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.

[Paul_B]

Good info. Thanks!  I was wondering if anyone was still building these.  All the build videos I've found on YT are kinda old.

[pappyadkins]

Tons of builders out there... I've been taking lots of request all the time because of my videos < https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQJ4PdLg1HhIjizdwjRzulc6B1alf8kPB&si=EbH0w6ccBhiXoGAZ > Let us know if you decide to start the build, we'll help any way we can...

[Paul_B]

Tons of builders out there... I've been taking lots of request all the time because of my videos < https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQJ4PdLg1HhIjizdwjRzulc6B1alf8kPB&si=EbH0w6ccBhiXoGAZ > Let us know if you decide to start the build, we'll help any way we can...

Thanks David.  I've already watched about half of your videos.  It's a great resource, thanks for taking the time to make them.

[Paul_B]

Found this in the Downloads section.  It was uploaded by Dan_ so I'm sure it must be pretty accurate. Ninety-five feet of 5/8 x 0.035  .  Wouldn't have thought it.

[Kamcoman77]

Once you get the XL plans you will see there is a lot more tubing needed than something like an Affordaplane.