3/4” x .028 cm tube

[okawbow]

I picked up the tube this morning. Got 126’ of the .750x.028, and 38’ of the .625x.028, ( extra for practice welding) plus 5’ of the 1.125x .035.

The first two were $1.05 per ft, and the 1.125” was $.50 a foot. On sale.

All were marked ams-t6736a-condition n 4130

All tubes measure within a thousands or two for diameter all around, and wall thickness was also within a thousands or so. All tubes were clean and rust free, and straight.

Quality seems very good so far, but really won’t know until I try cutting and welding.

Wicks says they have over 7000 ft of the 3/4x .028 and 5000 ft of the 5/8x.028 in stock.

Chuck

[okawbow]

Here is a discussion on a snow mobile forum that brings up some good ideas about welding cromoly and about Chinese tube.

http://cs.amsnow.com/sno/general_discussions/f/14/p/46155/227819.aspx

[okdonn]

This is from another forum I monitor - where I first heard about the Chinese tubing issue:

"Vern,
The USA and German sourced is identified “Plytube” or “Bentelar” respectively; the Chinese that I have seen has no markings, they are not very proud of it either. If you polish the OD the US and G are very uniform, the Chinese is irregular and even appears to have cold laps in some areas.

At Wicks you can specify “no Chinese”, there is a small surcharge for doing so; well worth that IMO."

[okawbow]

I recently read that much if not most of the “American” 4130 tube is Chinese made raw tube that is processed by American manufacturers. Also that very little of the 4130 is made in the US or Germany.

The tubes I bought at Wicks are marked with grade and heat numbers. The finish and dimensions are good. It’s probably imported, but not marked as that.

I would much rather have US made, but they didn’t have any in stock, and I saved over $700.00. That might not make a difference to many, but for me; it probably makes the whole project possible. I’m famous in my area for doing things on the cheap, but my projects have always turned out very well.