Steelworks 16-gauge hot-rolled mild carbon steel square tubing for light shop rack uprights, equipment stands, sturdier gate rails, custom workbench legs, and trailer racks. Easy to cut, drill, and weld - the standard fabricator stock for repair, replacement, and small-project work where a closed section beats angle iron for torsional rigidity.

• Cross section: 1" x 1" square
• Length: 36"
• Wall thickness: 16 gauge (about 0.063")
• Material: Hot-rolled mild carbon steel (A513 grade)
• Finish: Plain mill - uncoated, has light mill scale; prime within 24 hours of any cut or grind exposure for outdoor service
• Weight: about 2.48 lb
• Fabrication: Cuts with hacksaw or angle grinder cut-off wheel; welds with stick (6011, 6013, 7018), MIG (ER70S-6), or TIG (ER70S-2); drills with HSS or cobalt bits
• MPN: 11741

Use Case: The 1" x 36" stick is ideal for a single bracket or short repair, cuts to 18", 12", or 9" sub-pieces with minimal waste. A closed square section resists twist and bend in both axes, which is why fabricators reach for square tube over angle iron when a part needs to take load from more than one direction.

Tip: Mill-finish steel flash-rusts in hours under humidity - hit cut ends with cold-galv spray or rust-inhibiting primer immediately after fabrication. Before welding, grind the mill scale back about 1/2" from each side of the joint to expose clean steel for a porosity-free weld. Center-punch before drilling to prevent the bit from walking off the corner radius, and back the inside of the cut with a sacrificial wood block to keep the bit from grabbing as it breaks through the back wall.