# Name of these plastic sleeves for square tubing? **URL:** \ **Category:** General\ **Created:** [July 28, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778 "2024-07-28T03:49:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HenrysWorkshop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/henrysworkshop/32/1763_2.png) [@HenrysWorkshop](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/HenrysWorkshop)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/1 "2024-07-28T03:49:18Z")
I’m sure I’m searching the wrong thing or calling it by the wrong term but I have a project in which I want to nest square tubing so that the inner piece can slide out and extend and I want to find the terminology or a source like a Grainger or Fastenal type place for them. (I already tried Harman Plastics and McMaster Carr and no joy) I want the square tubing to be quieter when being adjusted, to take up the excess space for a stiffer connection and for it to protect the paint or powder coating while it’s being moved. This is similar to what I’m looking for but it’s metric and I need SAE and a bulk source: [Robot or human?](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fitness-equipment-accessories-diameter-plastic-square-tube-sleeve/5502409714) ![IMG_20240727_204725](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/uploads/fireball/original/2X/5/50a0d6869aee479d03f0a1e25234f5e1846bee37.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Fireball\_Jason](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/fireball_jason/32/52_2.png) [@Fireball\_Jason](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Fireball_Jason)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2024, 5:04am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/2 "2024-07-28T05:04:41Z")
What size tubing? You could 3D print a sleeve. That way you can set the clearance you desire. ---
**Author:** ![HenrysWorkshop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/henrysworkshop/32/1763_2.png) [@HenrysWorkshop](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/HenrysWorkshop)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2024, 5:15am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/3 "2024-07-28T05:15:00Z")
I don’t have a 3D printer, but more importantly I’m after a bulk buy of a high quality part like that that will be made of something really durable like nylon. I’m using 1.5x1.5, 14 gauge square tube for the outside and I’m hoping to size the inner tube based on what I find on the market for sleeves, but ideally relatively close. ---
**Author:** ![Knick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Knick](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Knick)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/4 "2024-07-28T16:52:56Z")
I have never seen that setup before do you have a link for the metric ones? you are planning on cleaning the weld seam up on the 1.5" tube correct? What size will the inner tube be? How many are you thinking? ---
**Author:** ![HenrysWorkshop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/henrysworkshop/32/1763_2.png) [@HenrysWorkshop](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/HenrysWorkshop)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/5 "2024-07-28T17:39:02Z")
I’m surprised you haven’t seen it. I’ve got a ton of stuff around the house with sleeves like that. One of those pop up tents for picnics with adjustable legs has it, I’ve seen it on gym equipment, it’s on a telescoping arm made by RAM Mounts, there’s even one on a really cheaply made adjustable height tablet pedestal thing, they’re all over. If you check the posts above all the details are in there including a link to the sketchy Chinese ones in metric. The weld seams would have been removed prior to use. As for the question you asked that I didn’t answer yet: as long as they’re injection-molded somewhere in North America and not 3D printed I’d be interested in purchasing some samples for a couple of different tube sizes and types (starting with 1.5" square and 1"X2" rectangle) and experimenting, then a starting order between 50-100 with hopefully more to follow and an option to order more. ---
**Author:** ![Knick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Knick](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Knick)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2024, 11:28am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/6 "2024-07-29T11:28:51Z")
> [@HenrysWorkshop](#): > > I’m surprised you haven’t seen it. I’ve got a ton of stuff around the house with sleeves like that. Maybe I have seen them, but never paid any attention. Would be nice to find for imperial tube sizes. ---
**Author:** ![Gringo.Ironworks](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/gringo.ironworks/32/1827_2.png) [@Gringo.Ironworks](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Gringo.Ironworks)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 6:15am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/7 "2024-08-02T06:15:11Z")
maybe a trailer supply house ? torsion axles have sleave of heavy duty Ruber in them? or maybe find a junk trailer cut the axle into size specific peace’s then press out the pieces? ( it would appear my time is clearly worth nothing to me…) ---
**Author:** ![HenrysWorkshop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/henrysworkshop/32/1763_2.png) [@HenrysWorkshop](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/HenrysWorkshop)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 8:56pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/8 "2024-08-02T20:56:06Z")
I may be able to get a source for these. Post back if any of y’all would be interested and info on tube measurements in inches. ---
**Author:** ![Knick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Knick](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Knick)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2024, 10:49pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/9 "2024-08-02T22:49:11Z")
I don’t have any call for them now. Would be nice to know there available if I did need some. ---
**Author:** ![Rambozo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/rambozo/32/2202_2.png) [@Rambozo](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Rambozo)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 1:55am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/10 "2024-08-03T01:55:45Z")
They seem to be a lot more common for metric tubing. Is there a reason you don’t want to use metric tubing? > **[Search: 9 results found for "Sliding Sleeve"](https://kamway.com/search?type=product&q=Sliding%2BSleeve)** > > Kamway was established in 1985 providing quality gym equipment such as dumbbells, Olympic Bars and weights, accessories and parts at a wholesale cost. ---
**Author:** ![HenrysWorkshop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/henrysworkshop/32/1763_2.png) [@HenrysWorkshop](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/HenrysWorkshop)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 1:58am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/11 "2024-08-03T01:58:40Z")
I’m an American and none of the material even available to me is metric and I’ve no desire to use metric anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Hearn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/randy_hearn/32/2203_2.png) [@Randy\_Hearn](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Randy_Hearn)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2024, 4:11pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/12 "2024-08-04T16:11:40Z")
Search for square tubing slide inserts. But in reality, you need to source your tubing size first to determine the wall thickness and max height of each section of tube and determine the shear strength needed or rather the side load needed. After that you can determine if you need a tight fit between tubes or plastic. If you have a significant side load the load can easily crush any plastic and create a the opposite effect. Do a little research on Telescopic Tube and you can find the answers you are looking for. I have never used anything like you have posted as tighter tolerances were always used. And when considering the tolerances you also need to consider the tolerances of the coating. If the person doing the PC puts too think of a lawyer on, even those protectors are going to scrub it off. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Hearn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/randy_hearn/32/2203_2.png) [@Randy\_Hearn](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Randy_Hearn)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/13 "2024-08-04T16:23:14Z")
> [@HenrysWorkshop](#): > > I’m an American and none of the material even available to me is metric and I’ve no desire to use metric anyway. Metric/American is not really the issue. I have actually been involved with the ASME committee that clarifies that for US government contracts Imperial must be used. And it goes back to the Reagan years when he pulled the legislation to not go Metric for the Country. Bottom line, in Gov Contracts it is a manufacturing advantage for maintaining our own equipment in times of emergencies as other “axis” countries would need to convert tooling to Imperial from Metric and would take them longer to repair/replace parts needed to repair/restore equipment. Today, it is becoming less/less of an issue as I can enter a metric tool into a CNC machine and through software it interprets the appropriate offsets needed for the tool. So while I hate to go buy lumber/material when it is listed as metric, it really is as simple of dividing/multiplying by 24.5 to determine the correct conversion. Unless you are dealing with the tolerances of screw threads or clearance tolerances it’s generally not an issue. ---
**Author:** ![mRhAnKbOt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/mrhankbot/32/1438_2.png) [@mRhAnKbOt](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/mRhAnKbOt)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2024, 9:31pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/14 "2024-08-04T21:31:56Z")
> [@Randy\_Hearn](#): > > as simple of dividing/multiplying by 24.5 Works out even better when you use 25.4 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Hearn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/randy_hearn/32/2203_2.png) [@Randy\_Hearn](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Randy_Hearn)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2024, 10:43pm UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/15 "2024-08-04T22:43:07Z")
Well that explains a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Knick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Knick](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Knick)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/16 "2024-08-05T00:34:05Z")
So after all that, do you know of any of what he is looking for in imperial? ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Hearn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/randy_hearn/32/2203_2.png) [@Randy\_Hearn](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Randy_Hearn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 1:05am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/17 "2024-08-05T01:05:38Z")
See my previous comment where I posted the help first before I commented. So yes, I gave him what he is looking for and help. ---
**Author:** ![HenrysWorkshop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/henrysworkshop/32/1763_2.png) [@HenrysWorkshop](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/HenrysWorkshop)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 1:41am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/18 "2024-08-05T01:41:10Z")
Yep, sliding tube inserts is what I was looking for. Thank you! I just didn’t post a pair of tube sizes since I wanted to experiment a little with different coatings and tube sizes/shapes and figured it would be more helpful for someone reading the thread in the future to read a more generic question that might apply to their situation as well. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Hearn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/randy_hearn/32/2203_2.png) [@Randy\_Hearn](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/Randy_Hearn)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 1:57am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/19 "2024-08-05T01:57:35Z")
Understand. Depending on application I have seen people weld washers inside to fill gaps in tube sizes. ---
**Author:** ![HenrysWorkshop](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex036/user_avatar/fireball.discourse.group/henrysworkshop/32/1763_2.png) [@HenrysWorkshop](https://fireball.discourse.group/u/HenrysWorkshop)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2024, 4:13am UTC](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778/20 "2024-08-05T04:13:39Z")
It’s funny you mention that as I was thinking about several versions of welding spacers onto the insides. The only issue is I’m sure that would be just as likely to damage paint over time. I’m going to start playing with a few options soon. [Next page](https://fireball.discourse.group/t/name-of-these-plastic-sleeves-for-square-tubing/2778.md?page=2)