Pipe?tubing?

[59ih340]

Hello,I've asked this question on several tractor boards,several times and have had no one with an answer.So here goes.I do alot of work with old tractors ('50's era).The loader frames (freeman/wagner...etc.)are usually really beat,cracked, rewelded, bent etc.The one i'm trying to do now has an attatching frame the appears to measure out to be 2" schedule 40 steel pipe? anyone know if this is what they used?if not any ideas on what they did use?I can bend up some new pipe and remake the frame...if i know what to use.it's 50 yrs.later is there a better way?if so what should I use?TIA,for any ideas.

[gkent]

I build things using pipe and tubing and the way to tell them apart is:

pipe has a very evident seam on the inside, the seam will usually have flashing, pipe has a rough finish - almost like cast iron.

tubing has no visible seam, has a smooth finish both inside and out

Tubing welds a lot nicer.

The tubing that I've used is usually around 4 times the price sched 80 pipe of a similar dimension.

[zapster]

Tubing can have a welded seam also if its not DOM..

For what you want to do go with the cheapest way out..

Its still better than whats on there now...

...zap!

[59ih340]

That's what I was thinking.Plus the difference in 50+ years metal manufacturing should make a difference.out of all the pepole in the world with opinions on everything ,this has been the hardest subject to get any comment on .Thanks and keep the comments coming.

[gkent]

According to the Steel Tubing Institute, "DOM refers to high-strength, electrically welded tubing that has been further processed by cold drawing through dies and over mandrels to improve its uniformity, mechanical properties and surface finish. Because of its many advantages, DOM is the material of choice in many of the most demanding applications for tubing." Drawn-over mandrel tubing is produced to more exact outside and inside dimension tolerances, has a better finish without seams, and is widely used in high-stress applications requiring higher quality, uniformity, strength, and soundness such as a motorcycle frame and the frames used to build many other motorsports vehicles (stock cars, dune buggies, etc.).

[ZRx61]

Pipe is measured "I.D."
Tubing is O.D...

[tapwelder]

Typically, in my experience, seamed tubing is cheaper than similar sized schedule 40 pipe (e.g. 1.25" pipe vs. 1.5" tubing). However, If wall thickness is an issue you will be able to purchase tubing in a variety of thicknesses, sched 40 pipe wall thickeness fixed.

Are you trying to keep it authehtic? If not, then I'd go with whichever was easiest to work (tubing vs pipe bending dies) or cheapest.

[me37]

I'm pretty sure the dimensions of pipe haven't changed in 50 years. 2" pipe today should be the same dimension as 2" pipe from 50 years ago. You can get black iron pipe most anywhere and it's easy to work with. If you want more strength, you can go to schedule 80 -- the ID will be smaller, but the OD will be the same. You can also get seamless steel pipe for a little more money.