By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 12:14 am: Edit

I need to know what kind of metal bar cross section / type would be best to hold the weight of about 3000 lb in the middle of a 5 foot length (suspended on each end). I am guessing I-beam, but not really sure of the specs. Can't find anything on the web though.

If you can help, it would be much appreciated.

Dean

By Ali on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 08:39 am: Edit

I'm not structural engineer but an I-beam should work well. Of course you'll need to know the height and width before ordering one. Look for a metalaurgical (spell?) handbook to see the capacity each type of I-beam. To give you an idea, a 12" high, 8" wide I-beam was used for a load of 5 tons on one of my projects at work. If you don't get an answer, email me and I'll look it up for you next week.

By wiseguy on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 12:24 pm: Edit

5 foot pole with a dead cat and a Discoweb sticker!

By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:18 pm: Edit

Ok Mr Wiseguy,

Don't you think it would make life easier for washing underneath the rover, if you could jack up 1 side 40 degrees and get in there with the pressure washer? Or change TWO wheels in one go? Or work underneath without crawing around with crap falling in your eyes? (Of couse, I'm gonna neat some 5 foot axle stands too for that alst one, but that's another day)

Dean

By Bill Bettridge (Billb) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:29 pm: Edit

Dean - this only helps a little I realize, but to pressure wash mine - I drive both wheels on one side up onto ramps. It doesn't lift it far, but far enough to help wash it.

Bill

By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:31 pm: Edit

Bill,

Yeas, that's what I've been doing. I think it looks cooler that it really is useful

By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:34 pm: Edit

Ali,

It would save me a bit of time if you could check the book out for me. I mean, actually HAVING the book does rather imply you would have an infinitely greater chance of getting the right answer than me!

Dean

By broder on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:50 pm: Edit

I am a structural engineer and if your serious about needing a beam size email me.

eric

By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:59 pm: Edit

broder - your email is not enabled

email me if oy ulike, mine is (click on the DeanBrown3D link)

Thanks
Dean

By 200 Tdi on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 09:56 pm: Edit

Dean,

Here are some steel sections that will work.

5" deep TFB "I" beam section

4" deep Channel "C" section

4" x 2" x 1/8" RHS (rectangular hollow section)

3" x 2" x 1/4" RHS

These have been converted from Australian sizes

John D