A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing 1-1/8 in OD - Durable Tube

In this review of the A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing, the bottom line is simple: this tube is for fabricators, hobby machinists, and repair technicians who need a strong, dimensionally consistent steel tube for shafts, pins, and structural inserts. The reviewer found that the tube delivers the primary benefit promised by the material spec - notable rigidity and strength from A513/1018 carbon steel - while offering good value. Our review highlights real-world fit, material behavior, and a practical note about slightly snug inner diameter in some pieces.

Key Features

• Material: A513 cold roll carbon steel provides high rigidity and strength useful for load-bearing parts and structural repairs.
• Dimensions: 1-1/8 in outside diameter and 0.89 in inside diameter allow for predictable fit in many retrofit and repair applications.
• Wall thickness: 0.12 in wall gives a balance of stiffness and machinability for turning or drilling operations.
• Length: 48 in length is long enough for cuts, multiple small parts, or fabrication stock without needing immediate joins.
• Standards: Meets ASTM-A513 so buyers can expect consistent manufacturing and properties for mechanical uses.
• Common uses: 1018 carbon steel is appropriate for pins, rods, shafts, spindles, and sprockets in light- to medium-duty projects.

Who It's For

This tubing suits metalworkers making replacement shafts, DIYers building small machinery, and shops needing straight, rigid tubing for fixtures or structural inserts. It is particularly useful where steel strength and dimensional stability matter more than ease of welding or extreme machinability.

Those who need maximum weldability, stainless properties, or a very precise oversized inner diameter should consider alternative alloys or machining options; some customers reported the inner diameter can be slightly smaller than expected for tight-tolerance sleeve fits.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good material strength and rigidity for load-bearing and rotating parts.
• Accurate outside diameter makes it easy to design mating components around the tube.
• Long 48 in lengths reduce waste when multiple pieces or longer runs are required.
• Meets ASTM-A513, giving confidence in consistent production quality.

Cons

• Inner diameter may be slightly smaller than expected on some pieces, requiring reaming or bore finishing for tight fits.
• Higher carbon content means slightly reduced weldability and machinability compared with low-carbon steels.

Specifications

Standard	ASTM-A513
Material	A513 / 1018 carbon steel
Outside diameter	1-1/8 in
Inside diameter	0.89 in
Wall thickness	0.12 in
Length	48 in

Our Verdict

The A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing is a practical choice for anyone needing strong, straight tubing for shafts, pins, or structural parts. It offers reliable ASTM-A513 quality and useful lengths at a good value, though buyers should plan to ream or finish the bore if a precise inner diameter is required. Overall, it is recommended for fabricators and hobbyists who prioritize strength over maximum weldability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tubing easy to weld?
It welds acceptably for 1018 carbon steel but has slightly reduced weldability compared with lower-carbon steels, so proper technique and preheat may help.

Can the inner diameter be enlarged to fit a shaft?
Yes, customers commonly ream or bore the ID to achieve a precise fit; some units arrive with the ID slightly snug.

Is the length single piece?
Yes, the product is supplied as a single 48 in length suitable for cutting to size or using as long stock.