Stainless Steel Tube with a Square Cross-Section

Del,

A quick FEA shows the 25x2.0 to deflect less. Forgive the mixed units, but a 10cm piece restrained at both end faces evenly loaded (distributed along entire top face) with 100lb, the 25x2.0mm profile deflected 0.00011" and the 30x1.5mm deflected 0.000396" (almost 4x). Hope this helps!

Edit: I assumed 304 Stainless, by the way. I re-ran the 30mm profile with 18" length (about as much as my weak-a$$ FEA will handle) and got slightly over 0.001" maximum deflection with same 100lb load.

Cheers...

30@1.5-- any time.

L/R is better.

mm

You should use rectangular section tube 20x30x1.5 for your computer table, with 30 is front section.

B/c of after building the table 20x30 is nicer than 30x30 or 25x25.

Nam

I wanted rectangular, but can only easilly obtain the sizes stated in small qty reasonable cost.

As My granny used to say 'Ya cannae buy wha' they hav'nae got'

(I keep explaining to Mrs Cat ..this also applies to grocery shopping )

Del

If profile is an issue, why not try a stiff hardwood instead? Oak planks are available in that length x 5¹/₂in x ⁵/₈in from J Gard and Sons, timber merchants, of East Hanningfield http://www.gards.co.uk/index.php (usual disclaimer).

You mean, with no 'beam' underneath? Could be goos and oak would look good. I'll look at the price..cheers .

Del

Del:

FYI,

Next time you are wondering which type of cross section of tubing to use that has more stress resistance, just look up the Section Modulus (S) of the sizes you are considering. The Section Modulus is given in mm³ or in³. The higher the number usually indicates a higher strength for the applications you will be using them for. Section Modulus tables are usually available from the supplier or you can find them in the Machinery's handbook.

I don't have a Machinery's Handbook .

I'll have a closer look at the suppliers website tho'

Cheers.

Del

If you screw through into the wood top, this will also increase the rigidity! or if you put a slight upward bend in the beam! (only a very small bend!) Remember the trick with the karate chop? No! Hold a piece of wood about half inch square and a foot long out at arms reach, now just put a bit of upward bend in it! get your buddy to try and karate chop it! If you don't put the bend in it, he will slice through it like butter! so he holds it first, and you chop and break it, then he has a go, but you sneak in an upward bend and he nearly breaks his hand!!! Did this as a kid and had great fun with it!

Let me know what type of tubing you want, I'll get it too you.

Cheers

! Gasp .

..nice offer

...it's a long way to Harlow in the UK... Are you really serious!!!!????

I'll PM you with details... if you can make such a cool thing happen...you must be the steel tube wizard...

Cheers

Del

I don't have a Machinery's Handbook

Try this site http://www.engineersedge.com/section_properties_menu.shtml