does anybody take advantage of the shopping the day after thanksgiving? I did, one year and to me.it's not worth itI'd rather spend the few extra dollars and be somewhat stress free
Unfortunately, you just ruined itTrying to fix the mistake will take a lot of time and effortAn idea so your son won't throw a fit- get a container and start putting some I'm sorry money in that all three of you can do(Even an 8 month old can earn some money for picking up toys, etc.) It'll be fun watching it grow to where you can purchase the tracks(Go together to the store - the two of you, and find the priceLet him be part of the processIf the situation were reversed, what would you expect another adult to do? This will show him that you respect him and his things and will be a lesson for him to use when he is older and the shoe is on the other foot.)
Try using a hose clamp, to compress the wood, after you get the dowel into the tube, pour water on the tube to get the wood to expand back
If the wood is at the correct moisture content, there is nothing you can do to shrink itHeating the correct thing to do for the aluminum, but for .005 inches expansion, the tube would need to be very good sizedAs you have provided no dimensions of the items, I cannot advise on the relative values to make the items work together Sanding would seem your only course of action Try sanding the dowel until it just barely fits, then try heating your tube againIf you want to approach the coefficient of expansion for the size of aluminum tube, that could give you the maximum size of the dowel for the tube you have.
If you need the wood square and flush with the ends of the tubing, cut the doweling about 3 longer than the tubing, shape a cone onto one end and be sure to slightly bevel the inside of the tubingLube the doweling with an evaporating type lubricant, (WD40 would work well) and press the two together with a pipe clamp, or drive the dowel in with a hammerOnce you have driven it to where the cone shape exits the far end, cut the dowel flush with a hacksawBecause of the .005 interference fit, the lube effect will be insignificant once the dowel is in placeThe wood wanting to expand (because you have compressed it at this point) will give you a very secure fit, and no need for fasteners.
I have done the crazy day after Thanksgiving shopping almost every year of my adult lifeSome years have been very worth it and other have sucked horriblyMy best shopping year was 3 years ago in Austin, TXThe Ashley's furniture was offering a free $500 micro-fiber sofa to the first 25 people, no purchase necessary and no catchesWell my sister in law had never done the Thanksgiving evening wait, so I talked her and my husband into going with meWe got there at 9 PM Thanksgiving Day (all the kids were with grandparents - I would NEVER take a child out into that craziness.) We were 21, 22, 23 in line and sitting in lawn chairs, covered in blankets drinking a thermos of hot chocolateJust before 10 PM a camera crew showed up and interview all of usWe looked awful, but it was fun/funnyMy mother in law recorded the news w/ us on itAt 5 AM the manager came out (by then there was close to 75 people out there) and said that everyone in the door by 6AM was going to get the voucher for the free sofa and free deliverySo that was my best experience with the day after Thanksgiving maddness.
