what size styrene tubing to use to build a roll cage

[jay8allday]

im planning these drag radial car builds and waned to know what size tubing to use because the website had a couple different sizes and just wanted to be sure before purchasing

[Guest Gramps-xrds]

In 1/25th scale, .040 is 1 in. .060 is 1 1/2 in. .080 is 2 in and .100 is 2 1/2 in. Pick the size ya want. Oh and .050 is 1 1/4.

If ya write these down and keep them, you should have no trouble scaling anything you want.

[eviltwincustoms]

I dont see anything, what scale are you specifically looking for? 1/25 like what Bill posted up or you looking bigger?

All you need to do is just identify the 1:1 size of something and scale it down to what you are working with. With styrene you may have to go either up or down, when they don't have the exact same size you need.

Are you looking for Accurate/Scale or do you just want what looks good? This will also determine how anal you are with scaling everything to size.

[jay8allday]

o this is going to be my first build from a scratch with the roll cage so what looks good im going to do a 57 chevy 8.5 outlaw car first so ill get the .60x10 styrene rod and see how i do with it. i seen your pro mod chassis that thing is insane man

[Chuck Most]

For a roll cage I wouldn't use styrene tubing- I'd go with solid rod. Aluminum or brass tubing would be workable, but if you're going with plastic (which would be the way to go if this is your first major project of this kind), solid styrene rod would be easier to work with than tubing.

[tyrone]

For a roll cage I wouldn't use styrene tubing- I'd go with solid rod. Aluminum or brass tubing would be workable, but if you're going with plastic (which would be the way to go if this is your first major project of this kind), solid styrene rod would be easier to work with than tubing.

I agree w/Chuck, I use evergreen #221 for mine.....

[eviltwincustoms]

o this is going to be my first build from a scratch with the roll cage so what looks good im going to do a 57 chevy 8.5 outlaw car first so ill get the .60x10 styrene rod and see how i do with it. i seen your pro mod chassis that thing is insane man

Thanks Jerry for the compliment, I agree with the others make sure to use Rod and not the tubing. Something you may want to think about is using one of the TopSportsman chassis from like the 55 chevy or 57 chevy kits. Tyrone here is a pro at reworking those and making them look like scratch built pieces of art! I am sure he would be willing to give you pointers if you decided to go in this direction as well.

Just remember, if you do decide to build an all out custom chassis. Use plenty of reference pictures and Measure twice and cut once! And if you come across something that doesn't look right as you are building, I can tell you from experience. Fix it first before moving onto the next part, because the chassis once started crooked, it may just be off a 1/16 or 1/8" but as you work towards the front or back of the car that small measurement will make a big difference at the other end.

[Dr. Cranky]

Useful information.