DOM tubing source in the Northeast

vlocci · 12-21-2005, 11:08 AM

Anyone have a source for DOM tubing for a roll cage?

I've called every local steel shop and no-one is stocking it anymore. Asked for DOM, and cold drawn. They know what I'm talking about, but dont stock it.

I prefer something local to Boston, but am getting desperate and am willing to ship or drive.

Thanks,

Vin

Tim Hancock · 12-21-2005, 11:31 AM

Aircraft Spruce and Specialty stocks 4130 (chrome moly) steel in a wide variety of sizes. It is expensive compared to mild steel, but it is way stronger and welds nicely.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Seems Chrome Molly is a bit harder to weld and treat...at least according the previous posts I've read.

Some have recommended using A513 type 5 DOM tubing available from http://www.onlinemetals.com/

Here's an excellent thread to do some research if you haven't already done so Anyone here build their own cage?

vlocci · 12-21-2005, 11:42 AM

Thanks for the suggestions.

Onlinemetals is a thought, but they cap the lengths @ 6 feet. Makes the main hoop in one piece kinda difficult.

4130 is a possibility, and oddly enough I can source that locally. Problem with 4130 is the post weld treatment. Done right, you need to relieve the stresses built up during the welding process. I rather go plain jane carbon steel and pay the weight penalty than have to deal with 4130.

I've got lots of experience doing this, but am new to New England and am still having trouble inding sources.

Thanks for the suggestions so far,

Vin

RickM · RickM's Garage

Vin, Try a search on the Thomas Register: http://www.thomasnet.com/

A couple of hits...

MicroGroup, Inc. Contact
7 Industrial Way
Medway, MA 02053
Phone: 508-533-4925, 800-255-8823 (toll free)

RAM Fabricating Corp. Contact
412 Wavel St.
Syracuse, NY 13206
Phone: 315-437-6654

greglepore · 12-21-2005, 12:31 PM

Do a search for Metals Depot-they'll ship any lenght, although UPS limits them to 10 ft, otherwise its freight. I bought their stuff for my 914 cage, excellent service.

kevgentile · 12-22-2005, 04:07 PM

i have been buying dom tubing from ledford steel (metalsdepot.com). i have ordered over 400 feet of tubing from them and they willcut to length and give great discounts for if you order a full 20' piece, and they will cut it to ship ups.

AvonGil · 03:39 AM

I have bought mild steel DOM from Tri State Tube & Supply, Inc. in Newark NJ many times. I dont think they ship though.

4130 does not make any sense unless you heat treat it afterwards or braze it instead of welding. If you dont you end up with a weld that is just as strong as a 1018 tube, but you just spent 3X more money and 3X longer cutting it.

Fud · 12-22-2005, 05:30 PM

Marmon/Keystone Corp. in Southampton, MA. All they sell is tubing and pipe. Here's there web site (www.marmonkeystone.com) They should have it.

12-22-2005, 05:45 PM

GUYS, PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STRESS RELEIVE OR HEAT TREAT YOUR WELD JOINTS ON 4130 STEEL!!! I cannot tell you what a massive wive's tail this is. The first problem with this wide-spread misconception is that people cannot seem to agree if they're supposed to stress relieve or add-back heat treating - 4130 is not a heat-treated material from the mill. So if you're going to do anything you need to stress relieve the temper that the welding imparted, but, that is impossible unless you're going to bake the entire chassis in an oven. It is commonly said that you can use an oxy-acet. torch to heat the welded area until it is (and this is another vague aspect of this myth) hot enough before it glows or clear up to a near-yellow red. The fact is that 4130 must be heated and cooled in steps with each step at a certain temperature and period of time. Without more specifics, it is a somewhat progressive process. Heating this material until it is any sort of red color will only induce oxidation and other molecular issues.

4130 is still a great roll cage material if you want to pay for it and without worrying about post-weld treatment. The best thing you can do to setup for this type of welding is to do it in a 70-degF+ ambient environment with the material at similar temp. TIG welding is best with lots of argon. Purging the inside of the tube while running a low-press flow is even more beneficial.

Jim Richards · 12-23-2005, 03:26 AM

I purchased DOM tubing for my roll bar from:

Dillsburg Aeroplane Works (The)
114 Sawmill Rd. Dillsburg PA 17019
717/384-5865 717/432-4589
Complete line of raw materials, including 4130 tubing, sheet, bars, aluminum 2024, 6061, 5052 tubing, sheet and bars.

mattmcginn · 12-23-2005, 04:27 AM

Try DuBois Motorsports in Charlton. They are only about 45 mins from Boston on the pike.

Phone number is 508 248-7018. The owner's name is Dickie, he knows me.

I buy all my DOM through him. His prices are as good as anyone's (he deals with the circle track crowd mainly) and his selection is good.

jluetjen · jluetjen's Garage

Call Chris Foley (Racer Chris on this BBS) at CFR Welding in Manchester CT. Its about 80 minutes from the Boston area. He's qualified for the SCCA Runoff's the last couple of years and is very knowledgeable about the materials and construction of SCCA legal cages. In addition to his own 914 he's also done the cages in a number of other cars.

vlocci · 12-23-2005, 08:11 AM

Thanks all, Looks like I've got several semi local suppliers, most of which have material in stock.

Just need to find time to start bending tube,

Vin

deanp · 12-23-2005, 09:39 AM

DuBois in Charlton is an easy drive from Boston. Pike out to Exit 9 (Sturbridge), RT 20 east for about 10 minutes, 2nd light and I believe they are on a side street to the left.

You could get off in Auburn as well, but then you have 1/2 hr further on 20 with more lights / traffic.