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3rd July 2014, 06:34 PM #1Golden Member
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Needing some legs for a large timber desk
Hi Metalworkers,
I'm currently building a large timber desk and thinking legs similar to this might suit. Does anyone know where I could get something like this made up? Also, would you recommend 10mm thick aluminium or steel would be better suited?
modena-wood-solid-dining-table-1.jpg
I'm based in Melbourne (on the Mornington Peninsula but happy to travel a bit for this).
Any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated.
Cheers,
Af.___________________________________________________________
"The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."
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3rd July 2014 06:34 PM # ADSGoogle Adsense Advertisement
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3rd July 2014, 07:50 PM #2
Hi Af,
Seeing you are down that way you could call into Action Aluminium and see if any of their stock extrusions would meet your needs.
They are in Greens Road Dandenong, see Action Aluminium
As far as your design goes, it might need some bracing or something lengthwise to stop it from racking.
Ray
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3rd July 2014, 08:03 PM #3Golden Member
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Thanks Ray. I'll give them a call tomorrow.
Thinking that the legs will run a full square/rectangle so they will also brace the top itself.
Cheers,
Af.___________________________________________________________
"The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."
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4th July 2014, 12:16 AM #4
You state 10mm for thickness but what width?
If you can't find anyone else closer, I can do what you require in steel or alumimuin.Cheers
DJ
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5th July 2014, 01:07 PM #5Senior Member
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!0mm steel with a suitable width, would do it and you can bend it without it fracturing or loosing strength.
With aluminum, I just don't think 10mm would do it. I work a little bit with 6mm aluminium and 6mm steel and it doesn't come anywhere close to steel for rigidity or strength.
It also fractures very easily when making bends, even with carefully applied heat so it might be better to cut and weld
the bends at the base. With steel those bends would be considerably easier. Steel of course will be much heavier and make it
more difficult to move around, if there was a need.
As someone mentioned, you might have trouble with flexing or wobble but the could depend on the use of the desk. How much weight will be placed on it. If it was placed against a wall or fixed to a wall it might not be a problem at all.
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5th July 2014, 09:52 PM #6
If you are using solid timber remember to allow for movement with slotted holes etc.
H.Jimcracks for the rich and/or wealthy. (aka GKB '88)
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5th July 2014, 11:21 PM #7Golden Member
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Thanks for the offer Acco. Will see how I go and might call on you if I can't find any other options nearby.
Thanks Rocket. The top is three pieces of large slabbed timber, 40mm thick and around 2m long too so quite heavy. I can easily brace it against the wall so reduce any wobble, but will wait to see how it turns out before doing something like that.
Yep, will absolutely be doing this. I've used self-made buttons before to affix tabletops to their bases and they've worked very well. Am thinking something similar with this setup or making slotted holes like you suggest in the legs to allow for that movement.
Didn't get a chance to shop around last week but will try this week. Will post my results for anyone else you might be interested (and of course some pics as I progress the project).
Cheers,
Af.___________________________________________________________
"The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."
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6th July 2014, 05:23 PM #8Senior Member
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=Afro Boy;1788307
Thanks Rocket. The top is three pieces of large slabbed timber, 40mm thick and around 2m long too so quite heavy. I can easily brace it against the wall so reduce any wobble, but will wait to see how it turns out before doing something like that.
Af.
I'm wondering if the legs made from flat steel would really be adequate. I guess it will depend on how wide the bench will be.
I guess you want the legs like that for the 'look', But I fear that they will flex. Even it was say, 120mm x 10mm I think flexing
would still be a problem.
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6th July 2014, 05:27 PM #9Philomath in training
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I'm more worried about the weight - a metre of 10x100mm steel bar is 7.8kg...
Michael
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6th July 2014, 05:58 PM #10
What about aluminium scaffold/painters extrusion? Supposed to handle 245kg load on 2.6m length
Weld up two squares and run a length on edge down the middle to join the two squares.
I have a feeling I've seen right angle joining pieces for that sort of extrusion, but can't remember where I saw them.. If you could find those, then you'd just about avoid welding.
Ray
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6th July 2014, 07:04 PM #11Product designer retired
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My coffee table, same design.
Many years ago when I could afford an oxy set, I made a coffee table of exactly this design. My table is only 1500 mm long x 500 mm wide and stands 500 mm high.
The legs are made of 50 x 6 ms heated and bent at the floor in a tight radius. Plates were welded to the tops of the legs for attachment to the 25 mm veneered top edge thickened to 30 mm.
It is extremely stable with no flex any where. The legs after fabrication were chrome plated for the look and to prevent rust.
I reckon 100 mm x 10 mm would be more than adequate, perhaps a bit over kill, still, it's the look you are after.
I don't have enough light right now to take a snap but could tomorrow if you like.
Ken
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6th July 2014, 07:55 PM #12Golden Member
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Thanks again for all the advice folks. I'm finding it really useful. Much appreciated.
That's great to hear Ken, re. lack of flex. I haven't settled on the specific dimensions of the legs yet but will get a better idea once the top is glued up. Would love to see a pic of your table.
Cheers,
Af.___________________________________________________________
"The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."
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6th July 2014, 10:53 PM #13
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4th August 2014, 09:19 PM #14Golden Member
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Hi folks,
Thanks everyone for the advice and thoughts. Finally got around to cutting the top to size and ordering the steel legs.
Will post some pics next week once they're arrived and I've had a chance to fit them.
Cheers,
Af.___________________________________________________________
"The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."
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12th August 2014, 05:22 PM #15Golden Member
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Picking up the legs tomorrow and they'll be raw steel, not coated or anything.
The guys told me they'll have a bit of a black muck on them which I can easily wipe off with some mineral spirits. I'm wondering what I should coat the legs in to keep them from rusting? I prefer a natural grey/silver colour and a matt finish. Is there a varnish or simple treatment I can give it myself?
Cheers,
Af.___________________________________________________________
"The things I make may be for others, but how I make them is for me."
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