Topic: Cold Rolled or Hot Rolled... That is the quetion

[chrisinestes]

When I'm choosing metal tubing for the frame and sheet metal for the body, which should I choose? Doing a little research, it seems the hot rolled steel is easier to weld and work with for the frame tubing. I don't know about the sheet metal for body parts. Any knowledge about this out there?

Thanks!
Chris

[hotwheels]

Hot rolled steel is just that, it was heated and rolled while hot.......it is actually a weaker metal. Cold rolled steel is still heated, but rolled when cold. It is a stronger to work with and you have less chance of it buckling for no reason. So if you are going to use a metal for say the trans tunnel, you can use hot rolled since the tunnel isn't a stress point. If you were going to use it to support a floor, you would want cold rolled steal, since it is stronger and has less of a chance of buckling under stress. Hope that helps.

[ezrat]

I learned something here today, Thanks Doug...

Hot rolled steel is just that, it was heated and rolled while hot.......it is actually a weaker metal. Cold rolled steel is still heated, but rolled when cold. It is a stronger to work with and you have less chance of it buckling for no reason. So if you are going to use a metal for say the trans tunnel, you can use hot rolled since the tunnel isn't a stress point. If you were going to use it to support a floor, you would want cold rolled steal, since it is stronger and has less of a chance of buckling under stress. Hope that helps.

[hotwheels]

Excellent.......

[Dustin Arnett]

Right on Doug, thanks for the heads up... Also thanks for askin the question Chris...


~Dustin

[chrisinestes]

Now the task is to find a localish supplier that actual has cold rolled rectangle tubing. My standard supplier doesn't have it available to them.

[hotwheels]

You can use hot on your frame, just need the proper thickness. I was just explaining the differences and a few examples.

[hotwheels]

You really have a couple of choices, 2x3x3/16 or 2x4x1/8......those are what I would look at.

[chrisinestes]

So much to learn!

[hotwheels]

You are doing fine, you are asking some awesome questions............

[chrisinestes]

For those of you keeping up with this here, I'm going with hot rolled 3/16 thickness. Cold rolled tubing in the size I want is not made. I found several places that have it for $8 per foot, but yesterday I got an email from a place in Denver that says they'll sell me 40 feet at $4 per foot. Thats only 20 miles further than  my "regular" place. I'm in!

[hotwheels]

Thats a good price.........