Wood vs. Metal racks

hey guys i was wondering why there are lots more DIY wood racks and not metal. I have a welder and i want to make a metal rack (with plastic tubs)

im wondering why people use wood more then metal

because making wood racks is alot easier to do and it is also cheaper. Plus not everyone has a welder just laying around

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Originally Posted by BallPythonMan

because making wood racks is alot easier to do and it is also cheaper. Plus not everyone has a welder just laying around

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Not necessarily. It all depends on the tools you have available to you. My metal rack was easier and just as cheap to make for me as a wood rack would be for most people. Most people don't have an entire fabrication shop at their disposal though. ;)

The welder is actually the part that would be much more likely for the average person to have laying around. Press brakes, shears, and lasers are the tools that you're most likely not going to have access to.

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Originally Posted by BallPythonMan

because making wood racks is alot easier to do and it is also cheaper. Plus not everyone has a welder just laying around

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agreed

After pricing some metal for legs for my freedom breeder.......wood is far cheaper here....LOL

But I think its more of a no welder, or not knowing how to weld thing.

My opinion on this is most people do not know how to weld, but there are some of us who do. I know how to weld but do not have the equipment at my home. I do have easy access to it, but I feel that the time and cost of building a rack this way, is out of range for most people who build their own racks out of wood. There are a few exceptions, but most people who have the money to go out and spend on materials to build a rack out of metal, can easily go out and buy a vision rack, or jasonsjunglerack. Just my two cents:)

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Originally Posted by MDB

My opinion on this is most people do not know how to weld, but there are some of us who do. I know how to weld but do not have the equipment at my home. I do have easy access to it, but I feel that the time and cost of building a rack this way, is out of range for most people who build their own racks out of wood. There are a few exceptions, but most people who have the money to go out and spend on materials to build a rack out of metal, can easily go out and buy a vision rack, or jasonsjunglerack. Just my two cents:)

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A 5 slot rack from Jason's Jungle is listed at $275 on his site. To house 20 balls it would cost $1100. I spent WAY less than that on the materials for the 20 slot rack that I built. I agree that most people don't have access to the equipment to build something like this, but to say that the materials cost as much as any pre-fabbed rack is not accurate at all.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ady/rack-1.jpg

how much did you spend to build that rack?

I can weld and get metal pretty cheap, but not as cheap as I can do a wood rack, so wood being cheaper is the reason. (im speaking for rodent racks not snakes)

Chris, that rack is SICK!

I love it!!!!

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Originally Posted by MDB

how much did you spend to build that rack?

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Honestly? You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you. I'll just say that it was probably about equivalent to what it would cost to build a melamine rack that size. Like I said before though, not everyone has access to the equipment that's needed. If you DO have access to it, the time and money spent building it is well worth it.

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Originally Posted by RichardA

Chris, that rack is SICK!

I love it!!!!

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Thanks Richard, it's probably one of my favorite things to show off that I've built. The only thing I don't like about it is it's SO freakin' heavy. One of these days I'd like to make one from aluminum.

have you got more pics ive been working on something like that myself

ehh I think Im gonna give it a shot and build one, thanks for your input and the kcik in the butt it took to get me to build one:gj:

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Originally Posted by nixer

have you got more pics ive been working on something like that myself

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Not at the moment, but if there's anything in particular you're looking for just let me know.

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Originally Posted by MDB

ehh I think Im gonna give it a shot and build one, thanks for your input and the kcik in the butt it took to get me to build one:gj:

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Glad to hear it, you won't know unless you try. :gj:

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Originally Posted by BallPythonMan

because making wood racks is alot easier to do and it is also cheaper. Plus not everyone has a welder just laying around

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Agreed.

Cheap SMAW. $300.
Oxy Acetylene torch, plus tanks, plus gas $450.

Hand saw $10
Hammer $6
Sand paper $3
Stain $5
Nails ,,,

Well ya get the point.

Now I do have a pretty decent setup in my shop. If it is made of metal, wood or plastic, I can build it. But IMHO nothing looks better than a carefully hand crafted chunk of wood furniture (Rack, etc).

M00kfu I can't see your picture. But it is probably because of the proxy here at work. I will take a look at it when I get home.

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ady/rack-1.jpg

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Chris, Are you able to take each level off or is it all once piece? What materials /thickness did you use? I know a guy local to me that could build something like that as long as I knew the specs of the materials.

Thanks for any help.

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Originally Posted by Typical_08

Agreed.

Cheap SMAW. $300.
Oxy Acetylene torch, plus tanks, plus gas $450.

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actually you want a mig welder!
you dont want a torch!

grinder with a cutoff wheel/ portaband/metal cutting bandsaw
a sheet metal brake
a sheet metal shear


but i cant begin to figure how much my welder has saved me and alot of ppl i know

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Originally Posted by nixer

actually you want a mig welder!
you dont want a torch!

grinder with a cutoff wheel/ portaband/metal cutting bandsaw
a sheet metal brake
a sheet metal shear


but i cant begin to figure how much my welder has saved me and alot of ppl i know

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SMAW provides a stronger weld (IE, a $300 Lincoln 120 can handle using 8020 rod where as a $600 dollar MIG with the same amperage can only produce a weld with a tensile strength up to 70,000), and you can use it outside (I really do not like flux core), so I stuck with my SMAW. I’ve done everything from TIG to submerged (not to be confused with underwater) and thermoplastic. For piddling around the house, making simple projects and doing some minor structural work, the SMAW is IMHO the most cost effective and better all around. And if you are good with a torch, you can make clean cuts, and it is not only cheaper, but takes up less room when your shop consists of a 12 foot by 12 foot shed.

But to each their own. We all have our preferences. :)

Chris,

I'm very curious about how you made the top of each section. Is it metal with holes drilled in it, stretch plate, Plexi...? A close up photo would be great.

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Originally Posted by Typical_08

SMAW provides a stronger weld (IE, a $300 Lincoln 120 can handle using 8020 rod where as a $600 dollar MIG with the same amperage can only produce a weld with a tensile strength up to 70,000), and you can use it outside (I really do not like flux core), so I stuck with my SMAW. I’ve done everything from TIG to submerged (not to be confused with underwater) and thermoplastic. For piddling around the house, making simple projects and doing some minor structural work, the SMAW is IMHO the most cost effective and better all around. And if you are good with a torch, you can make clean cuts, and it is not only cheaper, but takes up less room when your shop consists of a 12 foot by 12 foot shed.

But to each their own. We all have our preferences. :)

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dude we are building racks not skyscrapers and its not 8020 its 8018 either way (cliped from lincoln's site)SuperArc® LA-90 is our premium copper coated, low alloy MIG wire manufactured to meet tensile strength requirements of 80,000 to 90,000 psi (552-620 MPa) minimum. The addition of 0.5% molybdenum provides strength after stress relief. Ideal selection when welding ASTM A182, A217, A234 and A335 high temperature pipe, fittings, flanges and valves and A336 pressure vessel forgings. Best mechanical properties are achieved with an 98-95% argon, 2-5% oxygen shielding gas blend.
they also have higher strength than that.
i said mig not fcaw
and id like to see cuts in 16 gauge or less with a torch without major warpage!
around the house most ppl would weld usually thin metals typically under 1/4 inch.

on another note ive been welding for along time and ive been certified since 96 with gmaw tig smaw pulsearc fcaw by both the AAR and AWS. im a union ironworker used to be a union boilermaker and i have a degree in Metallurgy and used to build railroad pressure vessels.

My bad on the error, been about ten years since college, and nine since I worked for Neighbors, but going back offshore next month.

How much does a rig that can operate off of that cost?

Sorry for going off topic. If ya want we can continue in PM.

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Originally Posted by Jenn

Chris,

I'm very curious about how you made the top of each section. Is it metal with holes drilled in it, stretch plate, Plexi...? A close up photo would be great.

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I can answer that I believe! Sheet metal, holes drilled in front and back for optimum ventilation without sacrificing humidity control. :P Couldnt tell you if he used laser to cut holes, although that sounds about right....

Thanks Connie. I need to do something with the tops on my Freedom Breeder racks to bring up the humidity a bit.

I'd suggest going with plexi, but that could end up being expensive.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I can answer that I believe! Sheet metal, holes drilled in front and back for optimum ventilation without sacrificing humidity control. :P Couldnt tell you if he used laser to cut holes, although that sounds about right....

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looks like he used the same design as an ars rack, laser cutting

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Originally Posted by Typical_08

My bad on the error, been about ten years since college, and nine since I worked for Neighbors, but going back offshore next month.

How much does a rig that can operate off of that cost?

Sorry for going off topic. If ya want we can continue in PM.

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Its fine no need to go to PM i thought that i had more time in welding class and was going to make the rack there but i didnt realize that next week is my last class(1 class per week) and its my final. So i have been searching for a decient welder thats not too pricey

Ok cool. Didn't want to come off as a know-it-all, and sometimes that happens when I post from work as I am posting between working (I really hate this desk work stuff), and unfortunatly when I post from memory I get things a little off from time to time if I don't check my references first (Had a TBI).

Anywho. I picked up my little stick welder from Lowes for right around three hundred. And while I am sure that you could probably find a decent deal on an old MIG welder from a welding shop that is getting new gear, or even a school that is selling their old stuff, I doubt that you will find something cheaper.

The little welder I have, the torch, and the angle grinder are about all I can fit in my little shop along with my forge and my wood working stuff, but after I start this new job I would like to build something bigger, so I can get more stuff.

.........

sure that nice 300 dollar welder is a/c and they stick alot and cant weld half the stuff as the a/c d/c one can nor the lincoln loadhandler 140 from tsc thats right about the same price

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

A 5 slot rack from Jason's Jungle is listed at $275 on his site. To house 20 balls it would cost $1100. I spent WAY less than that on the materials for the 20 slot rack that I built. I agree that most people don't have access to the equipment to build something like this, but to say that the materials cost as much as any pre-fabbed rack is not accurate at all.
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i2...ady/rack-1.jpg

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:bow::bow: So my new best friend, making any more soon? :P

Sorry I haven't been around to answer anyone's questions the past couple of days. Our internet connection at home has been screwy and I haven't had the patience to deal with it long enough to actually come around the forums. I think I can get just about everyone in one post. ;)

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Originally Posted by FIREball

Chris, Are you able to take each level off or is it all once piece? What materials /thickness did you use? I know a guy local to me that could build something like that as long as I knew the specs of the materials.

Thanks for any help.

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Yes, each level is seperate. I pretty much came up with the design by looking at pictures of ARS racks. The sheet metal is 16 gauge steel, all held together by 1/8" thick 1" square tubing.

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Originally Posted by Jenn

Chris,

I'm very curious about how you made the top of each section. Is it metal with holes drilled in it, stretch plate, Plexi...? A close up photo would be great.

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The tops are indeed sheet metal with holes, and yes they were cut out on the laser at work.

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Originally Posted by Jenn

Thanks Connie. I need to do something with the tops on my Freedom Breeder racks to bring up the humidity a bit.

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Like Connie said, plexi would work pretty well but might get pricey. Another option would be the magnetic vent covers they sell. It's a thin sheet with a magnetic side that you can cut to the dimensions that you want. I just recently started using this to cover up some of the holes when the balls go into shed to bump the humidity up a bit.

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Originally Posted by MDB

looks like he used the same design as an ars rack, laser cutting

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You got it right on the dot! :gj:

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Originally Posted by Dragnbaron

:bow::bow: So my new best friend, making any more soon? :P

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Actually, I probably am. I've got a modified design I'm working on figuring out right now that would be a little more work to assemble, but would break down into much smaller sections.

[QUOTE=m00kfu;938685]Yes, each level is seperate. I pretty much came up with the design by looking at pictures of ARS racks. The sheet metal is 16 gauge steel, all held together by 1/8" thick 1" square tubing.QUOTE]

And whats used for the supports for the tubs, is that just like angle iron? Also the bottom of each level is that piece a smaller size so it fits in the top of the next level?

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Originally Posted by FIREball

And whats used for the supports for the tubs, is that just like angle iron? Also the bottom of each level is that piece a smaller size so it fits in the top of the next level?

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It's actually sheet metal that was bent on a press brake, but you could probably get away with using some angle iron. Each leg is made from 1" square tubing, and there's about half an inch of 3/4" square tubing sticking out of the bottom that fits inside the leg of the level below it, keeping it all lined up.