M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

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rogerse
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M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by rogerse » Thu Mar 30, 2023 2:33 am

Quick Question: I have made all the brackets for the skate rail but cannot find a supplier with a 4” I-beam with flanges that are close. Does anyone have a source for flat stock?

I have checked McMaster Carr... no dice!


judyronM
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Re: M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by judyronM » Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:51 am

Don't know of anybody that sells it. All those who made or make skate rails in the past, just mill it themselves. Taking standard I-beam and milling down the legs to the correct size. Needless to say you would need a good milling machine or a good shop.

Ron M.

rogerse
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Re: M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by rogerse » Thu Mar 30, 2023 4:17 pm

Okay-Thanks.

I didn’t want to spend all day cutting the flanges off on the band saw but if I must...

judyronM
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Re: M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by judyronM » Fri Mar 31, 2023 4:49 am

In this hobby, seems everything is a must. LOL

Ron M.

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Steve Greenberg
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Re: M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by Steve Greenberg » Fri Mar 31, 2023 5:30 am

Hello,
The M49 ring is the same material. If you can find 3 of them all you need to do is some cutting and bending. That is how I fixed the front part of my skate rail about 30 years ago!!!
Steve
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W. Winget
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Re: M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by W. Winget » Fri Mar 31, 2023 6:21 am

Have you discussed it with a local steel supplier? McMaster Carr is not at that level.
Go to a fabrication shop (Sheet metal, or Welding) They have actual data books with stuff the mill can provide.
When I needed 16-gauge wire in more than a garden roll for a batch of repro M1A1 Bazookas, I bought directly from the wire manufacturer and had a role shipped to a local business for pickup.
All the mill has to do is input the sizing for the rollers and out comes red hot railing to your dimension. Of course, it may also require buying several more yards of it for them to make a run, but you have to ask first.
V/R W. Winget
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Re: M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by Root » Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:02 am

There is one listed for sale, with brackets, on the M3 A1 Scout Car Facebook group.

judyronM
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Re: M3a1 Scout Car Skate Rail Unformed Stock Supplier

Post by judyronM » Fri Mar 31, 2023 7:09 am

Trying to find 3 gun rings would be harder than getting I-beam milled. Even more work to get them straightened out to us on the rear, front and sides.
They are worth more to sell as gun rings. $1200 to $1500 each.

Ron M.


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