have 2 1/2" A500 steel need 2 1/4?

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I have 2 1/2" hot rolled steel with welded seams. The wall thickness is .120 which makes the inner dimension 2 1/4".I need to know where I could possibly get 2 1/4" square hot rolled steel.I am trying to have the 2 1/4" slide up and down in the center of the 2 1/2" My steel yard doesn't supply 2 1/4" and I could find it online either.
Reply:Don't think there's such a thing as 2 1/4" tubing, but I could be wrong. It goes by 1/4's up to 2" then by 1/2's.The only combo that I can think of in that size range is 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3/16 wall and that will give you 1/8" clearance for 2", 1/4" wall will give you no clearance and won't fit. There is another wall thickness slightly heavier that we use at work  for a trailer hitch receiver but I can't find it online, it's over 3/16 and under 1/4, for some reason .220 sticks in my mind but I'm not sure. We call it receiver tubing but I don't know if that's just a name it picked up or if it's an actual description.....Mike
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Reply:That is what I am trying to do. That is from a guy who made one but I want to build one bigger to fit mine.It is for a kayak lift if you are curious.I also noticed that the steel he used has very sharp corners. Would that make a difference?
Reply:Picture is a complete bust!  Can't see anything.  Reduce your picture size to 800 x 600 pixels and repost it.Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:Originally Posted by Rick VPicture is a complete bust!  Can't see anything.  Reduce your picture size to 800 x 600 pixels and repost it.
Reply:Here's a trick I've used several times. Start with the 2.5"x .120 tube you have now, get 2" tube to go inside and weld a short section of 2"x2"x.187" angle into the end of the 2.5" tube. Weld another short section of 2"x2"x.187" angle onto the end of the 2" tube and then slide the 2" into the 2.5" from the opposite end that you welded the anlge on. This gives a "reasonable" fit for a pair of sliding tubes and prevents the 2" from coming all the way out by accident. Of course the "inner tube" is not centered in the "outer tube" so you need to compensate for that. Also, I think you'll find using 1/4" angle is just a little too tight. Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by markfugaHere's a trick I've used several times. Start with the 2.5"x .120 tube you have now, get 2" tube to go inside and weld a short section of 2"x2"x.187" angle into the end of the 2.5" tube. Weld another short section of 2"x2"x.187" angle onto the end of the 2" tube and then slide the 2" into the 2.5" from the opposite end that you welded the anlge on. This gives a "reasonable" fit for a pair of sliding tubes and prevents the 2" from coming all the way out by accident. Of course the "inner tube" is not centered in the "outer tube" so you need to compensate for that. Also, I think you'll find using 1/4" angle is just a little too tight.