This is a continuation of my effort to make a suitable spreader beam for lifting engines and pallets.
I visited a steel yard in Chicago this morning and picked up some scrap. (I am NOT proud of what I paid for other stuff besides scrap).
Anyway, for $20, I picked the following:
1) One 4"x3.5'x3/16" steel plate 2) Two 1.25"x1.25"x3 ft square tubing pieces 3/16" wall (heavy wall)My plan is to weld them longitudinally, so that, when seen from the side, they will look like this:
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that is, the square tubing pieces will be welded to both sides of the plate forming "ribs".
That would make a 3" or so structure that, I hope, will be rigid enough not to buckle under loads of up to 1,000-1,500 lbs. I would drill holes in steel plate for hooks and such.
Most of the weight will be carried by the 3/16" plate, with the ribs serving mostly to prevent buckling.
As for welding, I will just use 6013 stick electrodes. Will paint it with some "farm equipment green" oil paint.
i