How Tube Is Bundled and Shipped
Tube leaves the mill in bundles: a set count of lengths, stacked in a fixed layout, banded tight and tagged. A standard bundle of 2 x 2 is 50 pieces, 10 across and 5 high.
From the Saw to the Truck.
Every bundle goes through the same steps at the end of the mill.
Cut
A flying cold saw cuts the moving tube to length, from 20 to 48 feet, leaving a clean end with little burr.
Stack
The stacker lays lengths side by side, a row at a time, until the bundle has its layout: 10 across and 5 high for 2 x 2.
Band
Steel or poly bands tie the bundle at several points along its length so it lifts as one piece (round tube is banded with steel only).
Tag
Each bundle gets a tag with its size, wall, spec, length, piece count and weight. The tag number is how a bundle is traced and claimed.
Store
Bundles wait under cover, since bare and pickled tube can rust if it sits wet.
Load
Overhead cranes load bundles onto flatbeds, usually several across the deck and stacked two or three high.
Standard Bundles.
Pieces per bundle from our bundle chart. Where the count changes with wall, the range is shown. The bundle planner gives the layout and weight for each size and wall.
| Size | 20 ftpieces | 24 ftpieces | 40 ftpieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 x 2 | 50 | 50 | 30 |
| 2.5 x 2.5 | 48 to 64 | 32 to 64 | 24 to 49 |
| 3 x 3 | 42 to 49 | 42 to 49 | 24 to 30 |
| 3.5 x 3.5 | 30 to 36 | 30 to 36 | 20 to 25 |
| 4 x 4 | 20 to 25 | 20 to 25 | 20 to 25 |
| Size | 20 ftpieces | 24 ftpieces | 40 ftpieces |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 x 1.5 | 49 to 70 | 49 to 70 | 35 to 49 |
| 3 x 1 | 50 | 50 | 40 to 50 |
| 3 x 1.5 | 60 | 60 | 30 to 42 |
| 3 x 2 | 35 to 49 | 35 to 49 | 24 to 42 |
| 4 x 2 | 35 | 35 | 20 to 30 |
| 4 x 3 | 30 | 30 | 20 to 25 |
| 5 x 2 | 32 | 32 | 20 to 24 |
| 5 x 3 | 28 | 20 to 28 | 12 to 20 |
| 6 x 2 | 30 | 27 to 30 | 24 |
Round tube: 2.000 OD bundles are 61 pieces, 2.500 OD are 37, and 3.500 OD are 24 at 20 and 24 feet. Structural pipe ships at 21 feet. Full Bundle Chart (PDF).
Questions.
Need bundles to fit your crane, your rack or your line? We bundle to your weight or piece limit; say so on the quote form.
How much does a bundle of tube weigh?
Most standard bundles weigh 2,000 to 6,000 lb. A 24 foot bundle of 4 x 2 x .120 is 35 pieces and about 3,850 lb.
Can I get smaller bundles?
Yes. Tell us the most your crane or forklift can lift, or the count your line wants, and we will bundle to it.
How many bundles fit on a truck?
It depends on weight more than space. A flatbed load of about 45,000 lb is around 11 bundles of 4 x 2 x .120 at 24 feet.
Does galvanized tube ship differently?
It ships the same way. Keep it dry and ventilated in storage: wet, tightly stacked galvanized tube can get white rust, which our claims policy treats differently from bare steel.
More Lessons
Put it to use: Bundle and Load Planner
Tell Us the Size,
Wall and Footage.
One size or a whole program, in mill lengths or cut to your length. The quote form takes about two minutes.