Building materials.

[fish]

Hi, im cheap and want a gokart. decided to build one. Hows this for a frame material?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Alexand...-Round-Tube-Moulding-AT012-AM096C03/205576699

its 1in aluminum, 1/16 thick. But it says its for shower rods and lamps and stuff. Is it ok?

 

[anickode]

If you're cheap, you're looking in totally the wrong place for metal. And totally the wrong kind. Home Depot is about the most expensive place to buy metal stock from.

If I had to guess that's 6063 T0 clear anodized. Zero structural value, and hard to weld. That's basically polished folding lawn chair tube.

Get some 1" 14 gauge square tube from a local steel supplier. 30 feet is sufficient to build a basic kart frame. Square tube butts together nicely and makes things much simpler.

 

[fish]

Thanks!

---------- Post added at 11:31 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:24 PM ----------

Just checked, theirs no metal distributors near me that sell things to the general public. Is there any big-box store on online store that has good prices?

 

[bob58o]

I like McMaster Carr for some things.
Like when I wanted a 48" long x 1.25" solid steel keyed axle and couldn't find it anywhere else.

They are like 20 minutes from me. I usually pick my stuff up from there, but also they deliver Fast as $%@#.

IIRC, they don't give you a shipping price when you order. I think I had to call and get an estimate as to how much shipping might be.

 

[fish]

Wait, you mean the 4130 Alloy Steel Rectangular Tubes? Those are expensive! Or maby im looking in the wrong place.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-hollow-bars/=1c4hw54

but the aluminum is pretty cheap, is it any good?

https://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum/=1c4hxd6

But this homedepot one is comparable, for less price and its longer.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...uare-Tube-with-1-20-in-Thick-802537/204273939

 

[Kartorbust]

Aluminum fatigues when it is crashed. You never know where it may crack. Plus it is not easy to weld, it melts quickly and can crack while being welded. Square 1" mild tube steel is cheap, easy to weld and has a lot better strength than Aluminum. Easy to learn welding on and cheaper too.

https://www.discountsteel.com/items...l_Square_Tube.cfm?item_id=206&size_no=16#skus

 

[anickode]

Wait, you mean the 4130 Alloy Steel Rectangular Tubes? Those are expensive! Or maby im looking in the wrong place.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#steel-hollow-bars/=1c4hw54

but the aluminum is pretty cheap, is it any good?

https://www.mcmaster.com/#aluminum/=1c4hxd6

But this homedepot one is comparable, for less price and its longer.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...uare-Tube-with-1-20-in-Thick-802537/204273939

No, not 4130. That's chromoly steel. Insanely strong, hard to weld without cracking (even though McMaster says otherwise) and very expensive.

You need mild steel. Also called low carbon steel.

McMaster is stupid expensive for ordering raw materials too.

There are web based metal suppliers like onlinemetals.com that cater to small order private customers and ship. They will be your best bet if there is literally noplace nearby that will sell you steel.

---------- Post added at 01:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:59 PM ----------

Where are you located?

Including your location in your profile is a big help when asking where to find stuff locally.

 

[qtband]

You can also look at recycle places or scrap yards in your area. I get stuff cheap there.

 

[Functional Artist]

Hi, im cheap and want a gokart. decided to build one. Hows this for a frame material?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Alexand...-Round-Tube-Moulding-AT012-AM096C03/205576699

its 1in aluminum, 1/16 thick. But it says its for shower rods and lamps and stuff. Is it ok?

If this is your first go kart build & you want to keep it low cost, go back to Home Depot & get some regular old (steel) water pipe
It's ~$1.00 a foot (or) ~$20.00 for (2) 10' sticks (if you need more, you can always go back)

The smaller size (looks to be ~1") is what your looking for, it's technically called 1/2" schedule 40
It's mild steel with a 7/8" od. x 5/8" id. & a 1/8" wall, has good strength to weight ratio & it's easy to work with. (cut, bend & weld)

Many say, "your not supposed to pipe to make go kart frames", your supposed to use metal tube.

Well, I never got that memo & have been making go kart frames out of it for years

Here is a kart I built last summer using water pipe for the frame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn7LlvugyiA

 

[ezcome-ezgo]

Also Speedy Metals

Where do you live Fish? That is when you aren't underwater.

 

[anickode]

I agree that black steel pipe is cheap, but for someone who's never built anything before, coping pipe can be a real challenge.

I guess there's always the smash-it-flat method.

 

[Kartorbust]

Pipe is heavy per foot. While cheap to buy, it'll be a heavy frame. Plus welding round tubing or even pipe for that matter isn't the easiest thing to do for beginners.