Roll Cage out of steel gas pipe?

[FestivaBoss]

I want to put a roll cage on my festiva, i dont want to spend a lot on it! i was thinking of using steel gas pipe! Any thoughts or ideas?

[Hot_Wheels]

Gas pipe is to heavy and would be more exspensive then mild steele.

http://www.mandrel-bends.com/catalog/collectors-x-pipes-t-s-100/formed-collectors-101/4-1-formed-50/

[Movin]

Flexible exhaust pipe goes in easy!! Nice cool look, almost as good as pvc pipe!
You can order exhaust pipe in thicker walls or in stainless that can be bent in
a exhaust machine bender. It would have a certain amount of uncertified usefulness
and the look as well. It will not perform or function like a real chrome moly roll bar.
It isn't the best idea to add weight that high above the ground with gas pipe where
chrome moly would be stronger with less weight and would actually stiffen the shell.

[FestivaBoss]

awarsome idea thanks!!

[GenevaDirt]

Summit Racing has kits you can order online.

[Advancedynamix]

you can just use foam pool noodles, since roll bars are covered in foam anyway, no one will know. Super lightweight and easy to bend, and cheap and several colors to choose from, just keep your foam cage away from dogs, they love to chew those things up!

[sasquatch]

having pipes that can bend easy and fly around in a car if they snap off in a crash are WAY more dangerous than having no roll cage at all... build it right or don't build it at all if you ask me...

[Safety Guy]

Sasquatch wrote:

"Having pipes that can bend easy and fly around in a car if they snap off in a crash are WAY more dangerous than having no roll cage at all... build it right or don't build it at all if you ask me..."

I agree. Go with the foam rollers alone (maybe with some light support here and there) for the "look," or build a real one that will save your bacon in a crash, or go with nothing at all.

Karl

[Coldhand]

Why are you putting in a roll cage? If you are going to enter the car in a sanctioned race of any sort they will minimum guidelines for the type, size and thickness of the metal pipe as well as the mounting plates and for welding of the joints.
But your question of gas pipes: The gas pipes are too rigid. When they get lateral pressure they would crack and shear causing sharp pipes to puncture humans in a crash. Whereas the mild steel will bend under the same pressure, which still gives you the protection.
Therefore, do not use the black gas pipe!!
The mild steel pipe kits from summit are not that expensive. The real money is the person who knows where to put the pipes and mounting plates, how to properly weld ALL the joints, and how to give enough clearance with complete protection.
Good luck, there is plenty of information out there to where to mount the pipes and plates, if you feel you are a cracker-jack fabricator. I will be happy to send you pictures of our inspected roll-cage.

[FestivaBoss]

Am not a bad welder.....i live in Northern British Columbia, am going to use it to go fishing at the weekends. That means i could be doing 800km on gravel roads in a weekend. I want some kind of protection in case i hit a ditch or something.

[PhoenixSHO]

Grab real pipes (mild or chromoly-expensive) at your local metal shop , or welding place. Then you can have them bended to your needs (not all metal shops can bend pipe without collapsing on itself - it takes a good machine.) Thats what I did , and I was told the harbor freight bender is a no-no because the pipe will buckle at one point.

[william]

Hf bender will do if you pack the pipe with sand and water duct tape bolh ends and take your time.
Also with the hf bender i use the smaller die and grind it fit the pipe.
But if you have some to do it for you go that route.