Ski Builders Forum

I just finished designing my press. I have it fully auto caded up. If anyone wants the design shoot me an email. Email me through my blog or direct
Davidwleichty@gmail.com.

i hope to help some folks out..later


http://weskigrace.blogspot.com/2010/08/ ... press.html

I will learn how to post pics, as I am new to all this, sorry

Yikes. Let's take a step back before you hurt yourself. This looks unsafe.

What are the dimensions (your picture has a scale of 1" = 1ft, but that's hardly relevant on a computer image)? That looks like maybe 2" square steel tubing?

You will need a LOT more steel than that my friend. Those threaded rods look tiny too... have you worked out any of the numbers? Pressure, force, bending loads, etc?

Here is your image posted for you:

"Here are the steel material costs and contact info for Mountain steel:

total price: $674.00

2 @ W 24 x 55 x 2-0 w/ Holes (wide flanges)


6 @ HSS 4 x 4 x .250 x 8-0 w/ holes"

Ha, as it turns out I can't read

Even still with three 4x4's, its going to deflect a lot.

I added a 1/2" Plate top and bottom of the 4x4 beams. I will be welding those plates in place as well as 1/2" Dia bolts in four points. This should keep the deflection to a minimum, as the 1/2" plate will spread the force evenly. I have not run any calcs on it yet as I am just learning this whole thing.
I will post the updated version on my blog for viewing. I need to figure out how to post images on here. Thanks for doing that.
Dave

I am also going to drill through the 4x4 beams from front to back. I will run threaded 1/2" DIA rod through the 4x4 and have two nuts on either side of the beams. In the front and back I will attach 1/2" plates that run from the 4x4 beams on the top to the 4x4 beams on the bottom. In the back of the press they will be bolted in. the front of the press they will be elongated slots for quicker removal for loading. I am going to draw that up right now. Thanks for the advice.

You seem to be trying to re-invent the wheel here. There are reasons people stick to the same general designs for their frames.

The 1/2" plates you are adding on the top and bottom will do next to nothing to take up any of the bending load, all they will do is make the thing heavier. What you need is more vertical structure on the top and bottom, shear webs. That takes up the most bending load. That's why people use giant I-beams. If you added more of the 4x4 beams, that would help.

Are you also saying you're going to have a plate covering the entire backside? That will certainly help with any deflection (its a huge shear web), but it seems overkill, and again will make this thing weigh a ton. 1/2" thick steel plate seems insane... You'll need a crane to move this thing.

Curious to see an updated drawing.

Ok I checked out your blog and saw the updated drawing.

If it were me, I would ditch the 1/2" plates. Those have to weigh a few hundred pounds each, and again will do next to nothing for bending load. Especially if you're just bolting them on with 4 bolts... all you've done there is created a bomb, those 4 bolts will snap (shear).

So I would ditch the 1/2" plates and double up the 4x4" bars. Either side by side, or better yet, top and bottom. Weld two together vertically, and you'll have a nice stiff beam.

Put a hose in, pump it up slowly, and see how much it deflects. The forces you're creating are epic, and shouldn't be taken lightly.

You boys might be saving my life...

Ok, I agree 100% with ditching the plates. I have updated it again on the blog and submitted a 3D Model into Google Sketch up.
http://weskigrace.blogspot.com/2010/09/ ... nload.html

This version show the plate, I will ditch those and add 4x4 on top and bottom plus the 2x2 in these versions. I have to work with what I have as I am not made of $$, so all this helps.

Thanks again for all the eyes, experience and information etc etc...

I also doubled up the bolt patter and went with 5/8" Bolts. The 2x2 structure will help a ton..

Thanks again.

http://weskigrace.blogspot.com/2010/09/ ... nload.html

Check it out if you have some time. Thanks for the help....

Bladder is up and holding air as well. Off to buy some steel..OUCH

http://weskigrace.blogspot.com/

Thanks for the help!

http://weskigrace.blogspot.com/2010/09/ ... esign.html


that might make it easier..

Looks bomber, now get to building! Woohoo!