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Post subject:Replacing metal folding legss on portable stage sections
 Posted: Apr 10, 2008 - 08:03 AM #7493
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Joined: Apr 10, 2008
Posts: 3
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| I need some advise from people that know metal. I have a group of old portable staging (Mitchell) that have aging folding legs on them. The top sections are in good shape but the legs are sad. I want to remove them, weld some metal strips, about 2.5 inches wide. Attach a 2" deep receiving cup to mount removeable legs of varing sizes for flexability. My question is, since the stage framing is steel, do I need to stay with steel plate to weld to the under frame to support the new legs? If so, how thick should the steel be and how can I cut 21" strips. If I can use aluminum its no problem cutting but steel is another story. I dont have a plasma cutter nor do I relish using one let alone having to purchase one. What about 'dry weld' like JD Weld. Would that stuff work on attaching plates to metal frame work to hold a leg? There would be little or no horizontal stress on the stage when in use. Several of these 4x8 sections are clamped together to make a stage. The usual height is between 12 - 36 inches. I live in the aircraft industry capital and have access to all manner of scrap steel and aluminum in every form and shape. I have the basic cutting tools in the form of a 12' chop saw, table saw, circle saw, 6" dewalt hand grinder, and rigid heavy duty variable speed jig saw. Appreciate any assistance you can provide. |
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Post subject:RE: Replacing metal folding legss on portable stage sections
Posted: Apr 10, 2008 - 02:34 PM #7494
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Joined: Apr 01, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Humboldt County
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Your chop saw will work to cut metal strips with the correct cutting disk, although you may have to also purchase an arbor bushing. (Most chop saws are 5/8" on the arbor and the hole in the cutting disk is 7/8")
The hand grinder will work good as well with a cutting disk.
The cutting disks will generate a large shower of sparks, so take care as far as fire safety goes.
If sparks aren't your bag, you can buy metal cutting blades for your jig saw...
You'd need an engineer to provide sound advice for design, materials and fabrication, given the work load requirements of the stage. Myself... I'd just overbuild the darned thing. |
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Dean in Eureka, CA
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Post subject:RE: Replacing metal folding legss on portable stage sections
Posted: Apr 10, 2008 - 02:55 PM #7495
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Joined: Apr 01, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Humboldt County
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| Correction... 1" hole on the cutting disk for a chop saw. |
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Dean in Eureka, CA
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Post subject:RE: Replacing metal folding legss on portable stage sections
Posted: Apr 10, 2008 - 04:47 PM #7496
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Joined: Apr 10, 2008
Posts: 3
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| Thank you Dean for your response. The disk I need, what is it called and is it available at home hardware stores like Lowes or Home Depot, Sears or do I need to special order it? I have access to some 4x4 feet steel plate (1/8th" I assume) that I'll need to rip into 2 or 3" strips. Those strips I should be able to cut to size on the chop saw, its the large plate I'm concerned with. I guess the jig saw would be the best solution. |
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Post subject:RE: Replacing metal folding legss on portable stage sections
Posted: Apr 11, 2008 - 03:46 AM #7498
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Joined: Apr 01, 2008
Posts: 25
Location: Humboldt County
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I'd clean the material up, grind off any torch cutting slag and have it sheared into the strips at a local sheet metal shop... Make sure that there are no welded areas on a would be shear line as well.
Might wanna think about having them adding a 90 degree brake to your strips, that would give you angle iron and it sounds like angle iron would work better for what you're doing.
I thought you were talking about cutting strips to length only...
Hardwate stores carry that disk...
It's made by Forney
10" dia, x 3/32" thick x 1" I.D.
Cat# 71864
You will also need to find a 1" saw bushing with the same size hole as the arbor on your chop saw... My guess would be 5/8". |
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Dean in Eureka, CA
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Post subject:RE: Replacing metal folding legss on portable stage sections
Posted: Apr 11, 2008 - 10:41 PM #7501
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Joined: Apr 10, 2008
Posts: 3
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| Thanks Dean. I've been asking around and hunting on the internet. Came up with a circle saw blade made by Morse called a 'metal devil'. They make blades of every size and shape to cut all kinds of metal. The one I need runs arourn $45. But, on the other hand having a metal shop cut this plate into strips sounds even better as long as they dont want an arm and a leg to do it. There are a bunch of them here but they all are very busy, consequently it'll be tough to find a bargan price. I can get 48 strips out of one of these plates and I only need 45 for 10 sections so my immediate need for next month can be easily handled with just 2 sheets. Thaks for your help on this. |
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