tubing vs. pipe

[larc68]

Im new to kinds of tubing and pipe that could be used to fab up some bumpers, sliders etc. Ive read that some people have used schedule 40 pipe and from what I understand, its an ongoing discussion of what is better. Ive done some searching for DOM tubing and found some high prices, as high as $13 a foot. Does anyone have any opinions on schedule 40 pipe and its pricing compared to DOM tubing. Is there any local suppliers of the tubing or pipe?

Thanks,

Donnie

[Mike]

DOM for structural - i.e. cages
Pipe for stuff to be bashed - i.e. sliders, bumpers.

[Donkey]

Here's some reading for you. Pirate is has alot to offer on tech. But i would use the search. There not newbie friendly.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=416112\

http://www.haynesintl.com/h1030aarc/wstubing.htm

[Ted]

Im new to kinds of tubing and pipe that could be used to fab up some bumpers, sliders etc. Ive read that some people have used schedule 40 pipe and from what I understand, its an ongoing discussion of what is better. Ive done some searching for DOM tubing and found some high prices, as high as $13 a foot. Does anyone have any opinions on schedule 40 pipe and its pricing compared to DOM tubing. Is there any local suppliers of the tubing or pipe?

Thanks,

Donnie

You can use 1.5 HREW for bumpers too. DOM is over kill for a bumper. But, it's good for things like roll cages.

[larc68]

thanks for the info guys. ive looked up some places that supply them and i found BMG and Arlington Iron Works in Manassas. Any info on these places? Is the sched. 40 pipe what they sell at Home Depot in their plumbing area. The pirate link above kept mentioning black pipe so I assuming its the same??? I figured Id as you guys first rather than dealing with some idiot at Depot or Lowes.

Ted, have you ever checked out this place at the intersection of Rte. 37 and Rte. 11. Its just north of Winchester. I see alot of I-beams and such outside but not sure what they exactly sell.

[kajo]

I have built a buggy with 1 1/4" Schedule 40 and it has rolled several times with no failures. I bought that tube at Potomac Steel.

I just built an exo cage for my 4Runner out of 1.5" HREW but it hasn't been tested yet. If you want to buy in bulk (300 plus feet) you can buy DOM or HREW from Tull metals in Richmond.

or you can pay a little more and get it from Independent4x.com which is near Ashland (Just north of Richmond). They get there tube from Tull so there is a small markup, but you can get smaller quantities and even cut it down at his shop to fit in yourvehicle if needed.

[Donkey]

Sch 40 is the water/poop pipe at home depo. BMG only stocks sch 40 but will order other tubing so i hear. Tull is best around here. There is a aero space place up in PA that is good for dom.

What are you trying to make and are you getting a bender? Sch 40 is fine for alot of stuff it is just heavy.

[Mike]

The Home Depot pipe is a cheaper grade of Sch 40, but it works just as well.

[larc68]

What are you trying to make and are you getting a bender? Sch 40 is fine for alot of stuff it is just heavy.[/quote]

i was looking to build a bumper, front and rear, and possibly sliders. this is my first attempt. im messing around to try to learn. i do have a bender, is a bender from harbor freight. ive bended some things on it so far and its works pretty good. not the best but sufficient for now. same for the welder, my first one and my first attempts so its a cheaper model but again, sufficient. im gonna design the bumper prob on autocad and from what pics i see of others

thanks for the info

[Ted]

Ted, have you ever checked out this place at the intersection of Rte. 37 and Rte. 11. Its just north of Winchester. I see alot of I-beams and such outside but not sure what they exactly sell.


I know what place you are taking about. I have not checked them out yet. There is another place near there on the East side of 81, and left on some road I think they have plent of sch 40. I asked them about DOM once, and they look at me like I had one eye.

[Donkey]

You do have one eye and a peg leg.

[toyotanuts]

I always use HREW and have had no problems. :D

[JMUTaco]

The place at the 37/81 intersection only sells to companies for structural steel orders for construction. They won't do sales to individuals. That was a few years ago I stopped by though so things might have changed.

I read on the national board that it is possible to bend tube by packing it with sand and capping it off, heating it and bending. Does this work or does it look terrible? I don't have the cash to spend on a bender so I've been looking for cheaper alternatives.

Has anyone done business with a place called Wicked Customs? They do tube chassis work and fabrication and I was wondering if it would cost more to have a shop bend and weld for me or if it would cost just as much to buy a pre-fabbed bumper.

[Ted]

The place at the 37/81 intersection only sells to companies for structural steel orders for construction. They won't do sales to individuals. That was a few years ago I stopped by though so things might have changed.

I read on the national board that it is possible to bend tube by packing it with sand and capping it off, heating it and bending. Does this work or does it look terrible? I don't have the cash to spend on a bender so I've been looking for cheaper alternatives.

Has anyone done business with a place called Wicked Customs? They do tube chassis work and fabrication and I was wondering if it would cost more to have a shop bend and weld for me or if it would cost just as much to buy a pre-fabbed bumper.


I'll rent you my tube bender :)

[PrezidentRedz]

yeah if any one would be interested in helping me build bumpers and build them for me that would be awesome! i dont have the resources to get a bender. or a welder