/How much/ - steel tubing :-0

Isn't an RSJ or UB cheaper?

| Ok, need 2 pieces of steel tube 4" X 2" X 10' These are to go across | the top of the garage walls to support some heavy loads I want to put | up in the rafters, and I don't really want to use wood. | | Steel stockholders have quoted £135.75 + VAT for 5mm wall thickness. | | I've spotted some pressed steel beams in B&Q that are about 3" X 3", | seam welded and galvanised that would do, but these only come in ~ 4' | lengths at about £20 a throw. | | Anyone know what these are called so I can have a look around, or | suggest any strong alternatives and/or rough costs ?

Try the local scrap yards. I got a bit of girder quite cheaply, the only problem was that it had holes in it.

Sounds like you're after "box section" then.

Try some other metal merchants, but you may need to make sure they'll deliver to you as that will be very heavy in 5mm wall.

Have a look at

Alan.

Go to an aerial suppliers these sell all manner of Steel&Aluminium poles.

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

I've spotted some pressed steel beams in B&Q that are about 3" X 3", seam welded and galvanised that would do, but these only come in ~ 4' lengths at about £20 a throw.

Anyone know what these are called so I can have a look around, or suggest any strong alternatives and/or rough costs ?

Cheers

Paul.

================ They're probably 'Catnic' lintels. Ask at you local builders' merchants for sizes, specifications and prices.

Cic.

In article , snipped-for-privacy@technologist.com writes

You find that for a given profile shape that price goes up with weight so say

Maybe look at a trial install of superbeam to work out what you really need for the weight you will be looking to supporting.

As others have said, different profiles may be lighter (cheaper) for a given strength. I think the profile that looks like half an 'I' beam (bloody san serif fonts) (can't remember the proper name) is strong but easy to bolt to 'stuff'. What are you using for vertical support?

Not for going across a garage to hang heavy loads off!

Erm! the steel poles are equivalent to 'scaffolding', what sort of weight are we talking here as it really hasn't been mentioned, just "heavy load"?

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

The fundamental question is what load is this beam to take. Box sections are not particularly efficient when compared with I sections since a lot of the steel is not being used to advantage.

I was guessing at lifting an engine out of a car ... At a quick check a

This to me suggest somethiing like...doors,wood,boxes of heavy stuff.

"support some heavy loads I want to put up in the rafters".

-- Sir Benjamin Middlethwaite

If you are near Rochdale, I have a maybe 10ft ( I'm at work ) scaffold pole that will prob do for one of your supports, foc but you have to take it away. If interested I'll measure it at the weekend.

Pete

Thanks for the thought and offer, but i'm in Hampshire.

Wasn't really looking at scaffold poles, due to the 'roundness' of them, whereas square or rectangular bar would sit on the wall quite happily.

Cheers

Paul.

Yes, the B&Q stuff is thinner than 5mm, but looks quite substantial nonetheless.

It was in the lintel section.

Don't really want to go less than 4mm wall thickness, to avoid bowing in the centre of the beam but will go and have a look for a small I section RSJ too.

Cheers

Paul.

In message , snipped-for-privacy@technologist.com writes

Hi Paul,

if you're going to be looking on the web for suitable materials etc, it is easier if you know the terminology.

I can't claim to be an expert, I was sort of forced into understanding it by engineers drawings for loading calculations for our impending loft conversion.

For you and I, "Box Section" = SHS (Steel Hollow Section) For you and I, "C Section" = PFC (Parallel Flange Channel)

etc etc

UB also has its own sectional definition (AIUI it could be close to "I" section).

What we all used to call "box section", "I section", "C section" etc all now have their own posh names and acronyms.

If you Google for some of the acronyms you should find some suppliers (as I had to with these drawings for this loft). You should at least be able to find some price indications and know what you could be getting for your money, even it is OTT for your needs.

Hth

P.S. We should now both expect a flood of replies on here telling us my acronyms are wrong :-) Someone

| Don't really want to go less than 4mm wall thickness, to avoid bowing | in the centre of the beam but will go and have a look for a small I | section RSJ too.

All beams bow under load. you meant "to avoid *too much* bowing"

I'd go for a secondhand RSJ or UB. The supplier will cut to length. Will be a bit OT but probably cheaper than a new box section.

Yup - SHS = Square hollow section RHS = Rectangluar hollow section etc...

Yes, the B&Q stuff is thinner than 5mm, but looks quite substantial nonetheless.

It was in the lintel section. =================== Then it was probably a lintel, as I said in my earlier reply. Do a 'google' for 'Catnic lintels' and see if they're what you're looking for.

Cic.