Steel pricing

[TurboLark]

Anyone know the going price for 1 3/4" .120 wall mild tubing?

[louie@g-machine]

typically about one dollar a foot. I hope you aren't using mild for a cage though.

[hotrdblder]

i got some 1-3/4 .134 for my cage and it was 4.50 a ft delivered, i used most of 80 ft to do my 8 point cage with down bars thru the dash

[TurboLark]

i got some 1-3/4 .134 for my cage and it was 4.50 a ft delivered, i used most of 80 ft to do my 8 point cage with down bars thru the dash

Thanks, thats more around what I thought.
$1 is less than scrap value..LOL

[Twin_Turbo]

typically about one dollar a foot. I hope you aren't using mild for a cage though.

what's wrong with mild steel for a cage (provided adequate wall thickness is used) apart from weight? pls explain.

[GAS]

I just got a quote for .095 at $2.00 per foot and .120 wall $2.60 delivered 150 foot minimum ERW
Micha

[Speed Raycer]

I guess the tariffs being lifted has had a good effect on pricing. Last batch of DOM I bought was about 3.40 pf for 1.75x.095 and around 2.75 pf for 1.5x.095.

I'll have to call my supplier and see what the rates are this month.

IMO, leave the 4130 for suspension and dragster chassis'. If you can't stick it in an oven, make it out of mild. ;)

[boodlefoof]

Check www.colemanracing.com and www.lefthanderchassis.com

Both have good prices. I've bought steel from Coleman before and their shipping rates are very good. Even with shipping it was MUCH less expensive than buying from a local steel distribution house. Very good customer service in my experience too.

[jason@gmachine]

what's wrong with mild steel for a cage (provided adequate wall thickness is used) apart from weight? pls explain.

mild is just not near strong enough for a 8 point cage, all our cages are a min of 1.75" DOM .120 wall. Its a safety concern. Mild will bend and shear under alot less stress than DOM. If you are using anything less than 4130 i would also never go with thinner than .120 wall as well.

And for those who are using mild in a cage, remember to keep the seam on the inside of the bend to prevent preamiture fatigue.

just keep it safe, it could be your life one day. all to often i see cages that i consider to be "scary".

our top three shop rules!

1. no mild in main cage structure!
2. weld 360 around every tube.
3. no stitch welding on cagework.

Jason


P.S. mild = HREW

[jason@gmachine]

IMO, leave the 4130 for suspension and dragster chassis'. If you can't stick it in an oven, make it out of mild. ;)[/quote]

sorry but i strongly disagree with this, 4130 is the best for cages hands down! I come fron both the NASCAR world and the insane world of desert racing, where 4130 can save your life compared to DOM. We had both an 4130 nascar chassis and a DOM chassis, and besides the 4130 being stronger it was also lighter up top because of the .095 wall verses the .120 wall DOM. IMO the 4130 chassis also handled better because is gave less flex overall.

You can MIG 4130 and it will be fine. TIg is the preference but not everyone can do this.

Trophy Trucks and Class 1's are all 4130 and some MIG welded with 95% TIG welded, none of them are heat treated and they withstand the most insane forces on earth, there is no computer that can simulate the forces that a 4130 off-road chassis sees. 140+ MPH through the desert is intense and 4130 is the only way to go.

But i know that this is kinda like apples and oranges, i still prefer 1.75" .095 wall 4130 for musclecar cage work. You use mild filler rod for the cage work because it is not going to be heat treated.

Jason

[Speed Raycer]

Not looking to get in an argument, but your using the Terms "Mild" and "DOM" exclusively? Are you refering to ERW tube as Mild?

[jason@gmachine]

Not looking to get in an argument, but your using the Terms "Mild" and "DOM" exclusively? Are you refering to ERW tube as Mild?

yeah, in the bottom of my other post i comment that mild is the term im using for ERW.

"P.S. mild = HERW"

but both are considered to be mild, its the process that seperates the two.

Jason

[parsonsj]

Properly welded, 4130 is the best material for a cage. It's the lightest, has the best uniformity of thickness, and is usually made with better quality control.

You use mild filler rod for the cage work because it is not going to be heat treated.

Yep. That's what Lincoln recommends and they've done the destructive testing to prove it.

jp

[LowBuckX]

I ordered from here http://www.liebovichsteel.com/ They where by far the cheapest I could find. They deal direct not through a middle man. I got quotes from $86-$110 for 1"dom .109 wall round tube. Liebovich steel shipped it UPS for a total of $55 (18 total feet 2 cuts) When you call know what you want They cant answer car specific or sanctioning body rules.

[vstol]

Hotrdblder where did you purchase your 1 3/4?

[chevelletiger]

yeah, in the bottom of my other post i comment that mild is the term im using for ERW.

"P.S. mild = HERW"

but both are considered to be mild, its the process that seperates the two.

Jason

jason im not being a smartass so dont take it that way,i thought,and correct me if im wrong 4130 need to be preheated before welding to reduce weld cracking?i think most hobby guys use mild steel for price and the skill needed to prep 4130 for welding,also nascar cars dont use 4130 in the cage and frame,from what i read on aws.org.phil

[David Pozzi]

The 4130 tube must be "condition N", less likely to snap under impact.

[SShep71]

You do not have to preheat the 4130 tubing to weld it. It doesnt hurt, but its not necessary. Chromoly with a cross section of under I believe 3/16" does not need to be pre-heated. As mentioned there are different types and grades of chromoly as D Pozzi mentioned. Its similiar in theroy to the Temper of Aluminum i.e. 6061-T6, 6061 T-4 etc.

[80proZ]

It boils down to weight and cost. 4130 is stronger at a smaller wall thickness. DOM( drawn over mandrel) is a mechanical process done after the tube is constructed. It's still HREW tube. If cost is a factor and weight is not, DOM is fine. If cost is not a factor and weight is go with 4130.