Unless you want a polished finish, I don’t see any reason to use stainless steel Spreaders.
They are heavy, hard to manipulate and much much more expensive than aluminum, which does the job.
If they are mismatched in color, you could paint them.
I’m only adding my opinion because I spend enormous amounts of time overdoing or overthinking.
Keep it simple -a  Rhodes idiom.
Ric
Dadventure

Richard F. Stott, AIA, LEED AP
ric at stottarchitecture.com
O -631-283-1777
C- 516-965-3164

> On Apr 26, 2023, at 9:12 AM, Peter via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> Todd, thanks so much for the offer. I don't think sourcing will be much of a problem. What I need to know is what type of metal I should have and approximate guage/wall thickness. I don't want issues due to dissimilar metals coming in contact with each other.
> 
> Thanks     On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 09:00:53 AM EDT, Todd Tavares <tavares0947 at gmail.com> wrote:  
> 
> Peter,
> You can source SS tubing other places. Try Defender or Rigrite. I don't know off hand what I have in the garage, but I definitely have some extra aluminum spreaders. I can't remember offhand what the diameter is; likely 1"? And they are pretty thin guage too.
> If you get in a bind and can't source any, let me know and I'll give you these aluminum ones.
> Todd T.
> On Tue, Apr 25, 2023, 11:27 PM Peter via Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
>    I've decided to replace my mismatched spreader bars.  I've tried contacting Dwyer, but they aren't in a rush to answer my message, so I thought I'd look elsewhere.  My problem is I don't know exactly what type of tube I'm looking for.  I'm guessing these are stainless steel tubes, is that correct.  Would 304 16 gauge be sufficient?  Or should I be looking at aluminium?  Any thoughts?
> 
> Thanks,
>     Peter
> 
>