Reccomended size tubing for roll cage?
 

I know your first response will be "use the search button". I couldn't agree more, but I tried it. Anyways, I need some advice from some experienced fabricators. I've built small rail buggies and used 1 1/2 .120 wall hrew.

I'm building an 81 4x4 single cab PU. I will be constructing an exo of the cab forward. I'm not spending the money on DOM, it will be hot rolled welded tubing. I am thinking 1 1/2" about .150. Do you think this will be too small?? Of course I want to be Plenty safe without too much overkill due to weight. I plan to gusset all of the corners, and of course I'll be bending it all up myself.

The salesman at the steel mill, measures wall thickness is sch. (ie: 1 1/2" schedule 10). I thought pipe was measued this way, and always measure tubing in inches, or gage. I will search the net for a schedule/Inches chart. Any feedback is apreciated.

Salesman is an idiot. Piping is SCH, tubing is gage or thickness as that is why they have different names.

Ive never seen in person any cage smaller than 1.75 x 0.12 wall

1.5 or 1.75 with 0.120 wall seems to be the norm. also, DOM is stronger than HREW, but more expensive too...

yeah I know drawn over is better, but I can only afford Hot rolled right now. I know 1 1/2 .120 is too small. I used it on vw based railbuggies at about half the weight of a toy. I would like to make it from 1 1/2" if it's strong enough.

if properly designed, 1.5" 0.120 wall HREW will be fine for a cage. i'll more than likely be using 1.75" 0.120 wall HREW for my cage... unless i can find a deal on DOM.

This is an amazing site. i was just getting on to ask the same question. I have two dies for my bender, a 1 5/8 and 1 7/8. I was thinking of going with the 1 7/8 just because it is stronger, and isn't that the whole reason we are doing this? After a good roll, you'll be thankful you used the best, and it's not that much more. By the way, I found a great source for tubing. Tube Service is a supplier and sell at wholesale prices. They quoted me $3.82/ft for 1 5/8 X.125 DOM and they have free delivery. The are located throughout the western US.

western US, boo. anyone know an east coast palce for DOM?