Have used plenty of sockets in the past but as above our place is littered with bits and bobs and a decent lathe so if there isn't something that fits, I can soon make something that does.
Same here, sockets, bit of old tubing, old brake discs etc. If all else fails I just nip down to a local metal working company & see what offcuts of tube they have that will do the job - never cost more than a couple of quid & usually a lot less.
Well as long as they are used in compression they should be OK I would have thought. The problem will come if you don't support them sufficiently, and then I see exactly what you mean. Only one way to find out I suppose.......
