Can Anyone Recommend a Better Source of Titanium Foil?

[David Gardner]

I used to get my Ti foil from Titanium Goat but the owner died.

I ordered successfully from Dutchware once earlier this year, but my most recent attempt failed. First package arrived 50% damaged and largely useless for making quality windscreens for the kits I sell. If I made a windscreen from this is would be a “factory second”:

This piece came rolled in a 2.5″ tube. Looks like they rolled by hand without using a smaller tube to start. Sharp bend about 1″ from the end and corresponding wrinkles in the following rolls.

So I re-ordered and paid for a bigger shipping box, but when it arrived earlier this week it was 100% damaged and useless. I emailed them with pictures and asked them to re-send, but they said it looked like the box had been crushed, gave up on me, and refunded my money:

Recommendations for a different source?

[Matthew / BPL]

Yikes. I’ve ordered it from Dutch a couple times without incident. That doesn’t help but a data point…

[Philip Tschersich]

I assume buying a length stove pipe material would result in an insufficient width? It comes rolled up and basically indestructible. Lots of sources of pipe foil out there like Seek Outside.

[Gary Dunckel]

I’ve purchased various types of titanium from Titanium Joe up in eastern Canada. The prices were fair, and he was a good guy to work with.

[Roger Caffin]

Hi David

There’s not much the matter with that Ti foil you showed. A few creases, but fixable. Don’t waste it!

Find a bit of smooth round pipe – not galvanised!, and carefully wrap the foil around it without making any more creases. Then burnish the creases out with the back of a metal spoon. That should restore it enough to make a windshield. The painted legs of a foldable trolley or similar will do. Just not too small a diameter.

Failing that, search on ebay. They sell a lot of foil there, at good prices. I have bought several sections.

When you want to take such a windshield in a pack, find some very light cardboard or plastic tubing, roll the foil up around that, then tighten the roll so it fits inside. I used some PVC tube I had, but you could start with some electrical conduit and turn it down to ‘thin wall’ if you have access to a lathe. Failing that, try ebay again.

With a foil windshield, you may need a couple of micro-stakes to keep it deployed around your stove. For this you may need some small holes in the foil at the corners. Clamp the foil between hard timber and drill it, or use a sharp punch – even a paper punch.

Cheers

[Sam Farrington]

Alpha Knife Supply has Ti “sheet” that goes down to 0.030″ in thickness.  But know if that is thin enough for you.

[David Gardner]

Thanks all.

The foil in the first photo is about 50% usable for retail products. I’ll try the roll and burnish technique to see if it helps with the rest. I expect I’ll end up using the salvaged 50% for prototypes or personal items.

The two kinds of windscreens I make don’t require stakes.

[Roger Caffin]

Ah, I see.
My sources on ebay ship rolled up in a tube.

Cheers

[Adrian Griffin]

There are many vendors on AliExpress. I bought a 0.1x200x500mm piece from KWKCHINA Store back in July. They have many sizes. Last year, I got a 0.1x100x500mm piece from MSL Tool Store. There’s a big price jump going from 100mm to 200mm wide. Might be because of the dimensions of the shipping package.

Can take up to 90 days to deliver and 1 in 20-to-30 of orders never arrives. But Ali has always refunded me promptly when there’s been a problem.

[Chris R]

LiteOutdoors in Canada has always been a good source up here.

[Jon Fong / Flat Cat Gear]

This looks like a prety good source

https://www.liteoutdoors.com/product/titanium-foil/

 

[Michael B]

You could sell “factory seconds” here on the forum and make use of the ruined foil :) I am sure plenty of people on here would love a good deal. I for one would love to purchase a small section from you for my own purposes – I bought and modded a Toaks windscreen, but I botched it a bit trying to drill extra holes in it before figuring out that a hole puncher works way better. I need a piece that fits in my Toaks Light 700 pot. Mine works, but is a bit messed up after my botchery.

[Roger Caffin]

Hi Michael

You do not mention what ‘a small section’ means in actual dimensions.

Merry Xmas

[Michael B]

Not sure why photos from iPhone are showing up upside down, but there you go. A 16”x3” section is just about right.

 

[David Gardner]

Mike – happy to take you up on that. PM sent.

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