The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop need some rectangular tubing

I am at the point in my project where I need some rectangular tubing for a trans crossmember.
I am on the north side of Chicago and am looking for a source for rectangular tubing for a crossmember. I'm looking for a piece 3" x 1-1/2" x 1/8" wall of HSS tubing, 4-5 feet long shoud do it.

I've tried googling it but end up with too many choices and don't want to pay shipping if I can pick it up.

Any members have a source they've used in the Chicago area that works with the little guy?

Thanks, Brian

I don't know about Chicago, but out here there is a scrap place called "Allen Steel" that would have just that. They buy and sell new and used pieces of steel and alluminum.

If you can't find it at a scrap place, you should be able to find it at a hotrod or motorcycle fabricater shop, or at the very least ask them where to get it.

You might try Metal Supermarket. I occasionally use them here in Ft. Worth. They won't be cheap, but they are convenient. And the one here has a shelf of ends and pieces that are pretty cheap.

regards,
Leon

Here we have one called Padnos. I know they have several yards in Mi. Maybe Il. ?

Would that be something a welding or fabrication shop would have? Have you tried your local Yellow Pages? If a welding shop doesn't have it, they might know who does.

I don't know what HSS is, but I'm always amazed at what my local Mennonite welder has in stock.

Regards,
John

One of the two nearest welding supply places I deal with also sells steel. We have a big scrap metal place which is where I would check first.

Sorry I don't know Chicago well enough to give specific answers local to you.

HSS is the new discription for tube steel sections in the construction trades. This is a structural steel term and is not genererally used for the smaller, lighter gage material. HSS means Hollow Steel Section. HSS designation is also used for round sections. The American Institute of Steel Construction has published data that defines the properties of each Hollow Steel Section used in the structural steel industry, both square sections and round sections.

You might try McMaster Carr. They have tube steel. They have an online catalog. Usually next day delivery.

I like metalsdepot.com (ledford steel). Good selection, no minimum order and reasonable shipping.

You might try Adams Steel Service in McHenry, IL. (northwest of Chicago) They are on the east side of town on Rt. 120. Phone# 815-385-9100 It's been awhile, but I've had good service buying small lots of metal from them for various projects.

John

Thanks for the suggestions.

This page will provide you with a list of common sizes available at most metal suppliers. There is bound to be a supplier near you. This link is page one of four pages:

Speedy Metals

Those sizes are common to all major metal suppliers being presented by metal producers; standard stock sizes.

Some suppliers sell scrap lengths, others require you to buy a full stock length, often as long as 20 feet. I have found if you go in then talk with a salesperson, explain you only need a short length, you can look through scrap bins then pay only a per foot price.

Look through your Yellow Pages, bound to be a supplier near you.

Home Depot carries a decent variety of short lengths of small sizes, in different shapes, both steel and aluminum, mostly square tubing and round tubing along with flat, angle and rod. Have a look at Home Depot if your need is for relatively small box tubing, you might luck into rectangular tubing.

Look in the Home Depot fencing aisle for black ornamental fencing, some select sizes are available but not many, largest in fencing size is about 2 inches by 2 inches, fence post if I remember right. I recall seeing some rectangular box tubing, black powder coated.

Best bet is a local metal supply yard.

Billyray

metal buyers mart, on-line metals, etc. There are hundreds of metal retailers in the Chicago area to, considering Ryerson is based in Chicago

I ordered from speedy metals, easy to do and they came the next day. Can't beat that. Thanks for the suggestions