Any way to tell about quality of steel tubing?

acs55812 · Nov 17, 2006

I have a chance to salvage a bunch of computer cabinets (think refrigerator size or slightly larger) that have mostly 1 inch square tubing with 1/8th in wall thickness framing. There is probably 50' or better per cabinet----but these seem very very strong as in possible much better than average quality steel. Is there any "home brew" method to test and see if this just average or something better?

Thanks
Dan

sandman2234 · Nov 17, 2006

Nothing I can think of except to build something with it and see if it holds up?
David from jax

RonR · Nov 17, 2006

I doubt that anyone built those out of anything other than mild steel. No one would use more expensive material than necessary.

ron

NoMo · Nov 17, 2006

Do you know what brand/model coputer rack it is?

If so, you may be able to go to the manufacturer's website and get some additional information. Probably won't find the type of steel, but they should have weight ratings and other info.

acs55812 · Nov 17, 2006

I doubt the manufacture will say anything about what the frame are made of. They are IBM and each machine varies in weight somewhere between 400-700 pounds. Full they don't have any flex if rolling them and hitting a loading ramp or anything, empty they seem extremly durable.

czechsonofagun · Nov 18, 2006

acs55812 said:
I have a chance to salvage a bunch of computer cabinets (think refrigerator size or slightly larger) that have mostly 1 inch square tubing with 1/8th in wall thickness framing. There is probably 50' or better per cabinet----but these seem very very strong as in possible much better than average quality steel. Is there any "home brew" method to test and see if this just average or something better?

Thanks
Dan

The best bet would be to check the hardness - like Rockwell - and use it to estimate the strength.

In home brew style say using a chisel and a hammer to mark the steal - and compare it with regular construction steel from a store. The material you are talking about will not be heat treated and this could give you something to compare.

It would be of course better to replace the hammer with a press to make sure the force is the same.

Renze · Nov 19, 2006

If you would find out the tensile strength of these tubes, would you use this variable in any strength calculation of something you want to build ?

If you dont calculate anyways but guess-timate the required strength for your constructions based upon metalworking experience, the numbers wont be of much use anyways.

you might want to know the hardness or alloy, alloy elements have an efect on the quality of the weld strenth you can achieve, with the heat of welding you can generate hardening of the alloy which can cause cracks.

But i would be very suprised if tehy used any above average tubes for these things, bet they just use the cheapo quality of steel, or "piss bucket steel" as it is referred to in the Netherlands

acs55812 · Nov 19, 2006

Actually its not an "engineering" problem, this was asked more along the line of "IF this material is really something special and not what I can get everyday at regular steel suppliers it would make it more appealing to go thru the effort with salvaging and dealing with all the other components----it would be at least a few days work to tear it all apart and seperate it just to dispose of the electronics portion. IF its just average everyday stuff I gotta weigh the labor vs. just go buy steel at the local steel supplier (which adds up to a good price itself these days).

mschech · Nov 21, 2006

They're called "racks".
and before just considering the value as tubing,take a closer look.
Back in my day, they had 10-24 threaded holes every inch or so.
Think of how useful THAT could be.

Also look at whats in them. Quite often they have roll-around bases with height adjusters. And a AC power-control unit with a dozen or so outlets, all controlled by a 12V relay input. And sliding-shelf mounts rated at 200 pounds.

Sometimes they come in a 6' high variant, sometimes in a 3' high variant.
The 3' high ones are quite useful for roll-around workshop tables.

ALHILLDIRT · Nov 21, 2006

Like the others have pointed out, unless you have a specific need for a certain alloy or structural requirement I wouldn't see that it would really matter, unless you want to put a value on your time. However, you can touch a piece of steel to a grinding wheel, the more sparks the more carbon, which would be somewhat of an indicator of quality. Tool steel, for example kicks off a lot of sparks, which willl breakup and split again. But, like the others, I would think it was probably plain old mild steel.