Ski Builders Forum

So I looking into purchasing I beams to build my press, I dont want to buy new as I know there has to be somewhere that there has to be somewhere I can find some large I beams that have been gently used. Any ideas where you might of found ibeams at decent cost.

Go to any steel fab shop in your town. They always have random beams in their yard and they will negotiate the price. I ended up finding my beams on craigslist.

Found two large box sections (10 mm wall) at a powder coating factory - they powder coat bridge parts. Two I beams 8 x 8 at scrap yard - they had a lot of this kind of stuff. They have a few dinges. Over-spec'd to allow for un-known past use.

I always see i-beams on craigslist, from torn down bridges/buildings, etc.

check local salvage yards or fab shops ,large construction companys. I got mine from a iron fab shop. They might not be exactly what you want , I got 3 13 footers, cut 3 of them to 8ft. and used the drops to get 1 more.
It does'nt have to be I-beams either there are a lot of designs on this site that don't use I-beams.

Artski: from what i have read, arent I beams the most stable beams to use for a press? am i correct?

Here's a list http://www.roymech.co.uk/Useful_Tables/ ... UB_dim.htm , a general discussion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beam_(structure) ,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Structural_steel

Hey fresh, I beams do work well but they can be expensive. So much of the process of skibuilding cost alot so whenever you can save money is good
Most everyone around here builds with whateverl they can get a deal on.

Search on the internet for your city and steel surplus, or just steel. Find places with recyclers or surplus in their name and ask for beams. It helps if you know what size because they will have just about everything. Check here to find out what size you want: http://www.engineersedge.com/standard_m ... erties.htm
I used W12x40 (that is 12 inches high and 40 pounds per foot), 8 inches wide
This site can help you determine how thick a beam you will need based on how much pressure you will apply and using the moment of inertia (lxx) from the table: http://www.engineersedge.com/beam_bendi ... tion_1.htm
hope that helps