PDA

View Full Version : stainless bench supports


chrisgay@sbcglo
05-14-2008, 11:20 PM
The following pics tell the story of a job we did last year for a restaurant.
We had to make 86 bases/supports for a series of long bench seats; some benches were straight, some were round, wrapping around a table.
We ended up using 3/8 x 2 stainless 304 bar stock with a brushed finish.:eek: Needless to say, this material don't come cheap.

Here it goes:

1. Start cutting lengths. Sounds simple enough
2. Make a pattern and understand what the heck we're supposed to do with all this expensive metal. :o
3. Stainless steel, meet Mr. Hossfeld.:D
4. For those of you familiar with benders like this, you need no commentary. For those of you who have never used this kind of machine: it required some trial, a fair amount of error, and a good portion of diligence. These are crude machines, seemingly made in barns, but they get the job done, one piece at a time. You just have to understand the metal, the machine, and their/your limitations. So... we take lots of notes, make a bunch of marks and lean into the work. LEVERAGE.;)
5. Jig for the bandsaw to make the right cut.

chrisgay@sbcglo
05-14-2008, 11:26 PM
1. Start lining 'em up. Parts is parts.
2. J.C. keeping us on the straight and narrow.
3. Who's gonna weld this stuff together?! I don't understand.:confused:
4. Not too shabby...:cool:
5. Alright, weld 'em up... all 86. Not the fanciest jig I've ever made, but it got it done.

chrisgay@sbcglo
05-14-2008, 11:39 PM
1. This is a good start.
2. Nobody told me they get mounting plates!?!?! :eek: 172 of them... welded to the formed frames. And I thought I was out of the woods.
3. Ok. Bring it.
4. Stack 'em up.
5. On the way to 86.

Thanks for looking.

Side note: When I weld a lot of stainless steel, I ALWAYS wear a respirator. Read up on Hexavalent Chromium. Even though I was outdoors in good working conditions, I got sick from this job and attributed it to all the fumes. I'd rather not feel that way again. My $ .02. Your health.

Have a good one. Be safe.

STRENGTH AND POWER
05-15-2008, 12:53 AM
Very impressive. Just last night I was talking to a machinist/hot rod builder / fabricator friend about building a jig for some projects I am doing. He described the same thing you did. Thanks for putting a picture to words.

fabricator
05-15-2008, 05:12 PM
A very time consuming project indeed.Have you ever tried having the stainless blasted with a fine grit? makes a nice pewter look.