Steel pipe goes into fence posts, gates, handrail, bollards, pens, equipment frames and oilfield skids as often as it carries fluid. We source new A53 and A106 pipe in the common sizes and schedules, plus used oilfield pipe for ranch fencing, arrange the cuts, and deliver across Texas.
What it's used for and how to choose
Start by asking whether the pipe carries pressure. If it does, the spec, schedule and certs matter, and the job decides them. If it's structural or fence work, you're choosing by outside diameter, wall and how it looks. Pipe is sized by nominal pipe size (NPS), and below 14" the actual outside diameter is larger than the nominal. 2" pipe is 2.375" OD, which matters when you're fitting caps, clamps or post sleeves.
Schedule sets the wall. Schedule 40 is the everyday choice for rails, posts and general fab. Schedule 80 is thicker for the same OD, used where pressure, wear or threading calls for more wall.
Across Texas, a lot of fence is built from used oilfield pipe: tubing and drill pipe pulled from service and sold for posts and corrals. Ranchers also use it for top rail, but no standard sets a top-rail size. It's strong, thick-walled and suited to ranch fence. It is used material, so expect surface wear and varying lengths, and don't expect it to carry mill certs. Used oilfield tubulars can also carry NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) scale. Texas requires NORM-contaminated equipment to be tagged (16 TAC §4.605) and exempts oil-production pipe at or below 50 µR/hr including background (25 TAC §289.259(d)(3)), so ask for the survey reading and any NORM tag on a used lot before you buy. The pipe for fence guide covers sizes, spacing and brace counts.
Grades
| Grade / spec | Why pick it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| A53 Grade B | General-purpose pipe for structural work, handrail, fence and low- to moderate-pressure lines. Welded (ERW) or seamless, black or galvanized. | Welding galvanized gives off zinc fumes. Grind the coating off the joint and ventilate. |
| A106 Grade B | Seamless pipe for high-temperature and pressure service. Common in oilfield and process work. | Often dual-certified with A53. If a code job requires A106, ask for the certs. |
| Used oilfield pipe | Heavy wall for its size, the go-to for Texas ranch fence, pens and corrals. | No traceable certs, mixed lengths and surface condition. Ask for the NORM survey reading or tag. Not for pressure or engineered structures. |
Common sizes
| NPS | Outside diameter | Sch 40 wall | Sch 80 wall |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2" | 0.840" | 0.109" | 0.147" |
| 1" | 1.315" | 0.133" | 0.179" |
| 1-1/2" | 1.900" | 0.145" | 0.200" |
| 2" | 2.375" | 0.154" | 0.218" |
| 3" | 3.500" | 0.216" | 0.300" |
| 4" | 4.500" | 0.237" | 0.337" |
| 6" | 6.625" | 0.280" | 0.432" |
| 8" | 8.625" | 0.322" | 0.500" |
| 12" | 12.750" | 0.406" | 0.688" |
New pipe commonly comes in 21' single random and 42' double random lengths. Used oilfield tubing, often 2-3/8" and 2-7/8" OD, runs roughly 30' joints. Sizes only. Metal prices move daily, so every order is quoted.
Cut-to-size options
Straight saw cuts to length handle most pipe orders, from fence post lengths to handrail sections. Fishmouth coping, where pipe meets pipe for rails, pens and frames, can be arranged on request. Torch or plasma cutting is an option on heavy-wall and used pipe where a square saw finish isn't needed. We arrange cuts through our supply network and list the method on the quote.
What to include in your quote request
- NPS and schedule, or OD and wall if you measured it
- New or used pipe, and black or galvanized
- Spec if it matters (A53, A106) and whether you need certs
- Cut lengths and quantities, or full lengths
- Threaded, plain end or beveled end
- What it's for: fence, handrail, pressure line, structure
- Delivery location, especially for rural ranch sites