Need to make a Steel storage rack... any suggestions?

Wanting something basically like in this link...
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=steel...r:13,s:0,i:118

I need something to hold square and round tubing, flat stock, different Aluminum stock and then my bigger cut-offs.
I really don't know what to make it out of, how thick of material to make it out of and how much weight will each arm support.

I DO know that if I use two risers, there will be about 8' between them (I will probably use three, to hold shorter cutoffs)
Also the arms will come out from the wall about 12"-14" max.

A lot of folks make racks like that out of old-fashioned galvanized iron water pipe. Fittings area easy to find, pipe is relatively cheap and strong. But then, you can weld, so maybe 1.5" square steel tubing. 11 gauge (1/8" wall) would be plenty strong. Weld triangular steel gussets at the intersection of the arms and the vertical and it'll be plenty strong for what your needs. Lag screw the verticals to studs in the wall if you don't want it to be free standing.

To support the cutoffs and flat stock you can bridge between the arms with thin plywood as necessary.

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Originally Posted by Slartybartfa

A lot of folks make racks like that out of old-fashioned galvanized iron water pipe. Fittings area easy to find, pipe is relatively cheap and strong. But then, you can weld, so maybe 1.5" square steel tubing. 11 gauge (1/8" wall) would be plenty strong. Weld triangular steel gussets at the intersection of the arms and the vertical and it'll be plenty strong for what your needs. Lag screw the verticals to studs in the wall if you don't want it to be free standing.

To support the cutoffs and flat stock you can bridge between the arms with thin plywood as necessary.

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I will put some "feet" at the bottom but I planned on lag screws to keep it in place.
The 11 gauge I would not have thought would be strong enough, of course I don't plan on loading it down. Just a few pieces of this n that.
As far as the gussets, can I get by with one on one side or do I need two gussets per arm? Is there a formula for size of gusset compared to length of arm?
Maybe I'll just cut some square stock, both ends 45* and weld in?!?

I've got several sticks of 2" square, 11ga. so I will probably go with that just to use it.

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by CGCINC

Maybe I'll just cut some square stock, both ends 45* and weld in?!?
Thanks!

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That'll work... about half way out the arm.

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Originally Posted by CGCINC

Wanting something basically like in this link...
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=steel...r:13,s:0,i:118
I need something to hold square and round tubing, flat stock, different Aluminum stock and then my bigger cut-offs.
I really don't know what to make it out of, how thick of material to make it out of and how much weight will each arm support.

I DO know that if I use two risers, there will be about 8' between them (I will probably use three, to hold shorter cutoffs)
Also the arms will come out from the wall about 12"-14" max.

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I would use "I" beam. Very sturdy, and lots of surface area to weld it on. How thick and how big is the heaviest pipe you will put on it?

if only 12 to 14 out of wall just use pipe or cheap angel iron , most stuff will be 20 footer so will need 4 supports to hold long 20 footers

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Originally Posted by Rodsmachineshop

if only 12 to 14 out of wall just use pipe or cheap angel iron , most stuff will be 20 footer so will need 4 supports to hold long 20 footers

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Actually looks like I can do 20" total from the wall so it will be an 18" arm. I also have my stock cut in half at the steel yard, one cut for free, so it's 10'-12' sections. I plan on 3 uprights.

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I would use "I" beam. Very sturdy, and lots of surface area to weld it on. How thick and how big is the heaviest pipe you will put on it?

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I thought about I beam but I think that's overkill for me.
I will have maybe:
4pcs. of 2" square @ 10' 11ga.
a couple 2.5" square maybe 11ga.
few pcs. of 1.5" square 11ga.
some flat stock, angle...etc.
then some Aluminum but not much

For 12-14" arms, anything will work. Don't overthink it. Use what's available and affordable. Even old bed frame rails would work for what you propose.

It's important that whatever you end up doing, you paint the racks to match your favorite welder.

Rustoleum Engine Enamel in "Grabber Green" is same as Everlast's green. Don't mix and match colors. Makes a job look amateurish. :P

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Originally Posted by Slartybartfa

It's important that whatever you end up doing, you paint the racks to match your welder.

Rustoleum Engine Enamel in "Grabber Green" is same as Everlast's green. Don't mix and match colors. Makes a job look amateurish. :P

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Good info to know!! I actually just might do that!!
I get my plasma today and I'm having a friend custom paint the case with a bunch of "Tech" stuff and gears or whatever.... Told him he has creative freedom.

Been looking at the new Everlast green Camaro!!

paint it purple lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CGCINC

Actually looks like I can do 20" total from the wall so it will be an 18" arm. I also have my stock cut in half at the steel yard, one cut for free, so it's 10'-12' sections. I plan on 3 uprights.



I thought about I beam but I think that's overkill for me.
I will have maybe:
4pcs. of 2" square @ 10' 11ga.
a couple 2.5" square maybe 11ga.
few pcs. of 1.5" square 11ga.
some flat stock, angle...etc.
then some Aluminum but not much

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Okay. I didn't know how thick you might put on there...

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Originally Posted by MigPlazArc

Okay. I didn't know how thick you might put on there...

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I'm sure there will be more on there in time but not too much. I buy as needed

This is an old thread, but if anyone is looking to make something, this is one I made a while back. It worked pretty well.

Attachment 10504

Later on, when I wasn't wheeling the steel around anymore, I cut the arms off the back of this lumber storage stand I made, ran 1/2" flat from the top to the back end of the feet for triangulation, and shuffled the steel onto it.

Attachment 10505