I have the opportunity to purchase a ton of this stuff for VERY cheap, but I'm concerned that it's just not strong enough to build cages with. My instincts tell me to stay away from it and stick to .120 wall, but I figured I'd get some opinions from people who know what they're talking about.

So, buy it or walk away?


BTW, I've seen .095" and .120" wall mentioned in the past and in my searches, but not .100" which is why I posted this.


Thanks in advance

Originally posted by Cajun
I figured I'd get some opinions from people who know what they're talking about.

Then why did you come here? :D

No, seriously, most comps require at least .120 no matter what size the tubing is. The most recent set of rules for RCAA are ambiguous on this point though. I do know that there's no way for most comps to check either though. I mean, there are methods, but none of the comps can afford them. I know that many of the buggies you see in comps are running .085 wall.

J. J.

Originally posted by patooyee

..... I know that many of the buggies you see in comps are running .085 wall.

J. J.
is this to save weight?

A little quick math indicates to me that 120 wall is 15% stronger then 100 wall.

Originally posted by joes75bronco

is this to save weight?

I don't know for sure, but I'm sure that that's part of the reason why. I'm sure another part is that 1.5x.085 is so much cheaper than everthing else since it is used en masse in the race-car world, too. These guys get away with it because there is no one checking at the RC comps. (No way to, unless you tear their rig apart.) But I think that one of the larger comps is going to be using some sort of checking device soon. (Forget which one. Heard this third-hand a little while ago.)

Me? I use 1.75x.120 because I can't afford to replace my tubing halfway through every season and I put more value on my life than some others, I guess.

J. J.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by joes75bronco

is this to save weight? [/QUOTE

YES , SAVES ON WEIGHT AND COST
1.5 / .120 DOM IS WHAT WE ARE USEING


I think it is strong enough , hell alot of guys 1.5 / .095 erw. If its A good deal buy it .:D

Let's see if I can clear a few things up...

Patooyee, I was planning on using 2" x .120 wall DOM for my cages (wife's Scout II and my CJ buggy). The only reason I'm considering this is because of the price. Like you, I guess I value my life more than others, not to mention the lives of my wife and someday children. If I build something that dosen't cut it and I get hurt, that's one thing. If my wife were injured, or God forbid killed due to a failure of something that I designed or constructed, I would have a real hard time living with that. While I trust my design and welding skills, I am unsure about the actual strength of the tubing in question.

Fish, I know that alot of the comp guys are running thinner wall tubing to cut weight. However, at @5000#, the Scout will be close to double what I imagine the average rock buggy weighs.

While I'd love to be able to use this, save some $$$ for other toys, and be done with it, cost will not be the deciding factor in my cage material. I can't put a monetary value on the safety of my family.

Thanks for the input guys, keep it coming. Does anyone know where I could find the tensile and yield strenghts of various wall thicknesses of DOM and HREW tubing?

Originally posted by Cajun
If I build something that dosen't cut it and I get hurt, that's one thing.

With children, even that is not a good way to look at it because you don't want them growing up without a father.

However, all of this being said, my next cage is going to be 1.5x.120 because I DO feel that it is strong enough for a stout cage if the design and welding is good.

J. J.

Anyone else? Tinbender? Eric@FatCity? Any of the PolyGoats? SnortClown or Neckster?

Not that I have alot of experience in cage building, but i think that the design will more than make up for it. a poor designed .120 wall cage wont hold up, while the .100 may hold up just fine.. expecally if it is well designed.

Garrett

Our comps require a 1/4" inspection hole in a non-critical area so we can check thickness.

Originally posted by tsm1mt
Our comps require a 1/4" inspection hole in a non-critical area so we can check thickness.

Thats useless for certifying thickness. You can always weld in a section thats the required thickness in that area, drill the hole and be under spec for the rest of the cage.

Originally posted by mike


Thats useless for certifying thickness. You can always weld in a section thats the required thickness in that area, drill the hole and be under spec for the rest of the cage.

Most of our guys aren't that worried about cheating..

And it doesn't say the Tech Inspectors can't make a new hole if they feel it's necessary. :D

Personally, if you want to use muffler tubing for your cage... I just see Darwinism at work. Go right ahead.

Originally posted by tsm1mt


Personally, if you want to use muffler tubing for your cage... I just see Darwinism at work. Go right ahead.

I agree, and its why I just wouldnt bother :D

Originally posted by mike


I agree, and its why I just wouldnt bother :D

Insurance likes to know we take steps to make sure everyone's safe. :D

And I don't REALLY like injuries on the course.. 1) folks get hurt, 2) we have to stop the damn race! :D