dampened so they make minimal sound on their own.  Using metal tubes would make implementation a bit simpler I think, with PVC I'd either need to add a conductive landing pad or implement the triggering in a different way.  

P.S.  I'm fully aware this is somewhat ridiculous, and a sane person could just use a midi keyboard, but this would look so cool!  

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/lvl1/CAMe_ZS3vOzLZfLV9FZj7UOWptfe5hCn5qg-pfn%3D6s8DfTUCctw%40mail.gmail.com.

[Tim Gillespie]

Basically I want to make a visual replica of orchestral bells/chimes that also functions as a MIDI controller to trigger samples of the real thing.  For simplicity sake, I was planning on running each tube to a pulled up GPIO on a Arduino/Teensy and have the mallet grounded, so that the mallet coming in contact with a tube would essentially be a switch.  I don't need velocity sensitivity or anything, just on/off, and the tubes will be dampened so they make minimal sound on their own.  Using metal tubes would make implementation a bit simpler I think, with PVC I'd either need to add a conductive landing pad or implement the triggering in a different way.  

P.S.  I'm fully aware this is somewhat ridiculous, and a sane person could just use a midi keyboard, but this would look so cool!  

On Thu, Jul 24, 2025 at 9:21 AM Joseph Gossman <jmgo...@gmail.com> wrote:

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[Joseph Gossman]

Looks like an elaborate wind chime!  

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[Matt B.]

Fun project! I’d echo the suggestion of PVC and either use vibration sensor switches (low/no logic needed) or a very cheap and basic accelerometer (logic + code but very tunable and you could utilize it for velocity sensing if you might change your mind on that). 

For basic vibration sensor switches all 20 of them together should be under $20 from mouser, digikey, or even adafruit. Which sensitivity switch to buy, however, might need testing or planning. Medium sensitivity example: 

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/adafruit-industries-llc/2384/7244952

You’ll want to debounce with those or especially a raw contact switch like you’re planning.

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