What tubing to use on a cart frame

[LongBowSniper]

Hello,

I was wondering what type of tubing to use to build a frame for a go cart... And wheres the best and cheapest place to buy it?

Thanks,
Ben

 

[khank1995]

try menards, lowes, homedepo

 

[Blazkowiez]

Most towns have steel supply stores besides simple home repair warehouses that have exceptional prices on steel in 20ft sticks, additionally for most places if you order a certain amount, say over 200 dollars, they'll ship and cut it in quarters or half for free.

 

[vgk]

Are you looking at square or circle? Aluminum or steel? This will help and are you close to a steel supply shop or just what khank said?

 

[khank1995]

Yeah try your best to find a steel shop online or the phone book

 

[mrfreyguy]

I would try to stay away from the menards and lowes stuff. It's not meant for structural purposes and it's not the highest quality.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

I would try to stay away from the menards and lowes stuff. It's not meant for structural purposes and it's not the highest quality.

Amen, brutha! I had a coworker stop by Home Depot and get me a length of angle for a fire escape railing I had to repair. I couldn't believe the hunk o' crap he handed me!
They also charge far too much for what you get.

 

[Hybrid]

well with all that being said, not trying to threadjack but i'm more adding to the question -

Which would be better for to use considering strength/weight
-Aluminum
-Steel

How thick?

I have been wondering the same thing =D

 

[mrfreyguy]

Amen, brutha! I had a coworker stop by Home Depot and get me a length of angle for a fire escape railing I had to repair. I couldn't believe the hunk o' crap he handed me!
They also charge far too much for what you get.

18 bucks for a 8ft piece 16 gauge square tubing! Lowest prices at lowes? I call BS

To answer your question hybrid steel would be better for a kart application. Thickness depends on what your building your cart to do.

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Aluminum is likely to cost more, and many of us are not equipped to weld it. On the other hand, done properly it would be very, very cool, and lighter, too!

 

[Hybrid]

Again not trying to thread jack but personally i'm trying to make an off road cart, not a crazy rock crawler or anything but something a bit more than your average back yard cart

 

[mrfreyguy]

Steel would probibly be what you want then. It's what I'm using for my lifted mower and buggy.

 

[Hybrid]

Steel is also easier to weld? I have a welder but haven't tried it out yet.

Also, What about thickness, Schedule 40 pipe? Best cost/strength ratios?

 

[Imbo]

also just throwin this in there...if this is your first kart and/or your not muckmof a metal worker i would advize using square tubing...much easier to weld and work with....however i think that circular looks to an extent somewhat cooler.

 

[modelengineer]

Aluminium is a very very bad idea for a frame. Steer clear.

You want tube, not pipe. Pipe is very heavy and not very strong for it's weight.

 

[LongBowSniper]

Ok sorry it took me so long to get on i havent really had time lately... Im looking for round steel... I have a guy whos going to weld it for me and i hope to have him teach me aswell