A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing 1-1/4in OD - Durable Shaft

In this review of the A513 cold roll carbon steel round tubing, the bottom line is simple: this piece of shaft stock is for metalworkers and fabricators who need strong, straight tubing for pins, shafts, and small structural tasks. Our review finds the tubing delivers on strength and dimensional consistency for most projects, while offering good value for the material. The tubing meets ASTM-A513 and is supplied in a 36in length with a 1-1/4in outside diameter, so it arrives ready for cutting and machining into spindles, sprockets, or fuel tank fittings.

Key Features

• Material: A513 cold roll carbon steel provides high strength and rigidity, making it suitable for load-bearing parts and structural use.
• Exact sizing: The 1-1/4in outside diameter with a 0.625in inside diameter and 0.3125in wall gives predictable wall thickness for machining and interference fits.
• Length: Supplied as a 36in length, it is long enough for multiple parts or larger projects without immediate rejoining.
• Common uses: Made from 1018-style carbon steel, it is appropriate for pins, rods, shafts, spindles, and sprockets that require solid mechanical properties.
• Standard compliance: Meets ASTM-A513, which reassures buyers about the manufacturing process and baseline material properties.

Who It's For

This tubing is aimed at hobby machinists, small fabrication shops, and maintenance teams who need reliable carbon steel shaft stock that machines to common dimensions. It is especially useful when strength and rigidity are priorities, for example in drivetrain components or structural bracing.

People who need exceptional weldability or the easiest possible machining should consider alternate low-carbon or alloy steels; A513 is slightly lower in machinability and weldability compared with some mild steels, so buyers with those priorities may want a different grade.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good overall steel quality and strength, suitable for load-bearing components and mechanical parts.
• Meets ASTM-A513, providing consistency from piece to piece for repeatable fabrication.
• Convenient 36in length and common OD/ID sizes that match standard machining and fitting needs.

Cons

• Lower machinability and weldability compared with softer mild steels, requiring slightly different tooling or prep for welding.
• Some users report the inner diameter can be a little smaller than expected, which may affect tight tolerance fits.

Specifications

Standard	ASTM-A513
Material type	A513 cold roll carbon steel (1018-style)
Outside diameter (OD)	1-1/4in
Inside diameter (ID)	0.625in
Wall thickness	0.3125in
Length	36in

Our Verdict

The A513 cold roll tubing is a solid choice for machinists and fabricators who need strong, straight carbon steel shaft stock at a reasonable price. It is particularly good for pins, shafts, and spindles where rigidity matters; buyers should only be cautious if they need the easiest possible weldability or exact ID tolerances for press-fit applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tubing easy to weld?
It can be welded, but A513 has slightly lower weldability than softer mild steels, so proper prep and welding practice are recommended.

Can I machine this to tight tolerances?
Yes, it machines well for many applications, but expect it to be a bit tougher than very low-carbon steels; plan tooling accordingly.

Will the dimensions be exact for press fits?
Dimensions are generally accurate and the tubing meets ASTM-A513, but some customers report the ID can run slightly small, so measure before final assembly.