3 legged stool/stand STURDY design direction?

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I am building this stool/stand for around my outside BBQ and  Dutch Oven cooking area. It will have heavy dutch ovens full of hot beans and chili  placed on it and stirred, and other cooking stuff like a propane burner. Everything is  hot and greasy so it needs to be sturdy.  i.e Texan: hell for stout... that will do the trick.  It will set sometimes in sand, or a smooth concrete patio area  or even an irregular brick patio. Dimensions:  17" flat farm disc on top  1/4" thick                    Legs are 16" long 1" heavy wall pipeI precut the legs at a small angle and have tipped the legs out 1" per foot and got it tacked to see how it stands. So far, it is amazingly sturdy and stable.  I plan to butt weld the legs on and then?... >  there we are to the head scratchin'  I am open to experience and thoughts on stabilty, durability and sturdy so no one ever gets burned by hot food as  this thing tips over or having a leg cave in.Thanks in advance for the good direction.  ps: Yes, I am planning on placing a few horseshoes on it... why do U ask Attached ImagesLast edited by PapaLion; 10-03-2010 at 12:51 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Just an opinion but while the traditional three legs are nice for setting on concrete that is less than 100% smooth, a three legged foot print is really pretty small. Not real stable, in my opinion, for heavy things on top. Harder to work with initially, four legs are far better for table applications ???"The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:three is more stable than 4, might want a little more toe-out. ive worked on some government equipment that had to be extremely stable and it sat on three legged mounts.
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionps: Yes, I am planning on placing a few horseshoes on it...
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyJust an opinion but while the traditional three legs are nice for setting on concrete that is less than 100% smooth, a three legged foot print is really pretty small. Not real stable, in my opinion, for heavy things on top. Harder to work with initially, four legs are far better for table applications ???
Reply:Originally Posted by Sandy. . . a three legged foot print is really pretty small. Not real stable, in my opinion, for heavy things on top.
Reply:pics of examples. It is the stability on uneven surfaces that attracts me to 3 legs... a hoop? or  bar between the legs to prevent splaying maybe?   I dunno? NO shoes on the bottom, they go elsewhere and there will be a Duane "AHhHa" when he sees them. Attached ImagesLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:I'd add: 1/4" plate feet below, and gussets where the legs meet the top.  It wouldn't hurt to connect the legs in the same fashion you see in your examples, either.The stronger the better.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by Jack OlsenI'd add: 1/4" plate feet below, and gussets where the legs meet the top.  It wouldn't hurt to connect the legs in the same fashion you see in your examples, either.The stronger the better.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadthree is more stable than 4, might want a little more toe-out. ive worked on some government equipment that had to be extremely stable and it sat on three legged mounts.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55All our milking stools were three legged.  But then, I weighed almost 100# less back then.   Some were single legged but I wouldn't recommend that here.
Reply:Originally Posted by weldbeadthe plate will reduce stability..you'll never get it exactly "flat" to the uneven surface below, so it will point load and rock. for utmost stability, three sharp points works best
Reply:The legs are tacked on now, change is still easy.  To spread the legs out a bit to a larger radius could be done.  Right now they finish with the legs the same radius of the top.  EZ to take them off recut the angle a bit deeper and re attach. It would resemble  example 2 the taller stool above.   I think the gusset idea is excellent, I will do that.  I'm figuring to have the local shop roll me a hoop of solid round stock with a radius so it rides/sits about 2/3 down the leg. I grew up in town, but loved dairies and worked some as a feeder, milker, hot cow checker. Later, I milked the ASU college string for a year 2 AM to 6 AM. Then IF I wasn't running late, I took a shower before going to class... if not, I was none too welcome at first hour morning Chem class.  No stool 1 or 3 legged all machines for 75 cows, which would be of course 300 teets..Last edited by PapaLion; 10-04-2010 at 06:41 AM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:i buiult this three legger for sheet metal work.. it is where is rest my shot bags, small anvils(oneopictured) and tap sheet metal ..last place you/d tolerate a wobble..the top plate is around 10 " diam and the three legs are  20" apart..it aint wobblin or tippin regardles of the floor.. Attached Images
Reply:+1 on splay the legs out farther so that they are out past the diameter of the top.Although sharp points or small areas on the ends of the legs make it stable as far as rocking goes, those points will sink into soft ground or possible skid on a hard surface like concrete.Also, a +1 on adding the hoop to connect the legs together.To increase the stability even further, you can borrow an idea from the photographic/cinema tripods and light stands and increase the weight of the stool/table down low.  The movie/photo folks often do that by hanging or adding weights down low (sand bags or the 'fancy' versions are used a bunch).  By adding more weight down low, you lower and center the CG of the table/stool.  This way, something like 30 pounds of hot chili all the way on the top of the table/stool is not moving the CG waaaay up high.  So, splay the legs out and increase the weight down low (permanent or removable, your choice) will help to make your item more stable.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:splay the legs is the best..papalion  im not tryin to hijack but this foto shows how i know that plates on the bottom decrease stability.. this was my first work table..plates were so i could drag it in and out of the garage..no splay but lots of weight.. it wobbled on the blacktop because the plates wouldnt sit flat.. Attached Images
Reply:all of our pipe stands were three legged.  some of them hold hundreds of pounds of weight.  Several of our saw horse designs were three legged and they hold thousands of pounds.Last edited by Scott Young; 10-04-2010 at 04:21 PM.
Reply:All went well this morning... at first  pic#1 blue caps are where the first leg ends were.I splayed the legs another 1" out and it looks better and was more stable pic#1The welds seemed too easy to break loose? Then, on the new welds I applied a little pressure and the welds broke loose Ez again. The material of that old flat disc looks crystaline when it breaks, penetration is fine but no good weld. pic#2.  Welds were aok on the 1" pipe part, so the disc material is ??? hardened, old, an alloy who knows... pre heat it, different welding technique? either way I need dependable and that just isn't.. so I move on.   Legs are saved and cut to a nice angle now. I then went and BOUGHT pic #3   a brand new hunk 18+" square mild steel which will become the ~new~ top   and I had them roll me a hoop out of 9/16" solid rod while I was there.  pic#4  I'm working with my plasma cutter now to cut a nice circle, might be a day or two till I see some light   I shall returnweldbead: that is a very manly sheet metal workin' stool ya got there Attached ImagesLast edited by PapaLion; 10-04-2010 at 04:56 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Most of the discs I've seen are hardened back about three inches from the edge. Any thing I build with discs I always use 7018 and stay away from the edge and have had no problems. I hope this helps some what.
Reply:Bret, you only need about a 5-7* angle to stabilize the plate.  If you wanted to make it "adjustable", weld a 1/2" nut to the bottom of the legs, then weld a 1/2" bolt to a flat piece of angle about 1"x1" square.  Place stool/stand on soft ground, rotate high foot until it's stable.  On hard surface like concrete, just take the feet off.As far as the plasma cutter goes, bring your torch nozzle cover over, we'll make a circle cutting guide for ya.MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:A generous offer Mark, I know you have put a lot of effort into designing and making the first models of your hole cutter.  I will give u a call on that.  Mine is the small Lincoln, which is discontinued now? 86 degrees today  EIGHTY SIX DEGREES, our ~ good times~ have begun,. enjoyLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:86F in Yuma?Time to break out the sweaters, eh?      But is it a -dry- heat?      disclaimer:  yeah, I've been in Yuma  when it was a 'dry heat'.  Something like 112F.  In the shade.  It sure was a "dry  heat" alright!    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:When it gets to about 55*, we break out the parka's.  It will chill the blood out of your bones.  The cold is colder, due to lack of humidity also................ so it's also a "dry cold".MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Yup, I did wear a shirt over the T this morning for an hour, plain ol' nippy out thereOk, progress  I learned this technique of cutting a circle from a short kid with big round ears last time I was at Disneyland... came out within 1/8" to center and grinding worked that out.  Tacked the legs on with a bit wider stance and remembered to slip the hoop over before I tacked the last leg on  a breeze in nice weather.I always complain in September "I'm outa here, ya gotta be crazy to live here etc ad nauseum", it's like an April snow storm, if u get that..  Then you get a mid eighties day with a 5 knot breeze and all the world is spinning in a greased groove.Tomorrow gussets, and heavier welding and stability hoops Mouseketeers.enjoy, Attached ImagesLincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Three legs has always been enough.Originally Posted by PapaLionYup, I did wear a shirt over the T this morning for an hour, plain ol' nippy out thereOk, progress  I learned this technique of cutting a circle from a short kid with big round ears last time I was at Disneyland... came out within 1/8" to center and grinding worked that out.  Tacked the legs on with a bit wider stance and remembered to slip the hoop over before I tacked the last leg on  a breeze in nice weather.I always complain in September "I'm outa here, ya gotta be crazy to live here etc ad nauseum", it's like an April snow storm, if u get that..  Then you get a mid eighties day with a 5 knot breeze and all the world is spinning in a greased groove.Tomorrow gussets, and heavier welding and stability hoops Mouseketeers.enjoy,
Reply:It does  look like it needs a cushion doesn't it?   I could get into making a few of these... maybe even with backs? We could sell it as lawn furniture with a lifetime gurantee  This thing is going to be around for awhile.  One thing I like about fabrication is the end product will survive for quite awhile. So it's important to add horseshoes whenever U can.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Welded with my MIG 215 and gas ~steelmix~   "D" heat,  280 speed,  and .035  wire.  I'm trying to get a smaller bead but it loves to pile it on?  Slow the wire speed down and the power doesn't seem right. It's 3/16" material.   I'm  practicing too and will hopefully find a nice balance.  Meanwhile, the position 1 welds look adequate to me but my verticals could sure use some improvement.   It is very stable, horseshoes still to add in part 2. This ends part 1 of the build, Part 2 will be a seperate thread, hopefully next week.  Im off to Scripps/LaJolla for a day or two to annoy the Drs. and wink at the nurses.  enjoy, Attached ImagesLast edited by PapaLion; 10-06-2010 at 03:56 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by PapaLionWelded with my MIG 215 and gas ~steelmix~   "D" heat,  280 speed,  and .035  wire.  I'm trying to get a smaller bead but it loves to pile it on?  Slow the wire speed down and the power doesn't seem right. It's 3/16" material.   I'm  practicing too and will hopefully find a nice balance.  Meanwhile, the position 1 welds look adequate to me but my verticals could sure use some improvement.   It is very stable, horseshoes still to add in part 2. This ends part 1 of the build, Part 2 will be a seperate thread, hopefully next week.  Im off to Scripps/LaJolla for a day or two to annoy the Drs. and wink at the nurses.  enjoy,