I need to make a stock rack and was thinking of using T-section as the vertical supports. Say 2 x 2 x 1/4 or maybe slightly bigger in 1/4.
I have a 14" dry cut saw and was wondering if there are any slick tricks like capturing angle stock with a short piece of stout, square tube ?
I'll probably try that 1st but I'd love to know if anyone has comments on cutting this stuff safely and accurately before I order a bunch of steel.
Cheers,
Jeff Dantzler
Why not just use square tube? I have built many stock racks with simple 2" x 2" x 1/8" tube for verticals and 1" x 2" x 0.062" tube for the stock supports. They can hold an immense amount of weight.
Yeah, that sounds pretty reasonable. I wanted to design it so that I could have 2 freestanding units back-to-back (under a tarp) for a while. Eventually I would break them apart to install against a wall. T-section would do that neatly, but square is probably nicer in the long run.
A band saw is probably the better tool for cutting T.
Cheers,
Jeff Dantzler
T section looks nice, but it can twist under load. I have built a few things out of it, and I would not choose it for something that will carry a heavy load.
It has a habit of buckling.
What it is mainly used for is guide tracks for theatre rigging systems. Hence why I have a bunch of the stuff.
Tube is the best shape to resist twisting loads.
--What he said; I've made racks from square tube; no prob. Easy to weld and no tight corners as you would get from T sections butting together causing weird intersections. --For cutting securely a hunk or two of hardwood to lock the piece in the vise is probably sufficient.
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