Available standard rectangular tubing sizes?

[myredracer]

Need to buy some steel tubing to make a driveway gate. I want the outer frame to look like it is made from 2x4 or 2x6 (nominal dim.) wood and would like to get an actual dimension of 1 1/2" and the only thing I can get here is 2". I'd also like to get a thinner wall to make the gate sections lighter but I can only get 0.125" wall tubing.

Do they make rectangular tubing with an actual dimension of 1.5" x 3.5, 4.5 or 5.5" (or maybe x 4,5 or 6") and thinner than 125 wall? Can you maybe order this online somewhere and get it shipped? We have a "mailbox" service in Wa. that can accept just about any size item but would have to get the steel precut to shorter lengths (max 7' in my case) but would have to check with them.

 

[superbovine]

I always order steel online as there are no metal suppliers near me, but I have never seen any fractional dimension box tubing above 2" without it being square. ie, you can get 1.5x3, but if you want something 3.5, it has to be 3.5x3.5.
Keep in mind though I only have access to suppliers that sell online, so I don't know if that is a result of simplicity in online sales or a general rule of thumb.

 

[myredracer]

Thanks. Would you mind posting the supplier so I can get an idea of what's out there?

 

[readhead]

Are there any welding shops near you? They should be able to order anything you need. Shipping steel gets expensive. Our shop gets four trucks a week.

 

[MoonRise]

example of an online metals supplier and some 'common' rectangular steel tube

http://www.metalsdepot.com/products/hrsteel2.phtml?page=rttube&LimAcc= &aident=

They list 1.5 x 3.5 x 3/16 tube.

For thinner wall, they have some 3x2 x 14 gauge (0.083). And other choices.

 

[theoldwizard1]

http://www.onlinemetals.com/

http://www.speedymetals.com/

 

[Fcvapor05]

4x1.5x.083 is a common size.

Once you get to sizes where at least one leg is 2", .120 wall is likely to be the thinnest available.

Where are you located? You're going to save a LOT of money if you find a local source and aren't shipping long, heavy things across the country.

 

[readhead]

1 1/2"x3" is available down to 16 ga. There is a difference between HSS and rectangular tubing. You want the latter if you are making a light weight gate.

 

[superbovine]

Thanks. Would you mind posting the supplier so I can get an idea of what's out there?

Sorry, I was at work and forgot all about this!

I used to use onlinemetals.com as they have a distribution place in Orlando (About 2 hours from me) and I saved a ton on shipping. HOWEVER, onlinemetals.com JACKED UP their prices almost 100% from a year or two ago, they increased their cut fees, AND they WAY overcharge on shipping now too. I do not do business with them anymore.
Currently I use:
For sheet metal Shapiro Metals (https://www.shapirosupply.com/)
For angle/square/bar/etc Metals for You (https://www.metals4uonline.com/)

For M4U they ship out of Texas (WAY away from South Florida) and on average their shipping is about 1/3 of what onlinemetals now charges, and their metal prices are usually about 60-75% of what onlinemetals charges for what I buy.

The only downside is stuff from onlinemetals usually came CLEAN. Like lick it clean, clean. M4U stuff has lots of metal dust on it... powdery, so you don't feel it but you get filthy handling it. No big deal, just takes a rag to wipe down, but its noticeable. WELL worth it for me, as on average I save about $75-100 per order no matter what it is when I compare to onlinemetals. I keep hoping they will go back to how it was before as it was nice getting stuff for ~$12-15 shipping and having it in one day, but even still their LF prices are just too high now, plus cut fees etc.

 

[larry_g]

https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/metals/
Local to you. I searched Langley, BC steel supply and came up with the above as well as a few others. If you want to get fancy ask if they can bend the steel for you. My local place will.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[b-dog]

https://www.metalsupermarkets.com/metals/
Local to you. I searched Langley, BC steel supply and came up with the above as well as a few others. If you want to get fancy ask if they can bend the steel for you. My local place will.

lg
no neat sig line

My local Metal Supermarkets in Denver is completely incompetent. They messed up 1/2 of my orders over a year so finally, I quit going there. It's a shame because it was a 1-stop shop for everything. I'm sure the problem is isolated here and hopefully your experience is more positive.

I use online metals if I need a short piece of something but I'm going to check out those other places listed in this thread. Thanks!

 

[cvairwerks]

Here is what my supplier has available: http://www.discountsteel.com/items/Rectangular_Steel_Tube.cfm

Click on view items, go to the size selection and have at it. 4x2x 14 ga is about half way down the pick box list.

 

[mike13u]

As stated, you should be able to find 1.50 x 3.00 with wall thicknesses in .065, .083,.125, and .188
In 1.50 x 3.50 a .188 wall is most common.
Nothing with 1.5" on the 'short side' of the tube over 3.5" that I'm aware of. Also, half sizes stop at ERW rectangular tube over 5"
Ask the person in the store you are buying from what sizes they get most commonly in your area. Ordering something that isn't as common often costs more money.
Best of luck.

 

[jimbbski]

https://www.shapirosupply.com/steel-hot-cold-galvanized/tube-and-pipe?cat=427

I've ordered from this company. Good prices and fast shipping.