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Here's a link to buiding a waveguide using a downspout instead of aluminin square tubing.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~clark/FreeNet/Waveguide/index.htm#Downpipe

Originally posted by sparafina
Here's a link to buiding a waveguide using a downspout instead of aluminin square tubing.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~clark/FreeNet/Waveguide/index.htm#Downpipe

looks interesting. have you tried it?

Originally posted by lincomatic
looks interesting. have you tried it?

Nope, just found the link yesterday.

I've tried building one using trevor marshalls plans using aluminum tape and foamcore board that I had laying around. It was failure because the foamcore was not rigid enough.

The next plan was to make my own square tubing using sheet metal and a homemade sheet metal brake using some angle iron and a hydraulic jack that I had lying around. The brake worked fine for bending small pieces, but didn't do so well with a 36" piece of sheet metal. So back to the drawing board.

I've always thought using a downspout was possible but I haven't found smooth downpipe (without the fluting) at the local hardware stores, yet.

I recently saw a sitewhere they made some nice waveguides like that from two flat pieces of sheet aluminum. They machined the slots on a CNC router (!) and then bent them on a sheet metal brake, and finally TIG welded the two halves together. Might be cheaper to simply buy one, unless you've got access to a shop...

As for procuring the aluminum, I've scored some pretty exotic chunks of metal at local recycling yards, they usually charge by the pound.

Originally posted by peekitty
Might be cheaper to simply buy one, unless you've got access to a shop...

As for procuring the aluminum, I've scored some pretty exotic chunks of metal at local recycling yards, they usually charge by the pound.

Yes buying one would be much easier, but what's the fun in that? For me its about learning and experimentation. You're right about going to a scrap yard, its matter of finding the time.