Turbine exhaust tube

[cyberhoops]

Any thoughts out there on a good way to build a turbine exhaust tube? I am building a 1/10th scale version of the 1985 Miss 7-Eleven, but I am stuck a bit on how to create a decent looking exhaust tube.

My only concept to this point is to try to bend some thin sheet aluminum into a round shape ... but it would then only be semi-round and I am not sure how I would attack soldering or otherwise make a tube.

The real boat also had a strap or something around the tube that would be nice to approximate in the model.

[CornelP]

One think I do for aircraft models is build the part in plastic (ABS) and cover in aluminium foil (kitchen foil...) once glued it can be buffed and polished. it looks perfect this way... Another way is to paint using ALCLAD paints, they give stunning results!!
Take a look at this article here:

http://www.aircraftresourcecenter.com/tnt1/101-200/tnt137_BMF_Popojan/tnt137.htm

Plenty of ideas in the tools'n' tips section

[NitroVal]

Some sheet aluminum or stainless would be my only guess. You could maybe practice with soda cans- just cut off the ends, slice it down the middle and flip it inside out. Im not sure how good your metal working skills are, but the option to soldering or welding would be a groove joint

[teach]

The strap would be VERY easy to duplicate using an axle boot strap from a front wheel drive car. If you need I can rob one out of one of our kits and flop in the mail for you. Or if you want i can take a picture of it.

[Darin Jordan]

I used a dryer vent kit to make mine... just opened up the seam and rolled it to the correct diameter, and added some pop-rivits along the new seam...

I didn't go crazy with any polishing or additional details, but they could easily be added...

[AndyKunz]

I have used Flight Metal (sticky-backed aluminum) onto Estes rocket body tubes.

Andy

[egneg]

How about a chrome plated pipe for a sink drain - just cut to length.

[cyberhoops]

Excellent stuff guys... thanks.

I think I will go with the rocket tube and either aluminum foil or the Flight Metal method as covering. I found phenolic rocket tubes in various diameters so it would be a sort of plastic tube as the base. (which should be fairly water resistant.) Now I just need to double check my plans to select the proper diameter.

[domwilson]

I read somewhere where someone was using an aerosol can (deodorant) to make a tube.

[Darin Jordan]

Just watch the weight... plastic can be heavy. The aluminum ducting tubing I used only weighs a few grams...

[ericmcrory]

I made mine out of a dryer vent at Home Depot ($2.97). I first made a template out of heavy paper to get the size correct, then traced it onto the aluminum, then cut out with a pair of tin snips. The seam was first cut out of the tube and flatenned. I epoxied the tube into a hole into he deck then cut off the portion that extended below the deckline. I polished by sanding to 1000 grit then used aluminum polish to get the final finish. Narrow stainless steel hose clamps can be used to make the straps you were referring to; they can be bought at West Marine for a few bucks. Cut off the screw tightening mechanism and cut to length.