Reinforcing a rack for truck tires. SMAW on thin C channel

[EchoSixMike]

Not a particularly interesting project, but it needed to be done and the materials were limited. I used what was on hand (ie no cost) which made things harder than it should have been, but it got done and does what it's supposed to do.

OK, so I started with this shelving section, which is made of 16ga C-channel and is supposed to be reinforced with cross stringers and decking and is fairly medium duty regardless. It's going to hold truck tires, which are not light. That little 19.5 would bow this thing noticably when in the center of the span.


Anyhow the material I had on hand was 2"x2" box tubing, 3/16" wall, ie thick and heavy. I had to cut it with a torch, which meant fitment was "meh", and that was on the sections I cut, someone else "helped" and that definately fits into the "good intentions pave the way to Hell" category. I had only 115v(otherwise would have MIG'd for choice), so I used the 160STH, which has proven to be a handy little unit. I used 1/8" 6013 on DCEN at about 70amps, trying not to blow out the C channel. Wrapped with chopped up jumper cable for a ground.



Bad fitup didn't make it any easier. I tried to favor the square tube as much as possible. Certainly not my best work, but it does the job.



On the flat, it welded much nicer, unsurprising there. Yes, I welded right through the paint and other crap, time had priority.



And finally when it was completed.



Total time invested, a little over two hours, mostly gathering tools and materials and cutting the square tube. I used a 1" ratchet strap to pull the gap closed on the C channel to try to correct poor fitup, it works, although obviously you need to watch your heat and sharp edges. S/F.....Ken M