Unistruts As A Component

[mezmo]

I just remembered these, from my Whole Earth Catalogue reading
days, for a post to another thread in this section, and then later on
decided that they merit their own thread as a possible component
for use in building a TD/TTT. All us older Erector Set users might find
them interesting or usefull at least. Why not the bolt-together method
for building a TD/TTT.

http://www.unistrut.us/index.php
http://www.unistrut.us/index.php?WP=LItLibrary

Cheers,
Norm/mezmo

[Irmo Atomics]

Hey Mezmo, there's one for sale in the COLA Cl:
http://columbia.craigslist.org/for/3535012018.html

unistrut trailer.jpg (67.63 KiB) Viewed 633 times

[Dale M.]

For something stationary I thin UNISTRUT is a wonderful idea.... For something in motion I'm not so sure... IF direct bolt & nut everything maybe, but if you are "clamping" unto "U" channel I thing the twist and flex of going down road is eventually going to "work the clamps and things will start to loose its rigidity (loosen)...

Dale

[H.A.]

[

[KCStudly]

I think 80/20 modular extruded aluminum would be better suited for many of the light weight structures in a TT or TD... especially if you have better machining capabilities than you do the ability to form and weld stock shapes... and if you have a big enough supply of surplus 80/20 material and fittings that are already bought and paid for. Otherwise it would not make much sense due to cost, IMHO.

http://8020.net/

There is a whole system of tabs, fasteners, brackets, etc.

[mezmo]

I was thinking mainly of their square tube with the holes,
not the channel. [That was the Whole Earth Catalogue
article's method - perhaps that was all that Unistrut had
back then - In the 1970s ? ] And securely bolting everything
[use lock washers etc..] I recognize you could go spend-happy
with all the available fittings if you don't watch out. But
most would probably be unnecessary for our use. I just
think it could be an option for a fast way to build
the structure of the body of a TD/TTT. I hadn't really
considered it for chassis use, as my inclination is to have
a more traditional type trailer chassis and the structure
securely attached to, and built on that.

[NathanL]

The bonus of unistrut is you can pick it up for free or nearly free if you live in the right parts of the country. 80/20 is never going to be cheap.

[Dale M.]

The problem with bolting through square tubing, is the tubing will compress over time specially if it is subjected to racking or twisting motion.... Even with lock washers it will eventually loosen.... IF you were to put a filler block or a non compressible sleeve around each bolt inside square tube so square tube can not "compress" you may be on track, but the effort to get any spacers in place and he whole assembly bolted together will be mind numbing and frustrating.... Just buy square tube at local steel sales and learn to MIG weld....

Dale

[Dale M.]

The bonus of unistrut is you can pick it up for free or nearly free if you live in the right parts of the country. 80/20 is never going to be cheap.

With the scrap metal prices and metal scavengers around NOTHING is cheap or for free any more.... I have spent and wasted more time on the "scrounge" for metals for some fabrication and blacksmithing projects that it is actually cheaper (time wise) to actually go and buy new materials....

Dale

[NathanL]

I own a fab shop and we give away literally tons of material every year like unistrut that we use in the chemical plants and refineries every year along with misc. drop pieces of plate, angle and beams if you walk in and ask nicely and don't appear to be headed straight for the scrap yard and have a reasonable story for what you need it for. Every fabricator I have ever worked for, worked with did it the same way and still does.

Every year ever fab shop I know gives away enough material to build a hundred BBQ pits and deer stands which are always popular here as well as 4wheeler trailer etc..

But you have to live where there's a fab shop on nearly every corner.