Brutus tubing question

[sgraham602]

I am getting quotes from welders to build a system like what I saw in a thread in here https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/welding-101-fun-brutus-build-164749/index2.html

One welder quoted me $750....which seemed high. For that much I would play with the idea of buying a welder and learning to weld.

Another welder said he could do it for 450 which seems reasonable to me. He did say he thought that 1 1/4 tubing would be sufficient. Guys....does that sound right? Originally I was thinking 1 1/2 inch steel tubing was the way to go. Any thoughts? Thanks!!

 

[Brewdude78]

I built one three years and I used 2 inch, but I think 1 1/4 would plenty strong enough. Mine is a beast.

 

[sgraham602]

i'm wondering if its worth me adding any addition areas of support. although i guess if it sags i can take it back in for some patch work....I am trying to keep it as simple as possible

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

1-1/2" x .065 is what you want.
does $450 include the steel?

 

[sgraham602]

450 all said and done.

 

[Snake10]

2x2x1/8 mild steel was 1.50 a foot. I used 4 - 10 foot sticks. They cut it for 25 cents a cut, using my cutlist. My buddy welded it in 3.5 hours. I paid him 100 bucks. Had it powder coated for 100. Bought 12 feet of stainless 1.5 angle for inserts. 150, friend welded it. For 450 I would hope he grinds the welds flush for you. So, for a basic stand: 40 feet of tubing, 3.5 hours to weld the stand, 1-2 hours of grinding. Just my 2 cents.
Snake10

 

[kklowell]

I am getting quotes from welders to build a system like what I saw in a thread in here https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/welding-101-fun-brutus-build-164749/index2.html

One welder quoted me $750....which seemed high. For that much I would play with the idea of buying a welder and learning to weld.

Another welder said he could do it for 450 which seems reasonable to me. He did say he thought that 1 1/4 tubing would be sufficient. Guys....does that sound right? Originally I was thinking 1 1/2 inch steel tubing was the way to go. Any thoughts? Thanks!!

I'd spend the $450 on steel, a welder and a chop saw. That way I'd learn another new skill and have some nifty new tools. But, that's just me.
I built my stand last year for something like $70. I used the tools at work to make and weld it though.

 

[sgraham602]

I'd spend the $450 on steel, a welder and a chop saw. That way I'd learn another new skill and have some nifty new tools. But, that's just me.
I built my stand last year for something like $70. I used the tools at work to make and weld it though.

I would agree, but (i hate to admit) I'm not a huge DIYer. I'd hate to spend a ton of money on tools and materials only to end with something half-a$$ed that would need to be replaced later.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

I'd spend the $450 on steel, a welder and a chop saw. That way I'd learn another new skill and have some nifty new tools. But, that's just me.
I built my stand last year for something like $70. I used the tools at work to make and weld it though.

good luck find it all for $450....
don't forget the right angle grinder, the consumables....
they aint as cheap as it seems

 

[Rad-Rabbit]

good luck find it all for $450....
don't forget the right angle grinder, the consumables....
they aint as cheap as it seems

I agree with the above statement. My Cheapo MIG Welder and cart from harbor freight, used #20 tank of shielding gas and stainless wire cost about $450 alone.

 

[Snake10]

If your not a huge DIY'er. I guess you get what you get. If you have money to throw away go for it. Half the fun for most is the excitement of creating a unique stand too brag about. Not to mention being able to give someone your personal brew from the machine you made. Welding isn't rocket science. 30 minutes with a mig and your rock'in. A 4.5 in angle grinder and your welds will blend into the frame like no ones business. Get on craigs and buy a small mig welder (lincoln 180hd, 375 bucks), go to harbor freight and get a 4.5 inch angle grinder (20 bucks). Then go to your local metal supplier and get 40 feet or so of metal tubing and have them cut it. You can do this. The best thing is there are tons of people here that can help you. If you don't like your craigslist buy, then you can sell it.
Snake10

 

[Wrecked]

If your not a huge DIY'er. I guess you get what you get. If you have money to throw away go for it. Half the fun for most is the excitement of creating a unique stand too brag about. Not to mention being able to give someone your personal brew from the machine you made. Welding isn't rocket science. 30 minutes with a mig and your rock'in. A 4.5 in angle grinder and your welds will blend into the frame like no ones business. Get on craigs and buy a small mig welder (lincoln 180hd, 375 bucks), go to harbor freight and get a 4.5 inch angle grinder (20 bucks). Then go to your local metal supplier and get 40 feet or so of metal tubing and have them cut it. You can do this. The best thing is there are tons of people here that can help you. If you don't like your craigslist buy, then you can sell it.
Snake10

Hmmmm, this exactly what I did and I ended up with a stand I didn't trust and a pile of tools I'll never use again.

In the end I still ended up having a stand professionally built for $550.

Not everyone can be a DIYer. Just my .02 cents.

Sent from my iPhone using HB Talk

 

[sgraham602]

If your not a huge DIY'er. I guess you get what you get. If you have money to throw away go for it.
Snake10

I think we're getting away from my original question....which had to do with tubing size. Plus, I'm not sure if I would consider paying a pro to weld a stand "throwing away money". From my point of view..and my skill set...paying $300 bucks for a welder that I will use just for one project is throwing away money. It seems like a simple job to do myself, but I've gotten myself into projects before that seemed like they would be simple.

At any rate, am I safe to use 1.25" tubing over 2"? I'm no engineer, but if it is a thick enough gauge I would think it would be ok. I saw that synergy uses 1" on their stands.

 

[Ryan_PA]

You would be good with 1" tubing, 1.25" is plenty fine.

I agree, you would not be throwing money away by using a professional if you have no desire or confidence to weld it yourself. $450 is a great price and assuming this guy has moderate skills, you should be all set.

 

[Snake10]

Sorry to going off topic. I agree with what Ryan PA said above. I would just add that If you can go bigger on the tubing for 450 do it. Adding casters would be easier Also.
Snake10

 

[sgraham602]

good looks! i have some extra casters in my garage. I'll have those put on there too! :rockin:

 

[Snake10]

Rock on 602! sounds like you are on your way out he door to get yourself a stand. Have fun.
snake10

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

I think we're getting away from my original question....which had to do with tubing size. Plus, I'm not sure if I would consider paying a pro to weld a stand "throwing away money". From my point of view..and my skill set...paying $300 bucks for a welder that I will use just for one project is throwing away money. It seems like a simple job to do myself, but I've gotten myself into projects before that seemed like they would be simple.

At any rate, am I safe to use 1.25" tubing over 2"? I'm no engineer, but if it is a thick enough gauge I would think it would be ok. I saw that synergy uses 1" on their stands.

1.25 is overkill
.065 1.5 tubing is plenty. 1" - 1.25 will actually flex more. Remember, to take the sidewall height into consideration. The greater the height, the less deflection.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

Snake's system is very well built. So well built that he could park a semi on top of it. The center vertical support really doesn't add much, you're just passing deflection from the top tube to the lower tube.
Having a built a 'few' of these... I'm pretty sure of what I speak.

 

[Snake10]

One hoppy,
Nice rigs your putting out. You selling those?

On another note, I like the 11 gauge thickness. It allows you to drill and tap holes where ever you like. The thickness gives you some threads to work with.
Snake10

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

One hoppy,
Nice rigs your putting out. You selling those?

On another note, I like the 11 gauge thickness. It allows you to drill and tap holes where ever you like. The thickness gives you some threads to work with.
Snake10

Yup 11 gauge works great for tapping and drilling...
Thank you! and yes, BrewSteel.Com
I can't afford to be a vendor on this site yet, so I can't directly advertise. Gotta respect the rules.

 

[billtzk]

I used 2x2 inch square 1/8 inch thick mild steel. I bought 4 ten foot (I think) lengths. I bought a Hobart 187 MIG welder and a chop saw, cut the steel myself, and welded it. It was my first time welding, and I did OK. My welds are not the prettiest I've ever seen. The thing is big and heavy and solid, and I have no fear whatsoever of it coming apart on me.

Of course, I could have paid a welder to make it for me for a hell of a lot less money than I spent on all that welding gear, but I had a blast, and the welder comes in handy sometimes.

If I could do it all again, I'd buy a top quality chop saw or, even better, have the steel pieces precision cut by the metal shop. The cut quality of the Harbor Freight chop saw is poor, to say the least.

 

[sgraham602]

1.25 is overkill
.065 1.5 tubing is plenty. 1" - 1.25 will actually flex more. Remember, to take the sidewall height into consideration. The greater the height, the less deflection.

Do you mean 2" is overkill?

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

No, I mean a wall thickness of .125 (1/8") is over kill. Building stainless steel stands it's common to see 2" tube because of its availability. Smaller sizes can actually cost more. AKA supply and demand

 

[sgraham602]

the steel that the shop has is 1 1/4" with a wall thickness of 1/8" . I'm hoping that will be strudy enough. I only do 5 gallon batches with an 11 gal pot and 2 keggles. I guess I could order in some 2" tubing if i have to.

 

[Bobby_M]

Yes, that's plenty strong enough. You could fill each of those vessels with molten steel and it would still be strong enough. You could use two sticks across a 60" span with no additional mid-span vertical supports and you'd still be OK (probably a 1/4" of deflection max). With a pair of vertical legs at the 30" point and it's safely overbuilt.

 

[billtzk]

That would be around 2800 pounds if your vessels were 15.5 gallon keggles filled to the brim with molten steel. That's assuming that molten steel is 0.26 pounds per cubic inch. I googled that, so not sure if it's right.

I'm sure someone could figure out how much deflection you'd get at the midpoint of a 60 inch long brewstand made from 1.25 inch by .125 wall steel with that much weight spread out in three keggles across it's length. But not me.

Fortunately, water weighs only 0.036127 pounds per cubic inch, so it's academic. We're talking less than 400 lb max plus the weight of the keggles.

 

[Bobby_M]

I'm glad you at least Google some stuff as I was just pulling out of my ass. Truth is, even if you did fill all the vessels to the brim, it would be fine but you never will anyway.

 

[OneHoppyGuy]

I'm glad you at least Google some stuff as I was just pulling out of my ass.

I might make this my new tag line...
Time for a brew...

 

[billtzk]

I'm glad you at least Google some stuff as I was just pulling out of my ass.

Well crap (so to speak). I was wondering where you got that.