[TheForge] Steel Storage

[Bruce Freeman]

Happens I was going through recent ABANA chapter newsletters passed along to me by our editor, and I came across a steel rack in one of them.  Unfortunately, I don't remember which - but maybe someone on this forum will remember.  The rack was constructed from available materials, which in this case were I-beams and rectangular stock.  The rack is basically this:

E
E
E
E

etc.  You get the idea:  A backbone with ribs sticking out one way only.  This author chose to angle the ribs upwards slightly, which is a good idea for roundstock, but not (IMNSHO) for flat or rectangular stock, for which horizontal supports are probably better.  The rack was welded together, but I'm sure one could be made bolted together.  A friend of mine has a rack like this, and also a two-sided rack like this (ribs point both ways from backbone).

Now, IMNSHO, tubes are NOT a good idea.  The author of the above article had used cement blocks and came to the same conclusion.  It's a PITA to slide stock in from the end.  You want a rack that gives you access anywhere along the length.  

My own steel rack is not like I've described.  Instead it is a series of square hooks (3 sides of a 6" square) bolted onto steel shelves along one side of my shop.  The hooks are positioned such that they only slightly block access to the shelves behind them (which are spaced about 18" apart vertically).  I have three 4-foot-long shelf units (from Home Depot) so I can stash up to 12' lengths, but this could be extended to twenty feet (had I the shop space) by adding two more such shelf units.  I've probably got about a half a ton of stock on the hooks.

Bruce
NJ




>>> bamablacksmith at comcast.net 12/20/2005 6:38:40 PM >>>
I went and bought $350 worth of new steel today and finally decided that I 
need to come up with some method of storage for the 6 to 20ft sticks.

Because of a tree Ive only got a 20 x 10 space next to my shop where Im 
planning on building a lean-to extension to protect my investment. Steel is 
getting expensive and besides I get tired of having to wire brush 
everything before use.

Im looking for any ideas ya'll might have concerning steel storage. I've 
got everything from  1/8" round to 4X4 sq tubing and everything in between. 
Im hoping one of you has an idea that will make me slap my forehead and say 
"why didnt I think of that".

I've got a good little system for cut-offs.
Anything under 1ft goes in a box under the band saw.
Pieces 1ft to 3ft go on the floor crossways under the layout table.
Items 3ft+ to 6ft go on hangers I welded to the underside of the layout 
table frame, running long ways above the pieces on the floor.
Anything over 6ft go outside..

Any suggestions on designs for this outside steel storage.
Id like to be able to find pieces fairly easily, have the ability to 
segregate the various shapes, and keep it up off the ground.


mike


            Mike Linn
      Artist Blacksmith
          McCalla, AL
        AFC Webmaster
http://afc.abana-chapter.com 

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