A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing - Strong 7/8in OD

In this review of the A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing, the bottom line is simple: this is a straight, no-frills length of drawn-over-mandrel 1018 carbon steel tubing built for strength and dimensional consistency. It is best for fabricators, hobby machinists, and repair technicians who need a 72in bar of tubing with a 7/8in outside diameter and a 0.083in wall for pins, shafts, or retrofit fuel tank work; the single biggest reason to buy is the combination of rigidity and familiar 1018 steel properties that suit turning, drilling and press-fit applications. The review draws on customer feedback and the product specification to highlight real-world fit, strength, and a minor note about inner diameter fit.

Key Features

• Material: A513 cold roll 1018 carbon steel provides high strength and rigidity for load-bearing parts and structural use.
• Precise OD: 7/8in outside diameter gives a predictable outer size for fittings and fixture locating.
• Usable ID: 0.71in inside diameter allows for shaft and pin clearance for many common repair and fabrication tasks.
• Wall thickness: 0.083in wall balances weight and strength for shafts, spacers, and short runs of piping.
• Length: Supplied as a single 72in length that is convenient for long cuts, multiple parts, or large repairs.
• Standards: Meets ASTM-A513, providing a known manufacturing and material standard for industrial projects.

Who It's For

This tubing is aimed at metalworkers who need a sturdy, standard-grade carbon steel tube for making pins, rods, shafts, spindles, sprockets or simple structural elements. It suits hobby machinists and small shops that frequently turn and drill 1018 steel, or anyone repairing automotive or agricultural equipment that calls for durable round tubing.

Those who need exceptional weldability, stainless corrosion resistance, or exacting thin-wall tubing for fluid transfer should look elsewhere; the product has slightly lower weldability and machinability compared with some other alloys and is plain carbon steel, so surface protection is recommended for outdoor or corrosive environments.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Good overall steel quality and strength, making it reliable for load-bearing and mechanical parts.
• Accurate outside diameter helps with fitment into fixtures and housings where OD is critical.
• Long 72in length gives flexibility for multiple parts from one piece and reduces waste.
• Meets ASTM-A513, offering a consistent manufacturing standard for industrial use.

Cons

• Inner diameter can be slightly smaller than expected in some pieces, which may limit clearance for some shafts or inserts.
• Not as easy to weld or machine as lower carbon or more weldable alloys, so extra care is needed during fabrication.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The A513 Cold Roll Carbon Steel Round Tubing is a practical, value-oriented choice for builders and repairers who need a durable 72in length of 7/8in OD tubing for shafts, pins, and spindles. Its combination of strength, ASTM-A513 manufacturing, and common 1018 material make it a sensible buy when OD accuracy and rigidity matter; just verify inner diameter fit for precision clearances and plan for corrosion protection if exposure is expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tube suitable for making shafts?
Yes, the 1018 carbon steel and 0.083in wall are commonly used for pins, rods and shafts where strength and rigidity are required.

Will it weld easily to other steels?
It can be welded, but A513/1018 has slightly lower weldability than some alloys, so appropriate technique and filler selection are recommended.

Are the dimensions accurate?
Customers report generally accurate OD and wall thickness, but some pieces have a slightly smaller ID than expected, so measure before final machining.