Assuming 1/8” wall and oriented the same way, what size rectangular steel tubing would be roughly equivalent to a 2x4?
I have built and helped build a bazillion things out of wood over the years and know when to use a 2x4 vs a 2x8 or 2x6 etc. for non life critical applications. Benches, sheds and such. Now I’m trying to get a feel for napkin engineering things from steel around the house for something different but I need a reference point. I know there are load charts and all sorts of calculations that I could look up, but if I were building something that critical, I would probably have a pro do it instead. I’m just tinkering.
Anyone have a general rule of thumb they use?
Griz
Rough strength equivalent
Moderator: Harold_V
Re: Rough strength equivalent
Several years ago, a relative of mine was in maintenance at a paint company when they got rid of shelving that held heavy skids of gallon paint cans.
He gave me several dozen of the ~ 10ft long rectangular tubing that held up those loads.
They are almost the exact size of a wooden 2x4 and are 1/8th inch thick. I use them for all kinds of projects, as can be seen in the U-Tube video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu7Cou5zVi0
Made two of those TT frames, and I'm now welding up a bridge frame out of the same tubes. Easy to weld. I was real fortunate to be given such a gift.
If you can find used shelving of a similar type, that may be much cheaper than buying new.
He gave me several dozen of the ~ 10ft long rectangular tubing that held up those loads.
They are almost the exact size of a wooden 2x4 and are 1/8th inch thick. I use them for all kinds of projects, as can be seen in the U-Tube video below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu7Cou5zVi0
Made two of those TT frames, and I'm now welding up a bridge frame out of the same tubes. Easy to weld. I was real fortunate to be given such a gift.
If you can find used shelving of a similar type, that may be much cheaper than buying new.
Re: Rough strength equivalent
Very cool video! I’ve always been impressed by the dedication of scale railroad builders.
I don’t have a particular project in mind right now, I’m just trying to find a reference point should one come up.
I don’t have a particular project in mind right now, I’m just trying to find a reference point should one come up.
Re: Rough strength equivalent
Thanks for the explanations! I'm new to metal working and would like to learn how to do a scale warship model out of metal, and I've got trouble finding reliable data about strengths etc... I'm a complete newbie and you guys are very informative, sorry if I end up asking stupid questions!
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Re: Rough strength equivalent
You need to remember that a smaller tube will hold as much as a 2x4 in a vertical position but as a beam it may have less strength. There are tables that give the safe working load for lumber and steel both as a post and a beam. Do some internet search's.
Mike N.
Mike N.