Square steel tube

[wcarrothers1]

I have a quick question..

When it comes to using square steel tube for construction material do most people go with cold rolled or hot rolled square steel tube? Wondering which is better..

Pretty sure the steel tube I used on my first build was cold rolled but could be wrong..

guessing Ger might (hopefully) chime in and perhaps even recomend a local supplier (we live in the same area sorta).

I have to look around but metal super market (one option near me) does not seem to have very thick walled square tube (like 2x2" stuff) listed..

Thanks..

[fortyonethirty]

Most steel tubing is "cold formed" meaning that it's rolled into a tube from flat sheet and welded in a "cold" condition. The thinner varieties (<1/4") will usually be rolled from "cold rolled" sheet and thicker (>3/8") stuff will be from hot roll. But there isn't really much difference. And there is no standard form, different mills use different stock and your steel supplier probably won't know or care if it's hot or cold. My advice is: don't worry about it because it makes little difference in performance.

[kevin swan]

cold or hot like fortyonethirty said no big deal. Cold does clean up easier tho .Most of what we use is hot rolled. What part of the woods are you in ? I am in Clarkston during working hours. Alro and contractors steel are the ones we buy from . pontiac steel is great for small orders Griffen steel for sheet goods under half in. thick

[ger21]

I don't know much about steel, but there's a new Speedy Metals in Fraser.
http://www.speedymetals.com/t-contact.aspx

[wcarrothers1]

I'm in Commerce & work around farmington.. Guessing the stock I used to build my first machine was hot given it's wall thickness (some parts are 1/4" thick or more)

Thanks for the different suggestions for material. I've got a metal supermarket location near by but don't think they have the best prices over all. I know about the new speedy metals as well although on the other side of town from me..

Still in the "collect material" stage of my machine 2 build.. Still debating on how big I want to make the machine. Split between making a replacement for my machine 1 (size wise) or making a bit bigger machine which would also need to be even heavier.

Thanks for the responces.

b.