Welding Tips and Tricks

Is there somewhere I can get a chart that shows the weight limits for rectangular steel tube on the flat side? I need to make a cart for a vertical mill that weighs about 2000 pounds. The mills footprint is roughly 2'-6" wide x 3'-6" deep. I want to use inch and a half by four rectangle tube with a 1/4" wall for the flooring and sides. The flooring would be spaced on 6" centers leaving an inch gap between. The flooring pieces would fit between the side rails on the 2"-6" side and be welded to them. The whole cart will sit on 4 four inch double bearing steel wheel casters.

Is that enough beef for this mill? I would tend to think it's enough, maybe a little too much, but I'd like to hear other opinions on it.
Also, how much bigger should the cart be than the mill. I don't want it to tip over!

Thanks!!

Steve

Try out this web site. Hope it helps.

http://www.steeltubeinstitute.org/pdf/b ... le_bro.pdf

It sounds to me like your design is more than strong enough.

If you make sure your wheels, in any position, are outside the original footprint of the mill, you should have enough stability.

Steve

Hi,

It sounds like you plan to make a flat-frame out of the tubes. You may have a good reason for wanting to make it that way, but an edge-frame design would be far stiffer and stronger.

Jim ....that's a great reference, thanks. I might have to buy a few ink cartridges and copy it.

Otto... using the wheels as outriggers is a good idea. I'll probably gusset the caster plate to the frame for more strength.

finewoods... the floor will be on the flat side, but the side walls will be upright. I'd normally do the floor upright with the rectangle tube, but that would take up too much height for the mill table this time.


Steve

DELRAYDELLA,

CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE . YOU HAVE TO OPEN IT USING FIREFOX OR GOOGLE CHROME. THIS IS ONE SLICK PROGRAM.

http://webstructural.com/how-to/steel-beam/

jpence,

Very cool website!! THANKS!!

Thank you jpence38. I have visited the link which you have provided. I think this is very helpful.