Where to buy steel pipes? (cheap, preferably used)

[aiskylos2]

Hi, I'm planning to eventually build a carport with solar panels on the roof. Glass panels with integrated solar cells, each weighing 25 kg per 1½ sqm panel. The span/width will be just over six meters. I initially considered wood, but laminated wood is extremely expensive in those dimensions, which also ends up being incredibly bulky and large. So I'm thinking about steel pipes, like 40x40 square types. I have access to welding but thought maybe bolting it together would be better. Galvanized seems tricky to weld anyway, so I'm aiming to paint instead.

I've checked with the big wholesalers, but they seem to want to sell a whole truckload if I'm interpreting the prices correctly. I've been checking Blocket for quite some time now, but not much has come up there. The recycling depot in Malmö had nothing and informed me they rarely get anything in. I've checked with the local scrap yard (Eslöv), which has been bought by Stena, and they no longer sell to private individuals.

Grateful for any tips, anywhere in Skåne is fine. Or should I just give up on the budget thinking and shell out 15,000-25,000? I'm open to new ideas, and I welcome them with gratitude.

 

[Krilleman]

All plumbing wholesalers sell steel pipes in 6m lengths individually!

What dimension did you have in mind?

 

[aiskylos2]

All HVAC wholesalers sell steel pipes in 6m lengths individually!

What dimension were you considering?

But aren't they selling round pipes? I will check! I was thinking of 40x40 mm, at least that's what I've calculated.

 

[Krilleman]

There are galvanized square bars (that is, square tubes) at the HVAC wholesalers too!

The ventilation workers usually brace ventilation ducts and build various unit feet with these.

I will check it out tomorrow!

 

[Fredrik K]

As long as you are looking for common dimensions, it is usually not a problem to purchase small quantities from steel wholesalers. VKR 40x40, which you need, is very common, so they probably all have it in stock.

If you want it cut to size, they charge a premium for that, so if you want to keep the price down, buy full lengths and pick them up yourself if you can.

Edit: List price at Tibnor for VKR 40x40x4 S355J2H is 682kr+VAT for a 6m length.

 

[Krilleman]

It seems "stativrör" was indeed the correct term for the item I was thinking of.

But they appear to be 2mm thick and only in 3m lengths, not very expensive though.

https://www.ahlsell.se/10/varme--sanitet/montage/stativsystem/3820483v/

https://docviewer2010.ahlsell.com/Default.aspx?id=3820483V&sp=PRODB1

Edit:
Available at Dahl too. www.dahl.se, search for stativrör.

 

[johan_81]

Areco Direct in Malmö maybe?

http://www.arecodirect.se/sv/handelsstal/handelsstal/

 

[RiKr]

The metal wholesaler in Kristianstad, email for a quote, responds quickly

 

[Stickan56]

What length are you thinking of?
Biltema has 2m length, simple but not the cheapest.

Stickan

 

[Dan_Johansson]

https://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Galvade_Grundmalade_Fyrkantsprofiler_66846177.htm?ca=16&w=2&last=1

Cheap and quite good .. 40x40 with 3 mm wall thickness ... if you want to travel a bit ...

 

[aiskylos2]

[link]

Cheap and pretty good .. 40x40 with 3 mm wall thickness ... if you want to travel a bit ...

Saw it, a liiiitle far but thanks anyway.

 

[aiskylos2]

What length are you considering?
Biltema has 2m length, simple but not the cheapest.

Stickan

Considered them, but unfortunately too short. The posts will be almost 3 m and the "bärlinan" 4 and 6 m respectively. Thanks anyway!

 

[Dan_Johansson]

Those available at Biltema have a material thickness of 1.5 mm, and that is a bit thin for load-bearing building structures ...

 

[aiskylos2]

Those available at Biltema have a material thickness of 1.5 mm, which is a bit thin for load-bearing building structures...

Exactly. I managed to bend one by anchoring a shade sail to it. Didn't go so well. I'm trying to revive my strength of materials knowledge from high school, and that's not going great either.