Building a Grizzly Screen

[Apsterbobed]

This summer I was able to get my hands on a good amount of 4x4 steel square tubing and some round aluminum. I plan on using the steel to build a grizzly screen, no plans for the aluminum yet.



I know it looks like mostly round, that's because I had already carried 3 or 4 squares into the garage.

Yesterday I laid out all of my cuts and planed on cutting out all my parts. After cutting the end of two poles the band on my band saw broke, so that was the end of that.

Today I dug around for another band with no luck. Luckily I had 2 batterys for my saws all, I manages to get all but 2 cuts done. They are not the best looking cuts but they will work fine for something I plan on throwing rocks at.





While I waited for the battery to charge I cleaned off some paint and welded up the base. Then finished the remaining cuts before calling it a day.

 

[Citydude]

Nice! Looking forward to see the process.

 

[Rustyiron]

I would "shoot" for a 45* angle if it's not too late. I bought one a guy built, about 8' x 12' it was $400, very cheap. Also built out of .25" 4x4 sq. Iirc, about a 4" space between. It does not have enough slope and plugs often. I end up digging a trench for the side & back walls to set in the ground for a better (steeper) angle.

 

[Rustyiron]

Oh, and that's a real nice bench top in your pic!:cool2:

 

[Apsterbobed]

I would "shoot" for a 45* angle if it's not too late.

That's the angle I was shooting for, years ago I built a screen out of some wire shelf and plywood. I had an angle of 30 to 40 degrees. It was too light duty for our JD 790 but it got the job done! I would dump one maybe two buckets on it then rake the screen off, I hope to have it steep enough that I don't have to rake anymore!

Oh, and that's a real nice bench top in your pic!:cool2:

I'm assuming your referring to the steel bench, the sad thing is after the tractor that's the nicest tool in my workshop! It is great though, never moves, doesn't burn, and you can tack weld to it to hold parts while you work.

 

[stuckmotor]

Ohhhhhhh... It's a rock screen. I didn't think they had grizzly bears in Maine. :confused3:

 

[Apsterbobed]

Yep a rock screen, sorry I should have said that.



For example, buy nowhere near as nice or large.

 

[hr3]

Old light poles ,,, I like it..

 

[Rustyiron]

I can see a nice dock made out of those alum. poles with the base on it:

 

[Apsterbobed]

I can see a nice dock made out of those alum. poles with the base on it:

Now that's a great idea! I have been thinking about using a few of them to build a tree stand but none of my ideas have stuck.

 

[Apsterbobed]

Back to the project... This evening I managed to get the top section all welded up.



Once the top was finished I figured I should let my little welder cool down. So I decided to try and figure out how to get the top up in the air.



Once in the air I figured I may as well lay out the uprights to get a visual. I still have to weld the vertical tubes to the base.



Hopefully in the next few days I can get the verticals attached.

 

[Citydude]

Looks nice! Your doggies like it too.

 

[Apsterbobed]

Looks nice! Your doggies like it too.

Part of the reason I stopped welding this evening was they decided to come in and watch. Usually a little grinding before I weld gets them outside away from the noise for a while. I think they were trying to tell me they were cold or hungry maybe a little both.

 

[Apsterbobed]

Not a lot of time to work this evening, I did manage to tack all the uprights in place. They are mostly square and plumb . Then I lifted the top into place, I got one end shuffled into position and tacked down. I ran out of time before I could finish the other end...

 

[Apsterbobed]

Wow, a month since I posted! I had some welder troubles. The dutie cycle on my welder couldn't handle what I was asking for, so I borrowed a full size welder but that ended up being a nightmare of not having any of the parts I needed. So I ended up using mine anyways and just wasted time messing around with the other welder, I could have finished quicker if I hadn't botherd. To beat the dutie cycle I would go weld 2 sides of the tubing, then take the dogs for a walk or clean the yard or something then come back and do 2 more. I spent Saturday doing that and got finished with the frame. Tonight I put the plywood on the back and sides, forgot to get a picture with the wood. Now I am just down to the actual screening.



Now I am looking for suggestions on the screen. I will have to purchase this steel so I have been putting this off. I have been kicking around the idea of welding on bars to a 4" (give or take ) space, then build an overlay mat to reduce it to 2". Also should I have a grid or are the vertical bars enough, t have been leaning towards none or very few horizontal bars. Thanks for the input.

 

[gwstang]

Ohhhhhhh... It's a rock screen. I didn't think they had grizzly bears in Maine. :confused3:

Yeah, being from the deep south, I figured it had to be a device to "watch grizzly bears" from. Kind of like that bear guy that would get in that bear proof cage in the wild and let them have at it. I think he got killed eventually.

 

[Citydude]

Is the front the side you will be dumping material into the screen? I'm assuming you'll be dumping material from the tall side?

 

[Leejohn]

How big of rock are you wanting to end up with?

 

[Apsterbobed]

Yeah, being from the deep south, I figured it had to be a device to "watch grizzly bears" from. Kind of like that bear guy that would get in that bear proof cage in the wild and let them have at it. I think he got killed eventually.

Hmm, now that sounds like more fun...it's not too late to turn it into a cage...

Is the front the side you will be dumping material into the screen? I'm assuming you'll be dumping material from the tall side?

Yes I will dump from the tall side that way there is less chance of a rock bouncing off the hood.

How big of rock are you wanting to end up with?

It's the rock that I don't want! I want the fines to use for different projects, road/trail surface, loom for the lawn/garden. Part of the reason I was thinking 2 screen sizes was that the rock that is <4" and >2" I could use for rip rap or dich liner. My sizes come from talking to a few earth workers, <2" and you want a shaker, 4" was a standard size that should screen easily (quickly). There are so many different designs out there I was curious what other people were using and recommended.

 

[Leejohn]

I have tried different screens and the only one that works good is the screens made for shakers. I just got done with a shaker and it sure works great and fast. Here are a few pictures.
You are doing a great job and I'm waiting to see this job to the end keep posting pictures.