My Weldless Build Using Strut

[sweetcell]

I think I did this wrong but oh well.

meh. i wouldn't worry about it too much - if it works, that's all that counts. using strut for our builds is over-kill, these things could hold 50x the weight that we put on them (when built right) so a non-standard build should still hold everything just fine.

but tell me - is the top level, uh, not level? picture makes it look like the right side is lower than the left...

 

[scubahoundnc]

meh. i wouldn't worry about it too much - if it works, that's all that counts. using strut for our builds is over-kill, these things could hold 50x the weight that we put on them (when built right) so a non-standard build should still hold everything just fine.

but tell me - is the top level, uh, not level? picture makes it look like the right side is lower than the left...

Lol I meant the post the pic. No it's just the picture angle. It is level. Saw the above picture had wheels on its end. Not sure how one person could safely put one of these rigs upright without a wench.

 

[bcrawfo2]

There seem to be two methods on how the verticals tie into the lower horizontals.
Any benefit one way or the other?
I like the one where the verticals go all the way to the floor. I don't plan on a center support, so it gives me a higher place to mount my pumps
View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1440982963.542520.jpgView attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1440982981.936987.jpg

 

[boganll]

There's tons of different fasteners for these rail systems so there's not much disadvantage to orientating them one way or another. It depends on what you want and whether the varying cost of different fasteners will influence your decision.

 

[itsthehops]

Yeah guys good stuff here!

I'm looking to begin the build process and want to go SS on the top.

Would this be what I am after? http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/Superstrut-A1400HS-10SS-14-Gauge-Slotted-Stainless/653444

In the description it says goldgalv as a finish, so will I need to worry about fumes from this when it is burnt?

Thanks in advance!

 

[b-boy]

Yeah guys good stuff here!

I'm looking to begin the build process and want to go SS on the top.

Would this be what I am after? http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/Superstrut-A1400HS-10SS-14-Gauge-Slotted-Stainless/653444

In the description it says goldgalv as a finish, so will I need to worry about fumes from this when it is burnt?

Thanks in advance!

I think that description is wrong. If it's truly SS, and it looks like it is, it won't be galvanized. The goldgalv is the stuff you can pickup at HD/Lowes.

My stand is SS on top. I think it's worth the extra $$$. The only parts that are really expensive are the SS corner brackets. I went with galvanized on that and just made sure flames don't touch them,

 

[kitemanks]

My stand is made of the galvanized stuff you can get at Lowe's or any other home improvement store. I have it in a 2 tier system electric, where I pump upstairs to a direct fire for boil. If you fire on this in the garage I wouldn't worry about fumes. If your venting for CO and CO2 from direct fire that should be enough.

 

[Rynolee]

Yeah guys good stuff here!

I'm looking to begin the build process and want to go SS on the top.

Would this be what I am after? http://www.cesco.com/b2c/product/Superstrut-A1400HS-10SS-14-Gauge-Slotted-Stainless/653444

In the description it says goldgalv as a finish, so will I need to worry about fumes from this when it is burnt?

Thanks in advance!

I would look at www.strutchannelfittings.com. I purchased from this site on my custom build that has stainless steel on top and was very satisfied with the service and quality of receiving exactly what I ordered. Plus they were able to cut down pieces to the exact measurements I shared with them, which saved me time!

After speaking with the owner, they updated their brewstand configurations to provide the SS option and a kit, which may help if the measurements work for your build: http://www.strutchannelfittings.com...-AND-FITTINGS-BLACK-POWDER-COATED_p_1187.html

 

[kirbcheck]

I would look at www.strutchannelfittings.com. I purchased from this site on my custom build that has stainless steel on top and was very satisfied with the service and quality of receiving exactly what I ordered. Plus they were able to cut down pieces to the exact measurements I shared with them, which saved me time!

After speaking with the owner, they updated their brewstand configurations to provide the SS option and a kit, which may help if the measurements work for your build: http://www.strutchannelfittings.com...-AND-FITTINGS-BLACK-POWDER-COATED_p_1187.html

I ordered all my fittings from this site, they were great to work with. The actual strut I bought locally from an electrical supplier. When they heard what I was doing they gave me contractor pricing which saved me quite a bit.

 

[jeeppilot]

Has anyone looked into ceramic coating their strut? I talked to a guy who will sand or soda blast the strut, so I don't have to cook or acid bath the galvanization off, then spray and bake a 1500 degree ceramic coating for $3/ft. My table is going to have 55" long pieces 12" width pieces. So about 13' for my setup to do the top = $40. I was lucky and my strut was free but even at average $15/ 10' stick, that still less half the cost of SS strut. Has anyone done this? Any potential issues?

 

[sweetcell]

i would be concerned about the ceramic coating's ability to withstand the pressure of the nuts being tightened against it. would it crack?

 

[jeeppilot]

i would be concerned about the ceramic coating's ability to withstand the pressure of the nuts being tightened against it. would it crack?

I'm going to do it and I'll update the thread afterwards. I figure for the price, if it doesn't work, I'm only out a good learning experience. [emoji106]

 

[aangel]

Jeepilot: your results will depend on the sandblasting actually removing all or at least most the galvanic coating.

One question for the general thoughts: I was quoted $30/piece (10' stick) for standard 1 5/8 strut made of aluminum. Do you all think this is worth it? I paid $15/10' for 4 other sticks. Wondering if just buying aluminum strut for my stand's top layer is worth the price, or if I should just buy the muriatic acid and rustoleum.

 

[sweetcell]

Has anyone looked into ceramic coating their strut? I talked to a guy who will sand or soda blast the strut, so I don't have to cook or acid bath the galvanization off, then spray and bake a 1500 degree ceramic coating for $3/ft. My table is going to have 55" long pieces 12" width pieces. So about 13' for my setup to do the top = $40. I was lucky and my strut was free but even at average $15/ 10' stick, that still less half the cost of SS strut. Has anyone done this? Any potential issues?

forgot to ask: where did you find someone willing/able to do this? is ceramic coating a common thing?

 

[aangel]

Ceramic coating apparently IS a common thing. I just googled "sand blast metal" put it into maps and found companies that do sand / soda blasting and various coatings.

 

[jeeppilot]

I'm in Memphis and I found a company that does powder coating and "specialized coating". I called and spoke with the owner who informed me of this option. He mentioned the soda blasting too which I had never heard of, but apparently is too gentle to remove the galvanization.

aangel, I'd be concerned about aluminum's ability to remain rigid enough under the intense heat to hold the weight. As for the price, I am fortunate and have a neighbor who works for a company that has lots of "drops", or pieces that are cut and the remaining lengths are too small for their use. Basically, I got all my stock free.

I'm dropping off the stock on Monday and it will take a couple weeks to get it back and assemble it before I test run it. Update still to come!

 

[aangel]

Further updates:

Holy hell is sandblasting expensive. Like "10x higher cost than the strut" expensive.
Also: reach out to metals and electrical distributors online. I was able to get one to quote me stainless strut at $9/10'!

Now I'm wondering what the hell to do with the 40 feet of galvanized strut I have.

 

[Reaver]

Now I'm wondering what the hell to do with the 40 feet of galvanized strut I have.

Return it to Lowes's or HD

 

[jeeppilot]

Further updates:

Holy hell is sandblasting expensive. Like "10x higher cost than the strut" expensive.
Also: reach out to metals and electrical distributors online. I was able to get one to quote me stainless strut at $9/10'!

Now I'm wondering what the hell to do with the 40 feet of galvanized strut I have.

I was quoted $3/ft to sandblast AND ceramic coat. I'm only doing the top half which is about 15' so $45 bucks to prep and paint. That seems very reasonable. Now, if I could get stainless for $9/ft, I'd be all over it. Who gave you that quote?

 

[BlueHemlock]

Now, if I could get stainless for $9/ft, I'd be all over it. Who gave you that quote?

Agreed, where is that?

 

[sweetcell]

in canada, by the looks of it...

 

[aangel]

Fun update, I was misquoted...by a factor of 10. It was $9 per foot, not per 10 foot section.

 

[Yellowirenut]

I am looking to shorten mine. How close do you think i can get my cooler to the burners??

 

[sweetcell]

I am looking to shorten mine. How close do you think i can get my cooler to the burners??

why not build some sort of a "heat skirt" to put under the cooler, to deflect direct heat away and around the cooler?

 

[BreezyBrew]

why not build some sort of a "heat skirt" to put under the cooler, to deflect direct heat away and around the cooler?

Yeah doesn't Bobby sell something like that would be useful?

 

[kirbcheck]

why not build some sort of a "heat skirt" to put under the cooler, to deflect direct heat away and around the cooler?

I talked to a furnace repairman, he let me salvage anything I could get my hands on. I got tons for this build. Including metal flashing I use for a heat shield for my pump.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

Ok. This thread is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to long for my ADD. LOL!

I'm going to build one of these finally, and toss (probably burn) my Sanford & Son wooden rig. What's the most popular (good quality) strut to buy that's easy to find? Also, stainless is out of the budget.

Any tips?

 

[Yellowirenut]

I got all the bits and pieces from http://www.strutchannelfittings.com/
The actual strut I got from a plumbing supply house. I don't recall how much a stick cost but it only came in 21' lengths.
Menards actually has a good selection also.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

I got all the bits and pieces from http://www.strutchannelfittings.com/
The actual strut I got from a plumbing supply house. I don't recall how much a stick cost but it only came in 21' lengths.
Menards actually has a good selection also.

Thank you.

I'm sure this thread has evolved since page 25, so what is the recommended strut to use? I'm not too sure galvanized is a good idea to burn...


Sorry if I'm being a burden, but there's so much damn info in this thread and i'm sure it keeps changing.

 

[Yellowirenut]

If I remember right I got the Pre-galvanized stiff. A few pieces are the green pained ones I found hiding in the corners at work. I am not concerned about the steel being weathered because it will only be outside wile I am brewing.