Replies

1. 
   RalphBarker | Aug 16, 2012 11:19am | #1

   shelf depth

   "About this long," he says, holding his hands up with the palms facing each other.  ;-)

   ! 1/4" angle "iron" will hold several hundred pounds, I'd guess, before it starts to bend. It's more likely that the grain of the support studs would start to crush before the angle iron would actually bend. Soft wood studs would be more susceptible, of course. I didn't see if the article mentions the actual material, but I'd be concerned about iron staining the wood unless it was painted appropriately. Stainless angle might be better.

   Hot rolled mild steel angle runs about $2 per foot, compared to about $6 or $9 per foot for stainless, depending on the type selected. (at onlinemetals.com)

1. 
   clockman | Aug 16, 2012 11:17pm | #3

   Ralph,

   I did not think about the iron staining but , that's a good point to consider.  I would not by SS angle for

   this purpose, so I will consider painting.  I must admit I wondered about the  4 X 4  lumber and thought

   the same about strenght.  I know it is hard to tell in the pictures but I would lean toward the material being

   Fir or some softwood.  thanks.

   JR

2. 
   roc | Aug 16, 2012 09:46pm | #2

   A guy (or gal) needs one of these

   You can look up stuff like that in this book. (a many years old version would be just as useful and much cheeper at the local used book store).

   http://www.amazon.com/Machinerys-Handbook-29th-Edition-Toolbox/dp/083112900X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345167344&sr=8-1&keywords=machineries+handbook

   Though of course when you add angle bracing the thing gets much stronger.

   PS: here is an old copy for about six bucks

   http://www.amazon.com/Machinerys-Handbook-Guide-Tables-Formulas/dp/0831125993/ref=sr_1_4_title_1_har?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1345167926&sr=1-4&keywords=machinery%27s+handbook+27th+edition

1. 
   clockman | Aug 16, 2012 11:21pm | #4

   Thanks roc, I just ordered a copy.  I knew there had to be a source for such things but

   didn't know where to look.  My son will probably enjoy looking through it as well, he has an

   interest in all things mechanical.

   JR

1. 
   roc | Aug 17, 2012 01:30am | #5

   It comes in handy and ends arguments

   How fast should I turn this size bit in this particular material

   Tons of formulas to figure about anything out

   What size drill bit to use before I tap thread a hole.

   What coolant or lubricant to use when drilling "exotic" materials.  Brass, cast iron, aluminum, stainless steel, titanium etc

   How much torque to put on various strength grades of fasteners.  For both dry thread and lubed thread !

   Strengths of all the grades of load bearing chain

   on and on

   sharpening geometry for cutting all materials in the various ways

   the sort of thing a true nerd can curl up with for hours and that can bore the average person to tears.

   If nothing else it is a big/little thick book and can be used to prop the door open.

2. 
   RalphBarker | Aug 17, 2012 09:06am | #6

   Machinery's Handbook . . .

    . . . don't stay home without it.  ;-)

   A great resource, to be sure. That, and a Starrett full-line catalogue can make a fella complete. ;-)