Rack tubing?
 

I'm going to be taking a beginners welding class soon and would like to build a rack for the bike. I have looked at all the suppliers of frame tubes and can't figure out if any of them sell the tubing for touring racks.
Could anyone please point me into the right directions for a supplier of rack tubing.
thanks,

what kind of welding, TIG?

I just buy my rack tubing from McMaster Carr. If you are going to get the rack powdercoated or plated, then you can go with 4130, and there are probably better choices than McMaster for that.

The local makers shop has a TIG welder and that is the class i am taking.
What size tubing do you use and what size plate metal do you use for tabs?
Thanks,

5/16" stainless for most tubing, .035 wall. You can get away with .028" in 4130, but the bends might not be as nice. I usually get 1/8" or 3/32" for tabs. You can buy tabs from a number of suppliers.

Rear rack might be better with 3/8" same thicknesses. I didn't really like 1/4" for anything, but I'll probably start using it for randonneuring front racks.

McMaster has steel tubing , not 4130 though, for half the price of 4130 at Aircraft Spruce.
https://www.mcmaster.com/standard-metal-tubing

mcmaster has 4130 tubing
https://www.mcmaster.com/metal-tubing

I wish it was easier to get a direct link to a page.


I usually use seamed stainless though.

My yet to be delivered order of 4130 tubes (for a rack) is coming from Stockcar Steel. https://stockcarsteel.com/ Not the best range of diameters and walls but good prices on what they do have.

My current rack project uses 4130 through out. 3/8" x .035" for the perimeter hoop and the center strut on each side. 5/16" x .035" on the rest. Andy

you could check and see if there's a place called "metal supermarket" near you. don't know what their total selection is since i just get regular weldable steel, but they sell to the public in small amounts, like a few feet.

10mm/3/8" used by Brice Gordon.. (Mine was from the early 80s , he was brazing them together, then)..
Tubus similar,

Bike Friday used 8mm ,, Blackburn used 8mm aluminum rod..