Handles on Tread Plate

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Hey guys,I am building a large (6'lx4'hx2'w) rolling cabinet for a guy and it is covered with 14 gauge steel tread plate. Like an armored truck!It has 2 large doors across the front that slide in from each end and meet in the middle. They are each 38" wide by 40" tall, so pretty big and heavy. I am going to weld large handes in the middle to make it easier to slide them out and lift. I'm also welding some large push bars across the ends of the cabinet.Any good tips I need to know before I weld them? I know to use tacks and then short welds to minimize the heat and warping. I just do not want to ruin the doors by making them curl. Also, would you recommend grinding the diamonds down to flat where the push bar base (2"x2") goes or just use the gap underneath to get more penetration? Again, I want it secure without burning through.I will post some pictures soon. Thank you in advance for any advice.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Pictures:Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Grind the area flat and don't go nuts with the heat..You only need to hold the handles on..They will not be used for moving it around so.........................zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Hey Zap.Thanks, but the smaller handles on the doors will be used to pull and lift, about 25 pounds. The push bars are bigger and WILL be used to move it around. I know you would TIG, and I could but not as proficient as you. Would you think MIG is fine for this? .030 wire.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:drill and screws? or rivet.
Reply:I'd like to see the handles in question...That may let us come up with another way.............zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:What I think I would do, depending on the handle type, is drill a hole or two from the back side, and plug weld it on. It will keep heat to a in, and keep a clean seem-less look on the front.But, it depends on what kind of handle used.
Reply:Here are the 2 handles - the 6" goes on the front of each door and the 17" bar goes on each end.Thanks for any suggestions or advice. I do not want to screw up these sliding doors.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:On the handle, I would weld the little holes full onto the cart. Then grind it flush. It would look clean!
Reply:I would grind a few diamonds off where the handles are going and drill and tap where the handles go and use flathead stainless allens..We don't need to weld EVERYTHING.........zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:I would make handles out of round stock, drill holes of same diameter and weld backside only. Do the same on towel bar type , use round to round instead of the flat and weld backside .
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Of course, there's prolly boxes of them lying around Monarch.
Reply:Update: this morning I ground the diamonds under the towel bars and welded them on with no problem. I wish the welds looked better but a little cleanup and they will be fine. Zap - I like the idea of drilling and tapping for the small handles but don't think 14 gauge will hold. Can you clarify?Thanks everyone for your help. Any more ideas are welcome.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Drill and tap 1/4-28 and after you install the screws add a thin jam nut on the backside...Jam nuts only need to be 1/8" thick.......zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:The sliding door tracks are pretty tight and getting past the end frame would not work, so I don't need to add another 1/8". What about just plug welding them through the bolt holes? Think that will be strong enough?Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Today's update: This morning I plug welded one of the small handles onto the edge of one door through both bolt holes. I ground the diamonds where it touched. Seems very secure and just a neat button showing. The edge handle will be used to pull the door out, then another handle will be off-set from the center on the large front to lift and carry the door once it is out. I'm thinking I will be able to do the front handles just like the edge, grind flat, then plug weld through the bolt holes. The whole cabinet is going to be powder coated, so I hope any blemishes will be covered. He wants an outside locking box (8"x10"x1.5") with a drop down cover, sort of like a disconnect box. Wish I had a heavy duty brake to bend the sides instead of welding the sides. I built a frame using 1.5" angle this morning and will work on the cover tomorrow.Again, thank you for all your help. Any ideas are welcome! I'll post some more pictures soon.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Latest pictures of this project.I finished my part and it has been powder-coated. He still has to add the plywood shelves and it will be complete.I thought it turned out pretty good. Powder coating makes it look a lot better!!He wanted a lock box on the end for the keys to each display case that will be inside on the shelves.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:OK - here are the final pictures with the display cases installed. Let me know what you think. This is the largest welding project I have done.Last edited by wb4rt; 06-06-2014 at 09:14 AM.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:He worked a deal with them since he is friends with that company. They quoted me $350, but I think he paid a lot less. They did an awesome job on the powder coating.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Burt that's a great looking job.  Did he order the shelves and slides? Richey
Reply:Originally Posted by richeyBurt that's a great looking job.  Did he order the shelves and slides? Richey
Reply:Nice!GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:The guy cut plywood and made shelves to fit in the angle iron. Then he used heavy duty drawer slides to attach to his display cases. The cases have clear tops that open up. The little lock box on the end has cup hooks to hold the keys for the display cases. So one key opens the door locks and box lock. Pretty neat. And the cabinet is heavy enough he can open all the drawers at once.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:At the Blades 2014 show in Atlanta this week-end, he won the Best in Show and President's Award, plus 2 other awards for his display. Of course it was really his knives that they judged, but since he won Best Display, I'll take a little credit!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:That counts. Display is part of presentation. Congrats! Sent from my SM-G900V using TapatalkGravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.