Weldless Steel Brew Frame...is It Possible?

[gruntus]

Hi All,

I currently use a timber gravity fed brew frame but its now beginning to show it age...and I'm starting to get an itch for something bigger and better...its a curse that I'm sure we all share.

I was wondering if its possible to construct a metal framed brew rig without having to weld it. Are there such things as pre-fabricated corner and t-pieces of 40mm RHS (or similar)...or am i going to have to bite the bullet and learn the fine art of welding (not to mention fork out the cash for all the kit).

I was hoping that I could drill though the RHS and bolt the pieces together. Has anyone done something similar?

Thoughts anyone?

Gruntus.

 

[Bizier]

I have some seriously strong shelving I made from Dexion pre-drilled angle lengths, some aluminium brackets and lots of wingnuts.

I will be welding my brew stand though.

 

[Franko]

Another option for you is dexion it bolts together like a mechano set

Franko

 

[T.D.]

Yep, plenty of options available. Dexion racking is a big one. Tried and tested. I have some and it is SOLID - every bit as good as a welded frame. Alternatively I have seen some slotted steel (ie able to be bolted together in various configurations) at Bunnings from time to time. They also have some plastic connectors that you could use to put together a frame out of 1" aluminium square tubing. Not sure if that one would be the best bet - particularly if you were using a burner.

 

[schooey]

There's a few threads kicking around where people have purchased bolt together kits from Bunnings and such that have worked out for them. I just cant remember who they were

 

[yardy]

you could spigot all your steel work and drill and bolt but imho get a little stick welder and go for it.

cheers
yard

 

[jayse]

Mecano gravity system.
This is slottod angle iron, quite heavy duty.
That was about 100 bucks worth of the stuff from paramount browns in adelaide, come with the nuts and bolts if you buy that much, basically a whole prepacked bunch. only tools need are a hacksaw, screwdriver and something to hold the nut while your screwing, measuring tape might be handy.

 

[Jakechan]

If you had asked 10 years ago my FIL could have made you one. Thats when they moved from Woorarra Ave

But good welders are cheap now, and as a matter of coincidence I bought a CIG Weldskill 170 Inverter last week, and $700 of 30mm RHS and have been re-teaching myself how to weld. So I say go the welder, it will pay for itself in no time. Just make sure you get nice thick steel to start with, 3mm is good for us newbies

Cheers,
Jake

 

[bozzy]

imho get a little stick welder and go for it.

i agree with yardy. i bought a little stick welder a couple of years ago for $150 or so n it works guite well for a cheap little unit. (ive since bought a mig n its much better but it was quite pricey)

another good option would be to get one of your mates to weld it up for you. ask around, youd be surprised how many people can weld and own a welder.

or go to the local pub n ask one of the local boiler makers to weld it up for you for a couple of cases of beer.

 

[gruntus]

Cheers to all for the quick replies...plenty of good suggestions there.

Any chance of a rough guesstimate in cost and comparison between a welded/dexion/other...I am planning to go with a level brew rig (0.5 m D x 1.5m L x 0.5m H) with march pump.

 

[Ducatiboy stu]

19' comms racks/cabintes are also very strong


They are like commodores and falcons

 

[yardy]

go to the steel yards and get prices on seconds and get to BOC and have a look there at the Welders, 140 amp is plenty big enough for what you'll be doing, agree also with getting 3mm RHS, it's a little more forgiving than the lighter stuff.

price all up ?

$250/$300 approx for a decent welder from BOC
and allow $200 for your material and grinding wheels, welding rods etc, i got quoted $80 a length (8mtr) for 3mm 40x40 RHS recently.

Ferrocraft 22 (Iron Powder) would be a good choice of rod for a beginner imo, downhand position only but piss easy to strike an arc and use.

no affiliation to BOC btw, just an example....

good luck

Cheers
Yard

 

[FarsideOfCrazy]

If you think the welder is a bit daunting I'd just go with the knock together shelving units from bunnings. I got one ages ago for a work bench which has a 150kg per shelf weight rating.

You can set it up in a longer configuration for a work bench or a taller configuration for shelves. Also it is quite sturdy. The only thing that is a problem for a brewery setup is the shelves are MDF, which doesn't like getting wet or hot. So some sort of other shelving might be in order.

 

[Jakechan]

As a further example I got the CIG for $380. And I actually bought 2.5mm RHS which is why I know 3mm is good But its probably a good way for me to learn.
140 amps (given my week of experience) is heeeeaaaapppsss. Im keeping the CIG down at about 60 amps, any more and Im blowing holes in the steel.

Also, give a thought to the finish of the steel. Are you going to paint it? Powdercoat? Maybe just get gal and leave it at that?
Powdercoating is expensive and probably not worth it for a brewing setup but if this is what you want then buy painted steel, not glavanised, it will make the powdercoating a lot cheaper.
If going galvanised, then you will have to cold-gal the welds to prevent corrosion.


Cheers,
Jake

 

[RobW]

I picked up enough second hand dexion plus nuts, bolts, foot plates etc to make a 3 tier stand for $100.

 

[gruntus]

Thanks yardy and jakechan (and others)....me thinks i will go down the welding path as I've always wanted to learn to weld...did a bit of arc welding at high school 20 years ago....thought it was pretty cool.

Whats the best entry level equipment CIG/MIG/Arc or are they all of the same?

 

[Jakechan]

Well, here's what I was told.

1. Try to avoid the cheap Chinese knock-offs.
2. Inverter is the go for a nice, steady welding experience.
3. You get what you pay for.

2nd hand is always good of course. I can post some pics tomorrow of my newbie welding exploits if you like, if it may ease your concerns.

Cheers,
Jake

 

[Jakechan]

CIG is a brand, not a type of welder. (unlike TIG, MIG and Arc).

Cheers,
Jake

 

[gruntus]

CIG is a brand, not a type of welder. (unlike TIG, MIG and Arc).

I thought i was doing alright with the lingo...hope i do better when i attempt to weld

Please post the pics....I am keen to get a better idea of whats involved.

 

[TidalPete]

I was hoping that I could drill though the RHS and bolt the pieces together. Has anyone done something similar?

If welding is too much to contemplate & you can't get any cheap Dexion then get whatever lengths\type of RHS you need plus a length of 50mm x 50mm x 3.00mm angle iron.
Cut up all the brackets (The width of the RHS) you need out of the angle iron, drill your bolt holes, bolt together, & Bob's your uncle.

TP