A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing 1-5/8 in OD - Durable Shaft

In this review the A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing is assessed for workshop and light industrial use; the bottom line is that it is a solid, no-nonsense length of drawn over mandrel tubing best for replacement shafts, pins, and structural sleeves. The reviewer found the tubing meets expectations for strength and rigidity while noting slightly reduced machinability compared with softer steels. For anyone needing a precise 48 in length of A513 steel that meets ASTM-A513 and performs well in load-bearing fittings, this tubing delivers reliable material properties and useful dimensional consistency.

Key Features

• Material: High-carbon A513 / 1018 carbon steel provides strong, rigid tubing suitable for pins, rods, and shafts where stiffness matters.
• Dimensions: The 1-5/8 in outside diameter and 1.385 in inside diameter yield a 0.12 in wall that balances strength and weight for many drivetrain and structural uses.
• Manufacture: Drawn over mandrel production gives a consistent outside finish and tighter tolerances than hot-rolled equivalents, helping when fit is important.
• Standards: Meets ASTM-A513 so buyers can expect industry-standard mechanical properties and traceability for common applications.
• Length: The 48 in stock length allows longer runs without welding in many shop projects, saving time on joins and alignment.

Who It's For

This tubing is aimed at fabricators, machine shops, and hobbyists who need a durable, rigid steel tube for shafts, spacers, sprocket mounts, or structural members. It is particularly useful when a known standard like ASTM-A513 is required for compatibility with existing components.

Those who need easy welding, exceptional machinability, or very tight internal bore fits for bearings should consider other alloys or precision honed tubing, because the higher carbon content gives slightly lower weldability and some customers report a marginally smaller inner diameter than nominal.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good material strength and rigidity for pins, shafts, and load-bearing sleeves.
• Consistent outside diameter from the drawn over mandrel process aids repeatable fits.
• Meets ASTM-A513, which simplifies specification and inspection in industrial projects.

Cons

• Inner diameter can be slightly smaller than expected in some pieces, which may require reaming or boring for tight clearance fits.
• Higher carbon content means slightly reduced machinability and weldability versus lower-carbon steels.

Specifications

Standard	ASTM-A513
Material	A513 / 1018 carbon steel
Outside diameter	1-5/8 in
Inside diameter	1.385 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 a strong, ASTM-rated tube for shafts, spacers, or structural shop work; it offers good value and consistent outside dimensions. Buyers who prioritize easy welding or ultra-precise bore sizes should plan for extra machining, but for general mechanical uses this tubing is dependable and cost-effective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tubing suitable for shafts and pins?
Yes, the 1018 carbon steel composition and 0.12 in wall make it well suited to pins, rods, shafts, spindles, and sprockets.

Does it require rework to fit bearings?
Some customers report a slightly smaller inner diameter; if tight bearing fits are required, plan to ream or bore the ID to final size.

Can this be welded easily?
Welding is possible but the higher-carbon content reduces weldability compared with lower-carbon steels, so proper preheat or filler selection may be needed.