Good resource for cage materials?

Looking to order up some material to get started on my cage. Probably going to do the whole thing in 1.75x.095 DOM per RA rules. Figured I'd jump on here and see if anyone knew of a good place online, before I start calling all over MN lol.

Doug Davenport probably has a good local source in MN. Carl Siegler has caged a couple cars too.

Not all DOM is the same.

Here's a great summary statement:
"produced in “random lengths” that can range between 17 to 24 feet long. The best pricing is always when you order full lengths.
The grade is typically 1020, but may also be 520 or 1026. The 1026 grade is normally for OD's larger than
2" and wall thicknesses heavier than .156".
1020 and 1026 meet ASTM A513 Type 5. 1026 may also meet ASTM A519 and may also be referred to as
Cold Drawn Seamless (CDS), DOM or Hot Finished Seamless (HFS)."

I especially like the last part. In my experience, 1020 bends easier. In theory, 1026 welds easier but my guy doesn't notice a difference.
1020 can be a little cheaper.
A519 Type 5 is CDS essentially and usually the most expensive if you can even find it. Not common in US.
A513 Type 5 is 1026 and has 80k psi tensile strength and 70k psi yield.
A512 is 1020 and has 65k psi tensile strength and 55k psi yield.

There's also 1010 which isn't legal for rallying. I'm not sure that one is better than the other really. I've used both and the only difference I can see is in bending being easier with 1020. Both are legal for cages.

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Grant Hughes

But is bending easier a good thing? Maybe for ease of construction...

Thanks for the info Grant. Now I've got a little bit more info when i ask around, instead of just "xyz" DOM tubing lol.
Chad, yeah I'll shoot Doug a call tomorrow. Was at first planning on him doing the cage, but have since realized its nothing I couldn't take on. I'm at a point where I've got waaaay more time than money, soooooo..... Thanks for the reminder!

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phlat65
But is bending easier a good thing? Maybe for ease of construction...

Tough question. In a roll, I'd prefer a bend over a break in most circumstances.
Difference isn't huge, I notice it as we've done 8 cages recently. Oddly, everytime I've ordered, one or the other is all they have, which makes it easy and I don't have to choose.

A lot of my 1026 has been manufactured by Wheatland Tubing.

You will want 20 ft randoms also. Specifying lengths usually costs a bit more. 3 sticks of each 1.75 and 1.5 both 0.095 wall will give you enough for one car plus a little extra for mistakes or skidplate supports.

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Grant Hughes

Discount steel is right off 94 in Minneapolis and you can order online. I've bought from there before. That's probably were most people get it. discountsteel.com

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Dave Grenwis - DG Rally - www.dgrally.com

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DG_Rally
Discount steel is right off 94 in Minneapolis and you can order online. I've bought from there before. That's probably were most people get it. discountsteel.com

Holy crap!
1 3/4 x 12ga - $7.65/ft
1 1/2 x 12 ga- $6.47/ft

Both cut at stock 17ft lengths.....

If you're picking it up yourself, can you drop some off at my place in Andover on the way north?

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Dave Grenwis - DG Rally - www.dgrally.com

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DG_Rally
If you're picking it up yourself, can you drop some off at my place in Andover on the way north?

Oh def not a problem. $10/ft sound fair for fuel?

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deaner

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DG_Rally
Discount steel is right off 94 in Minneapolis and you can order online. I've bought from there before. That's probably were most people get it. discountsteel.com

Holy crap!
1 3/4 x 12ga - $7.65/ft
1 1/2 x 12 ga- $6.47/ft

Both cut at stock 17ft lengths.....

At that price, I'd keep looking.
Most I've paid was still under $4 per foot.

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Grant Hughes

$7.65 is still retail. You should be like Grant said around $4.00 per foot or less for DOM.

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First rally 2013
Rally car type AWD subaru
Total rallies as driver 6
Total rally cars built 2
Total rally cars caged 3
Total rally cars repaired from offs 4
Total years racing exp other then rally 19 yrs
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Reamer
$7.65 is still retail. You should be like Grant said around $4.00 per foot or less for DOM.

I guess I don't quite understand what that means. I've looked around online and at a bunch of the suppliers locally, $6-8/ft seems like the going rate. I haven't gotten crazy about digging too deep because I realized today , I'm going to have some work to do before I start on the cage. I got a seat today so I can start making mounts.

Steering arms for all you Howdy Audi pervs will be picked up Friday..
And they're good.
detailed piccies later but this will allow one spare lower strut tube to be used in all 4 locations...

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John Vanlandingham
Sleezattle, WA, USA

Vive le Prole-le-ralliat

www.rallyrace.net/jvab
CALL +1 206 431-9696
Remember! Pacific Standard Time
is 3 hours behind Eastern Standard Time.

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deaner

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DG_Rally
If you're picking it up yourself, can you drop some off at my place in Andover on the way north?

Oh def not a problem. $10/ft sound fair for fuel?

I've never paid for shipping by the foot before. Since I'm about 95,040 ft from Minneapolis, I'd have to say your rates are a little steep!

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Dave Grenwis - DG Rally - www.dgrally.com