Best Place to Buy Tubing?

[NoControl]

Okay let's say I have a frame and I want to stretch it or add a tube. Is there a CHEAP place to buy suitable steel tubing for this sort of stuff?

 

[us56456712]

Okay let's say I have a frame and I want to stretch it or add a tube. Is there a CHEAP place to buy suitable steel tubing for this sort of stuff?

I cut up old frames and save the parts. I have even made 2 frames with old bike tubing and used a ghetto welder (several pieces of Romx home wiring spliced together attached to two car batteries with Vice Grips). I have 2 Miller Welders but still use my ghetto rig if I have to weld where there is no juice.

 

[RustyGold]

I have even made 2 frames with old bike tubing and used a ghetto welder (several pieces of Romx home wiring spliced together attached to two car batteries with Vice Grips)

real world MacGyver!
Jason

 

[hammer mechanic]

When I did gender reassignment/stretch surgery on my girl's CWC frame, I got nearly all of the tubing I needed from a Schwinn exerciser. Those things are chock full of good parts.

 

[NoControl]

When I did gender reassignment/stretch surgery on my girl's CWC frame, I got nearly all of the tubing I needed from a Schwinn exerciser. Those things are chock full of good parts.

Dang, I pass those up for free left and right. I'm going to slap myself now, and get back on track. Thanks for the tip. In the OP I was referring to new tubing stock, but now I see that there's a lot of options.

 

[SkyknightJohn]

If you do end up wanting raw, new stock, try Aircraft Spruce and Specialty: https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/mepages/4130tubing_un1.php
variety of sizes, priced by the foot, and they will cut and ship small quantities.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

Have you checked locally? Steel suppliers might require a minimum but local welding shops might be able to get what you need also.

What gauge are you wanting to use?

 

[Uncle Stretch]

When I was building frames, I bought from a steel company in Houston.
They would sell you a 21' piece of 1 1/2'' od for about $15 and cut
it in half for free. If you practice you could get two frames out of
21'. I used 16 gauge unless I was eating my wheties and would
use 12ga. It makes for a heavy frame but bullet proof.

 

[Indyjps]

Agree, old frames are a good source, look at 80's mtn bikes and some road bikes. Can get some nice large frames and if the brand is quality youll get chromoly.