Square PBC Tubing

[Fred Sayre]

Originally Posted by ThomasP

Has anyone ever used square pvc tubing for their robot frame or parts on their robot? My dad suggested it and it sounded like a really good idea but before I start to attempt to convince my team I wanted to see if anyone had experience with using it before. Here's a link to it at McMaster-Carr, I was thinking about suggesting the 3/4" square with .137" wall thickness.

http://www.mcmaster.com/nav/enter.asp?pagenum=3359

PVC is often really easy to work with as it is quick to cut, and with fittings it is easy to make structure. I think PVC has a high likelihood to crack though, and the weight savings over aluminum might not make it worth it, especially in the square tube. (I have not used it before, but if you do end up using it it would be cool if you could post your overall experience with it!)

It looks like the wall thickness is about that of 1" schedule 40 round tube:
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pv...ons-d_795.html
I have made some things in the past from this 1" tube and when it takes some hits it has cracked pretty easily. It all depends on what you are using it for I suppose.