Current cost of tubing material

[Paul_B]

Hi, new guy here.  Considering doing an XL build and ran across an ad for a VR3 fuselage kit(includes pedals and landing gear) for $1500.  I don't know what it cost direct from VR3.  Can anyone give me an reasonable estimate on what I should expect to spend on that material from AS/Wicks? I might consider buying it if it's close.  Thanks for any info you can give.

[Kamcoman77]

All my 4130 tubing for an XL cost me $1057 from ACS. I started buying tubing in 2018 and my last purchase was in late 2024. No shipping charges since I live 30 minutes from ACS.

[Paul_B]

Thanks for the info.  Do you know what the price for 1/2"x0.035 was back in 2019?

[Kamcoman77]

3.85 per foot in August 2018. 3.65 per foot in December 2018. Most of my tubing was 0.035 x 5/8. Did not buy any 1/2" after 2018. In January 2019, 0.035 x 5/8 4130 was $4.13 per foot. In March of 2019 it went up to $4.35 per foot. In January of 2020 it was still $4.35. That is the last time I bought 0.035 x 5/8 tubing.

[JerryD]

You can go on Aircraft Spruce website and they show the price per foot for their 4130.

[Paul_B]

I do know that, but without a set of plans or at least an estimated materials list it's difficult for someone just looking into doing a build to come up with meaningful numbers.

[Kamcoman77]

I have a little over $8800 in my XL I have everything except the latex paint. $3100 of the total is my 1/2 VW, ignitions, and prop I built the engine myself.