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Which steel do i use for chassis?

3 Mar 2014, 7:31pm
Hi all, in planning on my first build and was just planning on keeping it as simple as poss by doing the old box section chassis and welding it myself, question is can i use standard 25 x 25 x 2.2 box section steel or does it have to be any different? I.e. Seamless etc

Thanks
Ry.
4 Mar 2014, 12:51pm
Ideally you would want at least a hot rolled stocked section, structural graded if possible. It depends on the loads going through them. Unless you are putting huge axial or even minor bending into the section the joints, welds and the welding method will be the most critical
4 Mar 2014, 1:25pm
Hmm well in only planning the simplest design by the Haynes manual, really in just checking weather it will pass the sva or if it really matters.

Thanks .
4 Mar 2014, 2:49pm
Does the Haynes manual not specify the minimum steel quality and grade?
4 Mar 2014, 4:46pm
Ah yes it does say use 16awg... But im just checking that there's no other special requirements for type of steel or will any old 25mm x2mm box section do, also the book was published in 2000 so in guessing some laws may have changed?
9 Apr 2014, 8:41pm
25x25x2.2 box is a strange choice for a chassis, you could bend it over your knee, well almost.

In terms of legal requirements there is no requirement on the grade or type of tubing. If you do some research you will find that there is plenty of cheap tubing out there with high levels of impurities, avoid cheap imports!+
10 Apr 2014, 6:17am
Thanks for the reply, but if you can bend 2.2 tube on your knee then ill give you my house lol glad there's no legal issues and im only going for small power so it should hold up okay.