Thread: Welding/Brazing Storage cage in Carpark questions

Hello,

Im just after some advise in regards to installing a security/storage cage in an appartment carpark for myself, at the back of two car spaces, about 1.5m in depth, 3m wide and approx 2m high. My neighbour has the exact size cage I want, so I am looking at getting an identical one.

I have attached a diagram of what I want (http://i54.tinypic.com/fwj9j7.png) . I already have approval from strata to build the cage.

I am looking at getting 50mm x 50mm x 1.8mm (which is the same dimensions of the neighbours cage, painted shs steel with 50mmx50mmx3mm mesh covering it. I would share a common cage wall with the neighbour, so I only need to install the front of the cage and one side.

There is no power points available anywhere near where I would like the storage cage.

I have been reading a lot about welding and brazing, and seem to have deduced that the only option for welding I have would be to hire an arc welder with a generator, which is a reasonable price, but based on reading about people trying to weld 1.8mm steel, it seems like this is not a easy job to learn and build the above in a close time frame. I would like to do a welding course, but the course I would like to do is not until late august, and I want the cage installed asap. I am going to do the course regardless as I think it will be useful in the future. So for now, I don't think myself doing the welding is an option for now. I have requested some quotes from welders to have the work done, and are waiting for someone to give me a price. I would imagine someone who knows what they're are doing could weld the cage in half a day or so? Is that a reasonable assumption assuming I supply all the steel pre-cut etc. Anyone know any rough guideline I could expect to pay for that work?

Another option I have been reading about is brazing the steel together with MMAP torch such as Bernzomatic MAPP Gas Torch Kit. #TS8000ZKC. Most of the information I could find on brazing steel was about people brazing steel bike frames, and other smaller projects, is brazing an option for connecting the steel frame together? Reason being is that I don't need a power point available, and I would feel more comfortable doing this (if it is a viable option) as it seems more like soldering then welding, which I don't think would be that hard to work out. I am guessing this is not possible because searches for 'mmap brazing shs steel' doesnt return anything useful..

Also, Is there a big disadvantage of using painted steel over galvinized steel for the frame?
I am also thinking about using RHS 50mmx20mmx2mm steel, as it is significantly cheaper, could there be any disadvantage of doing this instead of using 50x50 SHS (aside from appearance)?

Any tips and ideas will be appreciated..