Pipe vs Tube

[DutchSteel]

In the introduction of the DIY gokart webpage, the talk abou tthe different materials you can use. They mention to use either steel tubing or pipe. When they talk about pipe, are they referring to plain old conduit? That is galvanized steel right? Not sure how that work with welding? It sure is a lot les expensive and easier to handle than tubing
:rolleyes3:
Any thought?

Thanks,
TJ

 

[modelengineer]

Usually when using pipe for a kart, it is medium/thick walled black pipe. This has a black finish on it and is not galvanised.
Tubing can be round or square. Most home built karts seem to use square due to the ease of manufacture.

I don't know what conduit is...

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Pipe is threaded tubing isnt, avoid galvanized, welding produces nasty fumes,

 

[down_in_flames]

I believe a conduit is was what you used to practice safe electricity XD

 

[modelengineer]

nice one

Pipe is threaded tubing isnt

... I've never seen threaded pipe. Here pipe isn't threaded.

 

[ahnvee]

Also pipe is measured in the inside and tubing on the outside.

 

[skip289]

Conduit is used to run electrical wiring in. They have thinwall which bends very easily and ridgid conduit which is about the same size as black pipe and is threaded.
I would suggest not using conduit, it is designed to be bent and seems softer that black pipe to me.
Also the ridgid is galvanized and as kenny said the fumes are very bad for your health, if you must weld galvanized make sure to grind away any area to be welded.
As far as black pipe for a frame I suppose it would be okay, but someone else here could give you a better answer.

 

[jr dragster T]

... I've never seen threaded pipe. Here pipe isn't threaded.

You've never seen iron NPT pipe? Commently used for natural gas in your home.

 

[newrider3]

Only the ends of the black pipe are threaded. Also, they use a nominal measurement system for pipe, 3/4" pipe is actually about 1.05" OD. I used sch. 40 3/4" pipe for most of my kart.

 

[Buick455]

Only the ends of the black pipe are threaded. Also, they use a nominal measurement system for pipe, 3/4" pipe is actually about 1.05" OD. I used sch. 40 3/4" pipe for most of my kart.

I built my kart out of the same, but galvanized. A buddy had a propane biz that went under so I got all the scrap that was in the shop the day they closed up. You do have to grind or wire wheel all the spots your gonna weld (2" from all welds to be safe). If you don't know if you cleaned far enough you will sure find out when the blue smoke starts. If you do use the galvanized do it in a well vented area with a fan sucking the fumes away from you and the peice. Oh and just remember if you use the galvanized or the black pipe, it is going to be a heavy a$$ frame, which is good for a tank but not to race around in. I had my throttle stick once and decided I was going to use my 4x4 mail box post as a break (yeah I know, why didn't I use the kill switch, well because I didn't have one, lol) and I flattened it. So it will be a beast of a kart if you get crazy with the frame, like I did with a 2" ID bumper

 

[modelengineer]

The rollbar on my Sidewinder is 25mm (1") NB thick wall black pipe.