The search for the right size eye bolt.

[Corvida]

I'm tying to get an eye ring on the end of an aluminum tube. 1.25" OD x 0.75" ID While I'd really like it to avoid dissimilar metals, at this point I'd settle for anything that will fit and survive salt water.

If anyone has a source or an idea I'd be very grateful. I've been searching high and low and finding nothing that is the right size.

[Hugh MacD]

What's your application? Could you just have a ring welded onto your tube? That's some beefy tubing!

[Canoeyawl]

Tap it with a common thread and weld a ring onto the head of a suitable stainless fastener?

[Corvida]

It's for replacement stanchions, that's why it's such a beefy tube. I'd like a ring for the top safety line.

I can tap some threads into or on the outside of them easily enough, but I don't have access to a welder.

I haven't picked them up yet, but looking at the measurements here: https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Coefficient-Structure-Technology-Thread，Size/dp/B07Q5GTCMB
The m14 is too small to get a bite, and the m16 seems too large to tap. So I'm still looking for a better solution.

Honestly I'll settle for an aluminum cap if I could find one that would fit right.

[Hugh MacD]

If you go with the SST eyebolts make sure you use a liberal coat of Tef-Jel on the contact surfaces. It'll help minimize the dissimilar metal issue.
https://www.tefgel.com/contain.php?param=tefgel_infor

[jpatrick]

Use a wood plug in the end of the aluminum tube. Fasten the eye-bolt with a nut on the bottom side of the plug. Secure the plug with epoxy or another tenacious glue, then further secure with a couple of aluminum rods through the tube walls and wood plug... these rods get peened on their ends to act like rivets. Use a durable, rot resistant wood for the plug. It can be a substantial thickness.

Jeff

[Corvida]

Use a wood plug in the end of the aluminum tube. Fasten the eye-bolt with a nut on the bottom side of the plug. Secure the plug with epoxy or another tenacious glue, then further secure with a couple of aluminum rods through the tube walls and wood plug... these rods get peened on their ends to act like rivets. Use a durable, rot resistant wood for the plug. It can be a substantial thickness.

Jeff

I'm liking this idea, except maybe with nylon or nylatron. There's some plastic tubing options that should be UV stable and would have a nice centered hole.