Is all square tube weldable?

[ukiltmybrutha]

Hi,

As I practice my flux core welding, I would like to practice on square tubes and solid flats.

I notice that when I check big box stores like Lowes for example it will say weldable in the description and sometimes it won't.

My question is whether or not they are all weldable or do I actually have to see those buzz words in the description?

It will help me price shop if I can just look at prices and not have to look for those key words.

With that said, are there some places that sell this stuff cheaper than big box stores or is that pretty much it?

Just checking as things get more expensive.

Thanks!!

 

[American Locomotive]

If it's steel - it can be welded. If it's galvanized, you may have to grind the galvanization off.

Also big box stores tend to sell aluminum extrusions in the same area as the steel. Make sure you're actually buying steel.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

If it's steel - it can be welded. If it's galvanized, you may have to grind the galvanization off.

Also big box stores tend to sell aluminum extrusions in the same area as the steel. Make sure you're actually buying steel.

Thank you.

 

[Patrickm82]

You can also check out e bay. Lots of places will sell off cuts of every shape and size for fairly cheap if you don’t want to buy full length for practice.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

You can also check out e bay. Lots of places will sell off cuts of every shape and size for fairly cheap if you don’t want to buy full length for practice.

Wow nice tip. Thanks.

 

[cvairwerks]

If you listed your location, someone might be able to guide you to a local steel yard that has a drops area. Drops are of varying sizes, thickness and grades, and are great for projects and practice material.

 

[Kenstone1]

Hi,

As I practice my flux core welding, I would like to practice on square tubes and solid flats.

I notice that when I check big box stores like Lowes for example it will say weldable in the description and sometimes it won't.

My question is whether or not they are all weldable or do I actually have to see those buzz words in the description?

It will help me price shop if I can just look at prices and not have to look for those key words.

With that said, are there some places that sell this stuff cheaper than big box stores or is that pretty much it?

Just checking as things get more expensive.

Thanks!!

You need to find somewhere else to buy steel, its way overpriced in any big box or hardware store.
Find a local steel yard near you, that's what I did.
And as a bonus that steel store has a rack of shorts that they sell by the pound.
They give you one free cut if you buy a full length, so I have them cut it in half for less sticking out the back of my truck.
They sell welding supplies and other hardware, like nuts/bolts, for way cheaper than in the box stores.
Find one...
jmo,
.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

If you listed your location, someone might be able to guide you to a local steel yard that has a drops area. Drops are of varying sizes, thickness and grades, and are great for projects and practice material.

Hi,

Fredericksburg, Virginia area. Appreciated.

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

You need to find somewhere else to buy steel, its way overpriced in any big box or hardware store.
Find a local steel yard near you, that's what I did.
And as a bonus that steel store has a rack of shorts that they sell by the pound.
They give you one free cut if you buy a full length, so I have them cut it in half for less sticking out the back of my truck.
They sell welding supplies and other hardware for way cheaper in the box stores.
Find one...
jmo,
.

Nice, thank you!

 

[strutaeng]

Yep. Find a steel yard. Mine even has "seconds" which are long "sticks" that have been bent or twisted. They are perfect for smaller projects. Just cut off the damaged part. Sticks are 20, 22 or 24 foot long.

When I was learning I went to the local scrapyard a few times. They gave me a hardhat and back I went. I actually found some nice tubes and angles. Something like $0.25/lb IIRC at the time? I can't remember. it's been a while.

Yes, any mild steel tube is weldable as far as I know.

Another tip is when you are starting and feel like you are making good welds, weld a long piece to another long piece at 90 degrees. Bend the long pieces until failure. You want to see the base metal yield and rupture and not the weld. Long piece makes it easier to bend and usually only a few inches are damaged. Cut off and repeat until you get it right.

Practice, practice, practice. Be safe and have run burning electrons!

 

[unslow1]

I recently went to a local machine/fabrication shop to buy some cut-offs for projects. Ask around there is probably no need to pay full home improvement store prices.

 

[The Cobbler]

I agree, big box steel prices are an expensive way to learn to weld. check out other options like salvage yards etc.
old rusty steel is good practice to, using angle grinders etc to clean it up

 

[ukiltmybrutha]

I appreciate the pointers everyone. Thank you.

 

[rooster59]

Look up "scrap metal" around Fredericksburg, call and ask if you can buy some scrap metal out of the bins. They need to understand you want to buy. Show up with boots, jeans, long sleeves, gloves, safety glasses, maybe a hard hat, and cash. Bring a magnet. Some stainless is non-magnetic. Pay by the pound.

 

[mark-NJ]

Bed Frames!

You'll find them for free on CL / FB-MP and sometimes they're just laying by the curb on garbage day. Or go to your local matress store and look in the dumpster behind the building. You *will* score. Grind off the paint with a flap disc & go to town! For free!

(My welding cart is made of bed frame material. "If it's free, it's for me!")

 

[Half-fast eddie]

Goodwill store … used bedframes.

 

[PCustoms]

Goodwill store … used bedframes.

I'd suggest some quality, known steel to practice on. Who knows what bedframes are made from., And you don't want to question your materials as you're diagnosing your welds.

 

[Kenstone1]

Bed frames just know...
Difficult to cut or drill because bed frame steel is way harder than regular angle iron.
It will eat up your drills and hacksaw blades, so not worth the hassle if you have to pay for them, just buy common angle iron.
That said, here is some hanging shelves I built out of bed frame material but used a cutoff wheel to cut it and welded on CRS tabs where I needed to drill it.


Actually, used carbide drill pits to drill those holes.

.

 

[mark-NJ]

I've heard that said many, many times (that bedframes are hard to work with), but I've never once had trouble drilling or cutting it. Can't explain it...

 

[thunderalley3]

I have a surplus scrap house that I buy everything from. You can get anything from mild steel to titanium and they sell by the pound usually 10% over scrap price if you are a regular. They buy big lots of scrap, mainly out of the aircraft industry plants as they are fairly close to to Cape Canaveral.
I get everything from pieces for bracing to slugs to turn on the lathe. As mentioned ask around fab shops and machining shops. My best advice other than what has been mentioned is to familiarize yourself on how to id different metals, arm yourself with a magnet and go on the hunt. The fewer questions you ask about things and the more agreeable you are on taking odd cut pieces the more likely they will welcome you around.
Also familiarize yourself with scrap prices and be a little generous so they don't mind spending a few minutes with you versus their normal scrap guy who just loads and hands them cash.

 

[gearhead1]

I've heard that said many, many times (that bedframes are hard to work with), but I've never once had trouble drilling or cutting it. Can't explain it...

Thats been my experience usually…..but I’ve had a couple over the years that I couldn’t drill. I took those and put with scrap and hauled them off.

Maybe some are made from railroad track and have a higher strength.

Chemical & Mechanical Properties of Rail Steel Angles | Jersey Shore Steel

jssteel.com

 

[Walkers]

Wow nice tip. Thanks.

I have about 3 tons of new steel cut off ready to go to the scrap yard. Where are you at?

 

[rbgearz]

Speedy Metals sometimes has drops for sale reasonably priced. I've bought a lot of aluminum and brass from them. They also have steel. You need to check back regularly to see what the have.

 

[BukitCase]

Walker, from post#8 - "Fredericksburg, Virginia area."

BTW, at today's prices the shipping for all 3 tons would probably be cheaper than buying new by quite a bit

... Steve

 

[Kenstone1]

I've heard that said many, many times (that bedframes are hard to work with), but I've never once had trouble drilling or cutting it. Can't explain it...

With that kind of luck
You need to buy a lotto ticket.

Bed frames are hard(er) because it becomes work hardened when drawn and not annealed.
It can be annealed where it is to be cut or drilled by simply heating it with a torch, even a propane torch.
jmo,
.

 

[Half-fast eddie]

I'd suggest some quality, known steel to practice on. Who knows what bedframes are made from., And you don't want to question your materials as you're diagnosing your welds.

If all you need is angle iron to practice running beads, bed frames work well.

 

[SteveH-CO]

Bed frames are hard(er) because it becomes work hardened when drawn and not annealed.
It can be annealed where it is to be cut or drilled by simply heating it with a torch, even a propane torch.

I tried that earlier this year, and it seemed to make no difference. Still very hard to drill. I heated it cherry red with an oxy-acet torch and let it cool.

 

[BD1]

Definitely call local suppliers for prices. Online and big box stores are crazy expensive.
Depending on what lengths you need, instead of cutting in half, say two 10', maybe consider a 8' and 12'
Bed frame steel is weldable but as mentioned, it's garbage steel.
Maybe give steel recyclable junk yards a call too. A local place has a section with clean steel they sell .