Questions tagged [steel]

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2 votes
2 answers
102 views

Determining a good steel bar for spit roast

I'm preparing to build a spit roast in my back yard in preparation for a lamb roast party in the future. I have next to no experience working with metals of any kind, and as the steel rods/pipes I'm ...
0 votes
0 answers
68 views

Do 6-way corner brackets exist?

I'm trying to mount a 2x2" horizontal cross for guy lines to a central vertical 2x2" post. Forgive my 3d art, but here's a picture. Each post intersects at the same point and all posts are ...
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0 votes
0 answers
21 views

J Trim/Channel in metal building options

I recently had a metal building put up, that is going to be my residence. I like everything about it, except how the windows were put in. I'm not very familiar with steel buildings, so I'm not sure ...
-1 votes
2 answers
57 views

Looking for steel pipe glides that have ball bearings for smooth movement and that can hold a lot of weight [closed]

This may not be the right place to ask this, but I'm not sure where is really. I'm looking to build something in my home that slides in and out on steel pipes, about 1.5-2" in diameter, and that ...
0 votes
1 answer
38 views

Drill bit breaks when exiting material (Drilling Steel)

When drilling stainless steel on a drillpress and clamping my workpiece on a machine vise the drill likes to grab the material right at the time when the exit hole reaches its final diameter. If I'm ...
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4 votes
2 answers
191 views

How should I splice NM cable to get through a replacement beam?

I'm remodeling my kitchen and removing a load bearing wall. Existing triple 2x10 beam has cables that pass thru it via drilled holes. Structural engineer has spec'd a W8x24 I-beam to replace the ...
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0 votes
1 answer
57 views

Hanging a left hinged door as a right hinged door

I purchased a steel door that has hinges on the left side, if you’re standing inside the home. The door opens into the house, can I simply install the door with the hinges on the right? This will put ...
0 votes
2 answers
71 views

Replace steel post with aluminum

I have a steel post that is 4" x 4" x .250" wall. it is exposed in the Florida keys and want to replace with aluminum. It sits on a concrete floor and supports a concrete floor above. ...
0 votes
1 answer
89 views

What size square tubing or pipe do I need for a Scaffold

I want to make a small scaffold about 2.5 metres high with a base about is 2.5 x 1.2 meters- for my self I am about 75kg - Please can you advise What size galvanized tubing do I need ? would 20 x 20 ...
0 votes
0 answers
31 views

What is the best wind-resistant wood-to-tube post installation using mechanical adapters?

I am installing a privacy fence using 29 gauge PBR panels and mechanical fence post adapters similar to the Simpson Strong-Tie pictured below. Each panel will overlap one another and each post by at ...
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0 votes
2 answers
124 views

Maintenance of this range hood exhaust vent through the roof

As you can see, the vent in question cuts through a Colorbond (steel) roof top. Its contact with the roof is sealed with silicon. My question is: what do I need to know about the maintenance? Can the ...
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

Load bearing steel post rusted

At my mum's place, there's a steel post holding up the lintel over a sliding door because the wall next to the door has a box air con in it. However, it's badly rusted at the bottom due to the rain we'...
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8 votes
1 answer
2k views

What are the "pinch" marks on steel rods called that stop something from sliding past and how do you make them?

I've seen these kind of marks on several steel rods, usually axles, but I don't know how are they called and which tool makes them. They are usually used to stop something, like a washer, go past them....
0 votes
2 answers
92 views

Whether and how to remove slag from stick welding crevices

I am learning stick welding and yet to learn how to make smooth welds without crevices. But I already have quite a few now and wonder what to do with them. I tried to remove the slag inside them with ...
0 votes
1 answer
182 views

How can I extend a square hollow section (SHS) steel post?

When I bought a steel patio kit, I thought I would put one of its square hollow section (SHS) steel posts on the existing balcony so I ordered it in two and half meters. However, I have changed my ...
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3 votes
3 answers
432 views

Will Stainless Steel Screws with Galvanized Hinges Cause Corrosion? (Exterior Application, Near Ocean)

I have a set of galvanized hinges for a shed door. The shed is located 50 feet from the ocean. Very salty air. The hinges didn't come with screws and I'm having a hard time finding suitable galvanized ...
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1 vote
2 answers
71 views

How can I reduce the effects of dilatation of wood on a steel deck?

I am planning to build an outdoor deck at my house. The dimensions will be 3x9 m. The base of the deck will be short concrete columns and on them I'd like to place a frame made of steel bars. The top ...
0 votes
2 answers
112 views

Bench grinder sparks and gloves... (a question) [closed]

I'm wondering about others' preferences if and when you wear gloves while using a bench grinder. I am aware that gloves are not always a good idea since glove material can get caught in the works and ...
0 votes
0 answers
472 views

How much weight can 14 gauge 3” square tubing support?

I’m trying to determine the load that will be subjected to a fence I want to build. The idea is that the posts of the fence will be constructed or 3x3-inch 14 gauge square tubing with stringers sized ...
0 votes
0 answers
32 views

Should my new steel stairs have a rubber gasket under for flexing?

Building an all steel staircase in my workshop, with 6" C channel stringers. I'm wondering if I should put some rubber inner tube under the plates at the bottom of the stringers on the concrete ...
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0 votes
2 answers
71 views

Steel electrical boxes downstream of a 100 amp subpanel

Do steel electrical boxes need to be grounded downstream of an unbonded 100 amp subpanel?
-1 votes
2 answers
170 views

Using narrow (25mm-27mm) steel studs for walls

I did some research, watched some videos. All of those shows how to install standard steel studs for walls (50mm-100mm x 50 mm). For ceiling there are more narrow studs, like 60mm x 27mm or 60mm x ...
0 votes
1 answer
207 views

Strengthening a gazebo roof support rod that was previously bent

Snow fell on my gazebo while I still had the canopy on it. It bent the rods inwards and downward. I have managed to straighten them as much as I could, but I feel like they need to be strengthened ...
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4 votes
0 answers
80 views

How do I replace the shutoff valve on steel pipe? [duplicate]

Can anyone tell me what I’m working with here? I’d like to replace this gnarly shutoff valve (for a toilet) with one of the newer style quarter turns. It’s an old house, and I believe the supply pipe ...
0 votes
0 answers
1k views

Angle iron vs rectangular tubing for utility trailer

I am preparing to build my own utility trailer. Is there a source for comparing angle iron strengths vs rectangular tubing? As I general rule, for the same size and thickness, tubing is stronger. A ...
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1 vote
0 answers
86 views

Using angle steel as stair tread cleats

My walkout basement concrete pit was poured with a 36" wide area for the steps you can walk up to get to grade (sorry for the crude ASCII art): w +---+ | | | +--------+ | | +-----...
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2 votes
3 answers
720 views

How to clean (and maintain) oxidation off powder coated steel

I just bought a used powder-coated steel rack that has some signs of wear and oxidation. I was wondering how best to clean/restore it, without damaging the coating. Is using water/vinegar potentially ...
0 votes
1 answer
263 views

Gluing furring strips to steel plates to attach drywall to a steel plate

I have some beams in my ceiling that have been sistered with some steel plates. The long term plan is to put drywall as a finish, but that would require screwing the drywall to something. You can't ...
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0 votes
0 answers
1k views

Is it okay to screw self-tapping screws into a steel lintel of unknown thickness?

I want to install blinds into windows that have a metal lintel. The lintel appears to be a steel beam of unknown thickness. Can I just screw self-tapping screws in there? Should I drill a pilot hole ...
1 vote
0 answers
52 views

Best material to protect concrete outdoor retaining wall from BBQ/pizza oven built onto it

Note - I've read Should I insulate my pizza oven between the firebrick base and concrete? and Will a slab poured with mortar stand up to service under a pizza oven? but they aren't rerally what I need....
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0 votes
2 answers
50 views

reversibly adhere steel parts (outdoors)

I bought a rain gauge for the garden. It consists of a long steel stick and an upper part that holds the jar. The upper part is merely put on top; there is no screw thread or anything to stick both ...
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1 vote
2 answers
116 views

I recently moved into a house and it looks like a chemical has been used on the stainless steel drain and left marks. Is it possible to clean it off?

Markings around stainless steel sink
1 vote
1 answer
910 views

Can I replace a 4x4 pine post with smaller steel post?

In a basement, I would like to replace an old 4x4 pine, load bearing, interior post with a square steel tubing post. The goal is to reduce the physical size as much as possible for aesthetics and ...
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0 votes
3 answers
281 views

How can I color polished stainless steel?

I refer to stain that is intentionally created, similar to how we stain wooden surfaces to make them look nicer. I have mirror-like stainless steel strips, and I'd like to stain it to appear darker. ...
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5 votes
8 answers
2k views

Rust at welded steel beam joint

My house has a 20 ft long steel beam running across the entry way with two i-beams for supports. The supports are welded to a base plate at the ground. The joints have quite a bit of rust on them. I'...
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1 vote
2 answers
778 views

Joining galvanized gutter sections: Rivet, solder, spotweld, or another method?

I will be replacing a section of gutter on a barn in a month and was wondering what the best method of joining the sections is. I will have limited ergonomics working in a lift about 27 ft off the ...
-1 votes
1 answer
161 views

Calculation Of Steel Beam

I have a project where I need to span a 6 meter gap (~ 19.5ft) The beam will be supporting a load of 150KG (~ 330lbs) The load will be evenly spread along the beam. There can be no supports along the ...
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11 votes
6 answers
7k views

I want to build an all metal, self-designed building. Are metal frame and joists really that infeasible?

I have been putting together plans for my dream house. First an architect friend of mine said she might help, but right now she's got too much business and she hasn't even had time to look at a ...
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1 vote
3 answers
216 views

Which door is strongest?

I'm comparing two security doors. The first option is aluminum: It uses Meshtec which from what I've read is pretty much impossible to get through. However, from what I've read, aluminum is a lot ...
14 votes
11 answers
6k views

What is the right tool to cut a clothesline made of coated steel?

I have a clothesline that is made of 5-6 braided tiny steel wires that is coated with flexible plastic. I need to cut it to smaller segments, I tried using a cable cutter made of carbon steel but it ...
0 votes
1 answer
214 views

What kind of primer and what kind of paint should I use for a metal staircase inside a house?

I am having a staircase welded and installed inside my house in Indonesia. This is just cheap steel, not stainless or galvanised, it's new but fairly rough and ready stuff. The steel part is being ...
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1 vote
0 answers
72 views

Two metal I Beams are not spliced

We viewed a home that had steel I Beams. 2 of them were end to end over a support beam but were not spliced, they were only attached to the top of the pillar via 2 bolts per beam. Very similar to this ...
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3 votes
3 answers
879 views

How can I determine if metal parts are stainless steel?

I want to mount a plexiglass logo-plate on my home-office main door, but I had to buy these standoffs. I bought them on Amazon where the claim was they were stainless steel (inoxidizable). I have ...
1 vote
1 answer
217 views

Basement Steel Stud Framing with 1.5" Float

How does one frame a basement with steel studs where 1.5" of float is required? I reached out to the inspector and he said "...use a bottom slip track deep enough to accommodate 1 ½” of ...
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1 vote
2 answers
609 views

How can I reduce the size of a bore in steel to accommodate screw threads?

I want to somehow get an M5 insert into a 7.5mm diameter hole in solid steel. (The hole has already been drilled with 7.5mm DeWalt cobalt-tipped drill bit.) Is there such a thing as a threaded insert ...
  • 11
0 votes
1 answer
101 views

How to construct a timber and steel staircase?

I need to produce some detailed staircase technical drawings for unit. What’s the best way to attach the tread to the riser (#1/#2/some other way)? Also, how do you attach the oak tread to the steel ...
0 votes
1 answer
121 views

13ft wide desk/workbench with only one leg

This question is much like: how to "float" a large desk (3000mm x 720mm x 40mm) between walls but somewhat different (mainly, significantly wider). I want to build a desk that is 13ft wide, ...
0 votes
2 answers
52 views

Rebar cutter and bender's and the relative grade range of steel

I'm comparing two budget rebar bender and cutter products (Crescent or HIT Tools), not sure the grade of steel Crescent is able to handle other than "soft or mild steel", HIT mentions up to ...
0 votes
2 answers
2k views

Steel H Beam Needed For Outdoor Deck

Question: What size H Beams are needed? Background: I’m building a deck over our walkout basement. The basement is only 7’ tall, so the deck beams need to be as short as possible with the fewest ...
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0 votes
1 answer
553 views

How to repair Garden gate latch 'spring clip'?

Google for "garden gate latch" and you'll see the gate latch we have. It's sold by the hundreds of thousands worldwide under different brands. I bought mine in the UK through B&Q (Blooma ...
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