What steel piping for chassis and frame?

[isaac8787]

which type of steel is best for off road karting to hold a dual lawn mower engine powered kart? and what thickness and diameter?

 

[brettskarts]

For that use i would use square tubing and i would use anything over 1inch by 1 inch and at least 1/8 thick

 

[Doc Sprocket]

It is much better to use larger diameter tube with a thinner wall, than smaller tube with a thick wall. In the end, the result is more strength per pound. 1"x1"x 0.125 (as suggested above) may be strong enough for the task, but it's going to be a heavy pig. I would suggest shopping for tubing that is at least 1.250" diameter, with a thinner wall, maybe in the 0.080" range.

That said, frame design plays a significant part in tubing selection. A ladder frame (as I assume you're building requires beefier tube than a triangulated space frame. A decent space frame can be built from 1" x 0.065", whereas a ladder frame of the same material would fold like a cheap suit over the first bump.

 

[Jed142]

Hi i'm new,
May be a very obvious question, but what steel should we use. Type, grade, number, code?

So when I go get some steel from the steel place (Bunnings?) do I just ask for "square Steel tubing 1"x 1" " ?

was mainly interested to find out how well a MIG welder would weld it. I'm sure the weld joins vary in strength depending on the type of steel?

Jed

EDIT:

I have tried to search the forums for details about this but having trouble. Sorry

EDIT2:

So I found a site, just said mild steel. So all good I guess thanx

 

[CooperJS]

getting steel from bunnings wouldn't be a great choice since they don't have much of a range but it would be better getting it from a place that makes steel, not sure were you are located but there's a place called green steels in Adelaide, might want to check them out if your in Adelaide.

Cooper

 

[fowler]

or matalia steel

 

[Jed142]

Thanks for the response!
I'm in Sydney NSW. I'll have a look around.

And I'd be looking for any type of mild steel. Anyway I'm sure if I tell them the application they'll let me know what steel would best suit.

Cheers!

 

[Doc Sprocket]

standard mild steel SHS (square hollow section) will be fine. What's more important is for you to select an appropriate wall thickness. This will determine strength and weight, and largely depends on frame design.

 

[Kentguy13]

in the same boat... or kart

standard mild steel SHS (square hollow section) will be fine. What's more important is for you to select an appropriate wall thickness. This will determine strength and weight, and largely depends on frame design.

I agree with the statement... but where, or how, do you find out what thickness to use? Is there a reference anywhere that says, "1"x1" with a span of 72" should have a minimum of (X)" thickness?

I'm almost ready to buy steel for my next project and I want to build a modified Arachnid. I weigh 220lbs, what would be the minimum without over building it and ending up with a 500lbs kart?

 

[ryf]

I somehow missed this thread, sorry, I made my cart out of "handrail" schedule 40 pipe. its made to the same spec as black pipe, but not certified for pressure so costs alot less. its heavyish, but it holds up nice. these are sold by ID, the one I am using is 1 1/8" approximately OD. because its thicker its easier to weld!

there is no engineering data sheet because steel can be welded into ladders frames and be stronger than the original piece. good web/ladder frame design matters alot. goodluck!

 

[OzFab]

Thanks for the response!
I'm in Sydney NSW. I'll have a look around.

And I'd be looking for any type of mild steel. Anyway I'm sure if I tell them the application they'll let me know what steel would best suit.

Cheers!

Edcon steel. They have 4 stores in Sydney, great service & great prices

EDIT: Just noticed this thread is over a month old. Oh well, hope it helps anyway

 

[jman231994]

I agree with the statement... but where, or how, do you find out what thickness to use? Is there a reference anywhere that says, "1"x1" Steel tubing with a span of 72" should have a minimum of (X)" thickness?

And....? lol You just copied what someone above said. Don't mean to sound rude.....but what are you saying? haha

 

[Doc Sprocket]

Jman- they call it spam!

 

[jman231994]

Jman- they call it spam!

Darn me and my trusting ways......I vote we electrocute their nipples.