Steel Box Section Workshop

[Onoff]

A while back my mate gave me a load of 25mm box section. I think it's powder coated. This was old server racking.

 

 

He's been on for ages about building a new workshop and has a mad idea for my lad to print him 120 - 140 PETG connectors. Then to clad the resultant frame in 18mm ply with self drill screws. It comes from him seeing the veg patch frame I've built from the box section using similar connectors. 

 

 

Seems a crap idea to me for a number of reasons. For one I feel MIG welding it would be better if at all. 

 

I can't see how he'd insulate it easily either.

 

Gut feel is such thin walls would be "wobbly" to say the least. 

 

These are his sketches:

 

 

 

Any thoughts? @Gus Potter?

[Gus Potter]

@Onoff Like the veg patch.

 

Would advise your mate to give the "shed" idea a rethink using these sections. Also could be false economy.

[Onoff]

16 minutes ago, Gus Potter said:

@Onoff Like the veg patch.

 

Would advise your mate to give the "shed" idea a rethink using these sections. Also could be false economy.

 

Thanks. It'll probably get some small sheet gussets pop rivetted at the junctions. 

 

Yeah, daft for many reasons. I still reckon pallets. I've done it and it works. 

 

Plus I'll have to give the box section back! 😂

[joe90]

Welding with gussets would be much stronger I guess 🤔Yes pallets are a good idea (and you keep the steel 😎

Edited June 7, 2022 by joe90

[Onoff]

Just now, joe90 said:

Welding with gussets would be much stronger I guess 🤔

 

No I meant for my veg frame I'll pop a few gussets on at the corners. Doesn't need much. Tbh reckon it'll rot from the inside out down here.

 

Did think about spraying inside the box sections with veg oil...

 

?

[Jenki]

2 hours ago, Onoff said:

 

Did think about spraying inside the box sections with veg oil...

 

?

I'd recommend AC50, not as cheap as veg oil. But amazing stuff.

 

[Onoff]

I figured ladder beams / lattice trusses were potentailly the way to go. I've always fancied anyway making up a jig, just dropping cut parts in a welding them together.

 

This site apparently has a good range of calculators. Can't find though what relates to calcuating box section trusses:

 

https://jonochshorn.com/scholarship/calculators-st/index.html

[Onoff]

8 hours ago, Jenki said:

I'd recommend AC50, not as cheap as veg oil. But amazing stuff.

 

 

Couldn't agree more. I use it on the car, inside sills etc but can't help thinking it's not too environmentally friendly in this application i.e above plants we're going to eat.