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Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 1:30 am
by caseyjaybenson
What is the best 1 inch steel tubing that is a good balance between weight and strength? I am building some cabinets for my van.

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 6:46 am
by Oscar
Are you talking about "strength" in the sense of pulling tension? Or do you mean in terms of bending/flexing stiffness?

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2016 12:45 pm
by caseyjaybenson
bending/flexing I have been trying to work with aluminum for the weight properties but I just cant seem to get it right and I am getting very frustrated. I seem to be able to weld steel with no problems at all. I am making a bed frame and cabinets for my RV/Van so I dont want to have to much weight added in.

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 3:34 am
by MosquitoMoto
caseyjaybenson wrote:bending/flexing I have been trying to work with aluminum for the weight properties but I just cant seem to get it right and I am getting very frustrated. I seem to be able to weld steel with no problems at all. I am making a bed frame and cabinets for my RV/Van so I dont want to have to much weight added in.

Jody had a video somewhere on 'pie cut aluminium welding' where he is welding 1.6mm wall aluminium tube using Triangle Wave. Might be helpful if you want to have another shot at using aluminium.


Kym

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 1:45 pm
by Oscar
There is some very high strength steel tubing made in Switzerland or Sweden I believe. Docol R8. But you're probably not gonna wanna spend as much as it costs for the projects you're working on.

You can go with 4130 chromoly, but the stiffness of a structure will depend more on the geometry of the joint rather than the material properties.

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:05 pm
by ttreb4
I would think that just standard mild steel in a .060 to .078 wall thickness would handle the weight with minimal flex. You can always add extra bracing if needed. I think DOM or Chromoly tubing would be overkill and overpriced.

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:32 pm
by ex framie
This stuff is alloy but I have used a steel version in the past. The below site is for demo purposes for you.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/connect-it- ... e_p1138262

Good for cupboards etc, not sure about a bed frame, a lot would depend on your design.

Cheers

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 2:29 am
by GreinTime
Oscar wrote:There is some very high strength steel tubing made in Switzerland or Sweden I believe. Docol R8. But you're probably not gonna wanna spend as much as it costs for the projects you're working on.

You can go with 4130 chromoly, but the stiffness of a structure will depend more on the geometry of the joint rather than the material properties.
Docol is the shit, it's just expensive lol

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Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:19 pm
by Oscar
GreinTime wrote:
Oscar wrote:There is some very high strength steel tubing made in Switzerland or Sweden I believe. Docol R8. But you're probably not gonna wanna spend as much as it costs for the projects you're working on.

You can go with 4130 chromoly, but the stiffness of a structure will depend more on the geometry of the joint rather than the material properties.
Docol is the shit, it's just expensive lol

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Have you worked/welded with it previously?

Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:55 pm
by GreinTime
Oscar wrote:
GreinTime wrote:
Oscar wrote:There is some very high strength steel tubing made in Switzerland or Sweden I believe. Docol R8. But you're probably not gonna wanna spend as much as it costs for the projects you're working on.

You can go with 4130 chromoly, but the stiffness of a structure will depend more on the geometry of the joint rather than the material properties.
Docol is the shit, it's just expensive lol

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Have you worked/welded with it previously?
We used it for a project at one of the shops I helped at when I was in school. We made ladder bars, as well as trans crossmembers, and front structure with it for a pulling truck. Granted, we bought because we were impressed with their display at PRI, the knowledgeable staff they had there, and the guy had unlimited budget. Whether it actually holds up better than 4130 in a wreck or not, would remain unseen, as it's hard to crash a pulling truck. Other people may have better input on the matter, but that's my story.


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Re: Best Lightweight Steel Tubing

Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2016 12:27 pm
by Wood Welder
Why not plywood, glue, cleats, and staples? They use it for aircraft cabinetry for a reason, light weight.