Galvanized Fence Rails

[kevinthenerd]

Would galvanized fence rails be suitable for other applications? Do you think it'd be crazy to weld up a car chassis out of some? According to one website, the yield strength is 50 ksi, which isn't too shabby for mild steel. That works out that, given the actual dimensions of galvanized pipe, a 1 3/8" piece of pipe can handle a bending moment of 4500 lb-in (or 375 ft-lbs). I'd want to design the chasis as a space frame (with no bending moments), so any failure would probably be in compressive buckling anyway.

WHY??? It's cheap, easily workable, available, and well-known. That makes for some easy design and easy construction. I want to build my own little version of an Ariel Atom just to say I did.

 

[drnickriviera]

Zinc Poisoning http://www.aws.org/technical/facts/FACT-25.PDF
I doubt anyone would certify the car for track use, i'm sure they would want DOM tubing.

 

[iamwiz82]

This reminds me of the PVC "roll cage" for a Civic that was for sale on ebay long ago.

 

[JOJOBEAN]

you can most definately weld it, but beware welding galvanized steel is hazardous to your health and will make you damn sick for a few days if your not careful.

Too make it easier do not enhale that yellowish smoke.
So in review
Galvanized bad
Yellow smoke = bad

 

[kevinthenerd]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
This reminds me of the PVC "roll cage" for a Civic that was for sale on ebay long ago.

Galvanized steel is a LOT stronger than PVC. A PVC rollcage is quite funny to me.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

just use schedule 80 pipe. but you won't be able to weld either with your PSU welder...

 

[kevinthenerd]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
just use schedule 80 pipe. but you won't be able to weld either with your PSU welder...

I stopped trying to make my own welder a long while back and ended up buying myself one from Harbor Frieight.