Mild steel I beam

[Chris HammondParticipant @chrishammond37041]

Fellows

Can anyone advise me please if they know any suppliers of mild steel I beam stock in smaller dimensions?

Specifically, I want 14mm (d) x 10mm (w) x 1m.

Any help/advice gratefully received.

Thanks

[Chris HammondParticipant @chrishammond37041]

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

I have never seen that sort of section but it may be made. What is the length of the longest piece you require ? If not to long it could be milled from bar but may bend a little in the process. If you do mill it use black mild steel bar as it is a bit more stable than bright drawn. I have a catalogue somewhere with lots of sections in, I will try and find it.

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Get a cheap buzzbox and weld it up yourself from 3 flatbars?

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, as Chris Evans 6 says, never seen such a size in all my years in industry. According to an old ASD buyers guide edition 6 that I have, the smallest "I" beam was continental PA/IPEA section, which is 78mm x 46mm. You used to be able to get small brass curtain track in an "I" section, but don't know if it is still available or what the actual size was. I think your best bet is mill it out of bar stock as Chris has suggested.

Regards Nick.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

You might get channel that size, two bits of that back to back. Other than That, machine it out of hot rolled steel bar as Chris Evans suggests (probably the only way, although a Meter is fairly long on the average ME mill).

Ian S C

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Does it need to be steel, as there are numerous different Al alloy sections. Perhaps bond 2 'T' sections together
**LINK**
BobH

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

I hate to say this, but it looks like you will need to mill it out of a solid bar.

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

Chris, You might try looking at curtain suppliers / window dressing shops. They may have small section thin metal I beams about the size you mention for curtain tracks, the ones with little wheels held in small U staples. The curtains are hung on the U staples and the wheels allow them to run on the I beam. IKEA may have the I beam also.

Good luck, JD

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Unless you are a very good welder I doubt they could be welded from 1x10mm steel without warping and a lot of clean up. If you milled a shallow groove in the top and bottom flanges then clamped those over the central web it may be possible to silver solder them but not easy.

Are these for your loco frame? If so then most of the Shay builders resort to milling from solid being carfull to make equal cuts from both sides to avoid distortion, have a look at the first post in this thread for an example.

J

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Interesting use of an auto centre punch for setting small copper rivets in that link Jason.
BobH

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 15/01/2017 08:00:14:

… in this thread

.

Jason,

I note this reference: "The jig was made using Mitee-Bite uniforce stock. It comes in 20" lengths and it can be cut to make custom clamps."

That looks useful stuff !! … do you have any experience of using it ?

MichaelG.

.

http://www.hillcliff-tools.com/en/page/mitee-bite

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 15/01/2017 09:56:06

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

No but have a feeling Andrew J may have some of their individual edge clamps.

Looks interesting stuff but have not looked at costs yet, will have a read later. I suppose you could make some folding wedge type clamps to the same principal. I have some C section channel to make soon so may give it a try.

J

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Thanks, Jason

I have downloaded the catalogues, and it all looks lovely stuff

… But, yes, I seem to remember that even the little hexagonal fixture clamps are fairly pricey.

Cost-effective if you are paying for set-up times, but maybe not for the hobbyist.

MichaelG.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

[John ReeseParticipant @johnreese12848]

The Mitee-Bite products are great but terribly expensive. If I were making the I beam I would use a long bar for a fixture, Cut a groove to accept the raw material, grub screws on one side to force the stock to one side of the groove. Provide hold down clamps at intervals to hold the material against the bottom of the groove. Move the hold downs as needed to let the cutter pass.

[Perko7Participant @perko7]

Perhaps cut a small SHS lengthways and weld the two halves back to back? I know this is a bit tricky as they tend to warp when cut lengthways, but a little persuasion with clamps while welding could render a suitable straight length?

[Chris HammondParticipant @chrishammond37041]

Guys, thanks for all the help and advice. Yes it's a tricky one that looks like I may have to mill from flat bar.

Jason, the forum you suggested is where my plans are coming from – Dan Rowe and it's for the same Shay he is building. So I guess, like him, milling is the only way forward.

The length of the beam is just shy of 20" apparently.

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