easy way to cut wide flange beam?

[MF RED in MT]

That was not meant as a comment on your welding skills, just mine.

I believe your post mentioned a 1 ton chain fall. For a few hundred pounds on a track supported every couple of feet, many concerns go away. My rolling bridge crane uses wide beams with HF trolleys and it works extremely well. When I was designing it, I figured I would use it once a month. But I find that I use it constantly.

You might consider a lube like boelube or even paraffin. Both are available as solids so you could run a line of lube before you start cutting. I use paraffin on my horizontal band saw when cutting thin wall tubings and it works reasonably well. It certainly makes a big difference. There is no reason not to help the blade out if it is easy and not messy.

Ken

Sorry, I only meant that I trust my welds, . The weight of a trolley beam is one reason I plan on cutting it into tee shapes, to cut the weight in two. I have and do use bees wax a lot to help keep things cool, :thumbsup:. I believe the complete setup is only going to add about 275 lbs. spanning accross atleast 11 trusses. If it works out, I will install another one in my main garage with the remaining tee sections. Thanks for the good ideas, KC

 

[MF RED in MT]

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts and ideas, I do not plan on responding to anymore, just getting tired and seems I am not getting any of my projects done. This one, if it gets done will be a summertime project, :thumbsup:. Hope I did not offend anyone with this thread, . KC

 

[rjmack]

Now looking back, kind of wished I did not even post about this, .

sometimes it is easier to build first, ask questions later. :laughing:

 

[MF RED in MT]

sometimes it is easier to build first, ask questions later. :laughing:

Amen........

 

[RickB]

Now looking back, kind of wished I did not even post about this, :confused2:.

That is likely to happen when the responses are less than favorable.

 

[retiredIW]

That is likely to happen when the responses are less than favorable.

all i got to say if it not food grade stainless steel the health department will shut you down LOL

 

[mroldstyle]

sometimes it is easier to build first, ask questions later. :laughing:

X2. I think it will work fine for what your using it for. More work than I would go through, but what concern is that to any of us. Send a pic when (if) you get it done. :thumbsup:

 

[rmully]

t if i didn't want to spend the $200+ to buy the beam i'd sell a kidney to raise the money before i split the beam pieces into tees and welded them together and tried to hang them from the trusses in the hopes of having a straight trolley.

:laughing: :laughing:

 

[5030]

I know you're trying to save a buck; but how do you intend to hang the tee since there won't be a flange to connect to the trusses, which is what I'm guessing you have in mind.

By the way, the roof trusses may or may not be able to handle the load you are planning on lifting and moving.

Get an uncut beam and do it right. Be safe.

For once, I actually agree with ya.....

I can't believe any HF motor would last long enough to make multiple cuts on an I-beam. (as an aside)......:laughing:

Besides, multiple welds will warp the beam sections, that's unavoidable.

 

[crazyal]

I've got an I-beam that supports the second floor of my garage. I've often thought about getting a trolley to hang off of it so I can do what you're talking about but just haven't gotten around to it. It sounds like this is not something you're going to be using all the time.

If it was me and I had the free time I would do it as you planned. In my younger years when I had little money I would a couple of rafters to remove and install engines. I never really trusted it so I made two posts (one for each side of the car) to support the cross beam sitting on top of the rafters. I would say if there's any concerns about the weight being too much you can always put down a couple of cement pads (I thought I read where it was a gravel floor) and get a couple of 4x4 that I could put under the track to help support it in the middle. When not in use you can put the posts in the corner.