steel strength

[Davy]

I'm just a shade tree welder, welding little projects in my garage. I'm thinking about making a small trailer next but I'm still not sure which metal to use. I'm wondering if there is a list of metals anywhere such as sq tubing vs channel comparing the strength of one against the other. In other words, would a piece of 1x4 channel be stronger than a piece of 1x4 11 ga. sq tubing? Is there such a list comparing one to another? I appreciate any help you can provide.

[JonB1974]

Howdy Davy, as far as the steel strength goes there are many resources on the net for finding the flexural strength numbers just google them. http://www.steeltubeinstitute.org/pdf/b ... le_bro.pdf As far as, building a trailer I have included here a scan tutorial on the "Building of a utility trailer". The strength of a given shape of metal is in relation to how you utilize the structure. Meaning, if I use a C-channel generally the load is place on it as in a I beam vertically. A square tube will allow the loads to come from multiple directions. Generally, I use C-channel only as a weight saving measure on a trailer around the perimeter frame. Hope this helps. Here are the pages of the tutorial in order by page number.......enjoy your new machine.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/147.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/148.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/149.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/150.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/151.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/152.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/153.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e12/D ... ba/154.jpg

[Davy]

Thanks Jon for the fast reply, that helps alot.

[Jake323]

good link, I have wondered this myself.

[fl70]

To JonB1974:
Appreciate the scans!

[strube1369]

New members, this exchange is an example of what we mean when we say this forum is comprised of friendly, helpful, and knowledgable folks!

[junes]

first of all 1x4 is not sq tubing and the strength is dependent on the thickness of the channel