Soccer Goals

admin

I have been asked (by church group) to build two soccer goals using 2 x 2 x 3/16 square tubing. The goals will be 8' tall by 20' wide (see sketchup drawing). They have come up with the measurements based on the league they will play in and the materials are based on the funds they have raised. My concern is the 20' span and how much will it sag in the middle. I have some extra 1.5 x 1.5 x 1/4" angle I could reinforce the tubing with making the span, but don't know if that will cause more harm then good. Just asking for any suggestions.ThanksMillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:I don't recall the width and I doubt it was the 20' you have to deal with but I made goals for the kids league many, many moons ago out of pipe and standard fittings.  Unions in the appropriate places allowed them to be broken down easily for transport/storage.With the 2x2 square tubing, I would think putting a pre-stress arch would address your concern.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Just be aware that the back of the goal must be anchor to the ground.Near me, a young kid died when the goal fall on him breaking his neck.You probably knew this but just a reminder.Jeff
Reply:Kids WILL hang on the cross bar, even when told not to, and I would think that would bend the 2x2x3/16.
Reply:200-pound center load on that beam with simply supported end conditions will deflect about 2.6".
Reply:Well to be regulation the top bar needs to be straight and not curved up or bowed down so I would support the 20' piece on each end and see how much it sags (net attached ?), pre-arch it (I predict 1/4" max.) to hang straight when built and kick the kid(s) in the seat of the pants - or soccer shorts as it may be - if anyone hangs from it.Last edited by duaneb55; 07-18-2014 at 04:00 PM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Even without the weight of the net that material will sag over 3/4 inches just by it's own weight.  4 x 2 x 1/8 would sag under 1/4 inch from it's own weight, which by the way is only about 9 pounds heavier.  I would consider changing to 4 x 2, it shouldn't cost much more than the heavier wall 2 x 2.
Reply:A bit more than I thought but either way I'd pre-arch and build 'em.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions.I will post pics when this project is finished.MillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:You could always go out to a soccer field and get a close-up inspection to see how the "professional" goals are crafted and erected exactly.  Look at the material thickness on which those goal posts things were made.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:Originally Posted by ostie01Just be aware that the back of the goal must be anchor to the ground.Near me, a young kid died when the goal fall on him breaking his neck.You probably knew this but just a reminder.Jeff
Reply:We have built a lot of them for several leagues and schools.  Some of the regulations state they need to have a 4 inch face on them, we used 4 inch 14 or 16 ga red iron for 24 foot goals and it does fineMake everything out of the 4 inch except for the side angle supports, we used 1.5 for it.  Works perfect.  Just make them deeper than they are tall Sent from iPad Nbmetalworx.comLast edited by nbmetalworx; 07-21-2014 at 10:11 PM.
Reply:Sent from iPad Nbmetalworx.com
Reply:Originally Posted by nbmetalworxWe have built a lot of them for several leagues and schools.  Some of the regulations state they need to have a 4 inch face on them, we used 4 inch 14 or 16 ga red iron for 24 foot goals and it does fineMake everything out of the 4 inch except for the side angle supports, we used 1.5 for it.  Works perfect.  Just make them deeper than they are tall Sent from iPad Nbmetalworx.com
Reply:Works good for project like this, we wipe it down real good with thinner or degreaser to paint and then don't have to prime The red / ( I may be wrong but I believe it comes in coils and they run thru dies/ brakes to form whatever shape they want).  the edges are square instead of rounded like regular steel from a millI noticed you are in Baton Rouge. We're only about 1.5 to 2 hours from uSent from iPad Nbmetalworx.comLast edited by nbmetalworx; 07-22-2014 at 12:29 AM.
Reply:I don't know about the local regulations over there but here in Spain, where soccer is king, I recall most goals to be made of round tubing/pipe. At least all the pieces against a player might collide. Maybe you can suggest them to allow you to change the material...Mikel
Reply:Originally Posted by nbmetalworxWorks good for project like this, we wipe it down real good with thinner or degreaser to paint and then don't have to prime The red / ( I may be wrong but I believe it comes in coils and they run thru dies/ brakes to form whatever shape they want).  the edges are square instead of rounded like regular steel from a millI noticed you are in Baton Rouge. We're only about 1.5 to 2 hours from uSent from iPad Nbmetalworx.com
Reply:Originally Posted by Mikel_24I don't know about the local regulations over there but here in Spain, where soccer is king, I recall most goals to be made of round tubing/pipe. At least all the pieces against a player might collide. Maybe you can suggest them to allow you to change the material...Mikel
Reply:Well, I finished this project and it turned out to be a little more involved than first thought.I had planned on building 2 goals with new material. Well, things changed.Good news is I found someone that donated 4 soccer goals to the church. They were 6' x 18'.Bad news is they wanted them to be 7' x 21'. Considering these goals were freebies they were in decent shape, but having to cut them up I realized they had some rust and twisted metal issues.They were constructed of 2x2x 11ga tubing and 2x3x 11ga tubing.I did the best I could considering I had time limits and I do have to work for a living.Not proud of my welds, but doing this by my lonesome was a chore to say the least.Took me two Saturdays and a week of evenings.Anyway, thanks again for the suggestions.First picture of goals cut up ready for cleaning and refab. (what a mess!)Some welding pics. I welding a 1/4 inch angle tab on each end of the center piece to help me during reassembly.Helped with overall strength too. Best I could do with time / ability. 2"x3"x 3/16 angle connected to end pieces (rear of goals)Two of the 4 goals. They may appear to be different heights but they are the same.Someone else is repainting them.Last edited by Kaos; 08-31-2014 at 11:39 PM.MillerMatic 212, Lincoln Precision TIG 225, Hypertherm 45XP
Reply:Looks good enough for soccer goals.It looks like you put the width extension in the middle.  For what it's worth, It is better to add the splice on one side than in the center.  The highest stress occurs in the center of a beam so having a seam toward one end is stronger than having one toward the center.
Reply:looking at the pile of parts from the old goals ,I don't think he had any choice  about where to put the splice. Any way great job and it was free ,
Reply:At least it only cost you some little work. The weld looks good. You did great!PlasmaCam CNC cutterLathe and Band SawClamps