Question for the welders

[bluedog225]

I’m in the process of getting a 20’ conex. And I have 40 galvanized h-beams at 12’ long.

I’m going to place the box [edit-long side facing south] and have some of the beams welded to hinges along one side. Something like this.




The h-beams will have 3”x3” angle iron on the ends. Not great rigidity but ok if anchored at each beam. The whole deal will be adjustable for summer/winter.

What type of hinges would you recommend? The biggest greaseable bullet hinges I can find set opposite each other (alternated left and right)?

And what’s the best welding type for this application? I’d like to have a little idea what I’m talking about before I go looking for a welder. Welder quality varies in these parts.

Many thanks

 

[Walkers]

The best hinge for something like that would be a simple piece of 1/2 pipe welded to the 2 1/2” square tube at the top of the box, then just weld a plate with a hole in it to the beam on each side, then through pin it with a piece of 1/2” round bar. Cheap, easy, stout.
For welding it will most likely be flux core wire welded. Try to flap wheel off as much paint in the weld are as possible. I just did a bunch of containers and used Lincoln 71M which is flux cored wire that uses CO2 shielding gas. It welded pretty decent, but more of a pain in the ***.

 

[RaisedByWolves]

You're going to love welding galvanized steel...... I can literally taste it just thinking about it.

Drink milk when you feel like you have suddenly come down with the flu an hour or so later.

 

[readhead]

Watch Ambition Strikes on YouTube. They did exactly what you are planning.

 

[tarmy]

Welding galv is no joke on vapors…be careful.

 

[BobG23]

Was just going to say this!

Watch Ambition Strikes on YouTube. They did exactly what you are planning.

 

[Jlarson]

Def wear your breathing gear, that's a great combo, hot dip and whatever they use to paint the sea cans, yuck.

I'd go with flux core too, we've done a lot of sea can mods with 211 or 212 flux. If you want to buy hinges check out local steel yards that do a lot of fence stuff.

 

[jwilson645]

Get a decent respirator that will help filter that junk out. DO NOT WELD galvanized without PPE.

Side Effects of Welding Galvanized Steel

Galvanized Steel The process of welding galvanized steel is commonly found in the metal fabricating industry. Many welders usually weld galvanized steel at some point in their career; and in doing so they may experience galvanize poisoning or metal fume fever. Galvanize poisoning is a...

bakersgas.com

Can You Weld Galvanized Steel?

You can weld galvanized steel. However, a 1-4 inches radius of galvanized coating must be removed around the welding site, leaving zinc-free steel to weld.

galvanizeit.org

 

[Zeke]

I assume the 3 x 3 angle is hot rolled mild steel. you will have to deal with mill scale. While dressing that up for the welds, do the ends on the galvie. Wear a mask, but at least you won't be breathing smoke.

You don't mention the thickness, but if 1/4" or more, you'll need a good 120v MIG using flux core, or a 240v unit that you can use with or w/o the gas. If you practice a little, you can pick up a cheap stick welder and get some 7024 rod and just drag it. it's designed for that. Easy as drawing a line with a fat marker.

 

[bluedog225]

Good info all. Ambition Strikes was the original inspiration. Though I haven’t yet found the episode where they give detail on the hinge mechanism. Some pics make it look like a 2” pipe through the beams.

I appreciate all the tips on protective gear. I was thinking to hire this done. Given its structural and I’ve not yet learned to weld.

 

[strutaeng]

Stick welder with some 50' leads and some 6010/6011 electrodes would be my top choice.

Flux core would be my second option.

 

[MegaVan]

I weld. AWS certified. Etc.

I would hire this out. Should be cheap even at $100 an hour.

Cheaper than buying a welder. Cheaper than messing it up.

And I mean that I’m not even sure I would feel like setting up to weld it

 

[Jacko264]

Nuts and bolts is you friend
iv had galvanised poison with welding and it’s not nice

 

[Drill Sergeant Arc]

I’m in the process of getting a 20’ conex. And I have 40 galvanized h-beams at 12’ long.

I’m going to place the box [edit-long side facing south] and have some of the beams welded to hinges along one side. Something like this.



What type of hinges would you recommend? The biggest greaseable bullet hinges I can find set opposite each other (alternated left and right)?

And what’s the best welding type for this application?

I’m in the process of getting a 20’ conex. And I have 40 galvanized h-beams at 12’ long.

I’m going to place the box [edit-long side facing south] and have some of the beams welded to hinges along one side. Something like this.




The h-beams will have 3”x3” angle iron on the ends. Not great rigidity but ok if anchored at each beam. The whole deal will be adjustable for summer/winter.

What type of hinges would you recommend? The biggest greaseable bullet hinges I can find set opposite each other (alternated left and right)?

And what’s the best welding type for this application? I’d like to have a little idea what I’m talking about before I go looking for a welder. Welder quality varies in these parts.

Many thanks

I made these last summer for the shop driveway.
Just the material I had on hand. Wire feed with shield gas. I do need a new prescription though, not as pretty as they would have been in my younger days . . .

3/4” pin, 1/2” plate. Overkill for the gate span I have.

 

[bluedog225]

I could U bolt to the h-beams easy. Or regular hinges. The idea of putting holes in that top beam in the conex bothers me some.

 

[nadogail]

I would spend some time at your local supplier ti the community of those that do Ornamental Iron Work, your local Welding Supply shore should be able to get you connected.

 

[bluedog225]

Agreed.

Something like this on the top cast corner would allow me to attach a 20’ stick of square tubing or maybe angle. And I could bolt hinges without penetrating the conex.

I’m in houston at the moment. Ought to be able to find without too much trouble.