Most common steel sizes (plates, tubing)

[KevinH673]

I am working on changing a machine design from metric to US standard; however, I am vague on what sizes are harder to find than others.

Ive been told the 5/16" thick plates Ive been using are tough to find, to replace the 8mm thick plates currently used. Same for the 5/8" plates to replace the 15mm plates. Also, when I use tubing (say, 5"x3") and the thickness is 8mm or 15mm, I've been using 5/16" or 5/8" respectively again.

Are these sizes uncommon? Is it mostly 1/8", 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", and 3/4" that I should be using?

Cost is an issue in getting this project greenlit, but I'm also worried about everything fitting together, and adding too much weight on the motors by changing size.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

While there are some sizes that are easier to find and maybe cheaper - I would sugest you get with one or two local suppliers and see what they say. Depending on sources - some sizes tend to be "regional"

In the mid-west - most sizes are readily available - but go to Florida or California and often your choices are somewhat limited.

 

[moltenmetal]

By tubing, do you mean hollow structural steel?

If so, the best way to check is with suppliers. HSS wall thickness availability can be regionally variable. With rectangular HSS, we have found 5/16" to be an oddball wall thickness with 1/4" and 3/8" being common. We never use anything beyond 1/2" so can't say about 5/8".

 

[jenDL]

I'm in California and always get good information from a Ryerson catalog. Our local suppliers seem to have no problem getting the shapes noted on the catalog. The "stocklist" is available online at ryerson.com.

 

[KevinH673]

Thanks for the help, all.

 

[metman]

Also, when I use tubing (say, 5"x3") and the thickness is 8mm or 15mm, I've been using 5/16" or 5/8" respectively again.

5"x3"? Do you mean 5" O.D to 3" O.D.? If so, then note that Ryerson shows in their catalog for Carbon Steel tube 3" O.D.x5/16 wall in DOM welded, 3" O.D.x5/8 wall in CD seamless and 5" O.D.x5/16 or 5/8 wall in DOM welded. In 4140 2-1/8" O.D. to 4-1/2" O.D.x5/8 wall.

 

[metman]

Castle Metals has about the same selection as Ryerson in the tubing sizes referenced above. In the Ryerson Catalog these are listed under Sizes in Stock.

Ryerson also shows 5/16 and 5/8 hot rolled low carbon steel plate under Sizes in Stock and also ASTM A572(50ksi yield).