25mm RHS - 2 or 2.5mm wall?

[brewdexta]

I'm making some small benches and tool stands out of 20 and 25mm box section and want to know if 20mm box fits inside 25mm box with 2 or 2.5mm wall best. I want some sections to slide out and extend without being baggy or tight. I'm guessing 2mm wall.

I'm going down to the local steel stockist tomorrow to see if I can get them to waive their usual £300 minimum order. K-steel at Rawtenstall, I'll probably be spending towards 200 quid in total as I will get steel for bigger projects at the same time but 300 quid may a bit much after the VAT and I haven't got all the cutting list done for all the planned projects yet so may end up with the wrong steel if I try to go for £300 - plus the GF would go ballistic

 

[BillJ]

2.5mm gives absolutely no margin for error so it may be tight or it may not fit at all. I'd expect 2mm to work.

 

[Tiggy_dorset]

steel box in particular usually has a seam join down one side on the inside of the box, reducing tolerance further.

As Bill said, the 2mm will most likely work, but 2.5 is doubtful

 

[brewdexta]

Cheers guys :-) just checking in case its usually an imperial equivalent with a bit more wiggle room.

 

[pedrobedro]

You can get 1" 16g which is a thinner wall and you can get 25mm with a 1.5mm wall which is almost the same.

 

[KemppiFrog]

20 ito 25 with 2mm wall works fine. Been using some today. 2.5 wall I doubt, partially because the corner radius is larger so it will jam on the smaller tube at those points.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Even if it's not as snug as you would like, a few little tacks along the length, polished back with a flap wheel will tighten the fit to exactly what you want

 

[chevy2]

£300 minimum order! Yikes,
thats a bit strong, they obviously dont need customers,

Steel places down in the south east start from £0-£75+vat which is the highest one for a min order.