The baseball/softball helper

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Here is a little idea that I stole.  I found a bunch of slotted steel chunked out back of a building renovation and decided to put it to better use than taking up space in a landfill.  It's all from the same stuff, so no extra parts needed.  It holds two milkcrates full of baseballs and keeps you from getting a backache if you a pitching BP for hours on end. Attached ImagesLast edited by smithboy; 02-19-2006 at 03:46 PM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Simple and functional.  Nice.Here in the Great White NorthMosquitoes can't fly at 40 below
Reply:Thanks.  I try to use the K.I.S.S. approach as often as is possible.  I coach baseball and have seen these little items in catalogues for upwards of $60 before shipping.  I made several at once, painted them up, and gave them to the teams that my kids play on.  The one in the pictures is the one I kept for home.  You can't quite see it, but I have a batting cage out at the building in the background of one of the pictures.  It really saves a bunch of bending over which add up over the course of a day's practice.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:SuperStrut is the name of the stuff. I have oodles of scraps here behind the shop. Its some really handy stuff.Nice work, smithboy."I need this parade like I need a hole in the head"~John F.Kennedy
Reply:smithboy, would you give dimmensions on your creation?I would like to build some for our little league.MILLER ELITE WELDING HELMET 29 ROADSTERMM 251Lincoln Precision Tig 225Weldtech Cooler
Reply:Sure thing.  I will get the measurements tonight and post.Superstrut!  Aptly named, I'd say.Last edited by smithboy; 02-20-2006 at 01:12 PM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:If youre interested, they make a plethora of hangers , mounts & attachments for the stuff. as seen here Its some amazing stuff."I need this parade like I need a hole in the head"~John F.Kennedy
Reply:around here its called sign post material  ...zap!
Reply:its called "uni-strut" up here
Reply:Where I get the stuff, it's called junk...I have never bought a single piece of it, but I am keeping my eye out for more for free.  Where I work, this stuff is used as breaker panel supports in electrical closets and support stuff above suspended ceilings and behind walls.  Everytime a department re-decorates, our dumpsters fill up with the stuff...and, yes I am a dumpster diver.  I have crawled into dumpsters in a 3-piece suit to get the really good stuff.As far as the measurements are concerned, they are pretty simple...but completely by accident.The main post is 3 1/2 feet tall.  Each of the 4 supports at the bottom are 11 inches...'cause the shortest two pieces I started out with was that length...The two hooks at the top are 3 inches of "superstrut" each, opening turned upward and welded to opposite sides.  Grind off any surface treatments at the area of the upcoming welds (to rid yourself of galvanizing or paint), liberally apply .035 ER70S6 with C25 shielding gas (or some reasonable substitute) and spraypaint black (or plaid if you have it).  If you are careful, this thing could easily be built with a single piece 8' long.  I used my trusty skill saw and a 2 dollar metal cutting blade for the precision cuts and two welding triangles (magnets) to keep the legs at right angles from each other and from the main post.  Tack...remove magnets...weld.  Total cost...gas+wire.  As Zapster says, you can find this stuff on highways in lots of places...just dont get caught harvesting it. All total this thing can be cut and welded in about 15-20 minutes.  One thing to consider is the coach's height.  I am 5'10" and while standing straight up, my hand just reaches the bottom of the milk crate when it's on the stand.  If the coach is 4'3" or 6'9" there is probably some room for adjustment.  As long as the supports are as wide as the milk crate, it wont tip over even with only a single crate of balls on the hook (I dont think).Last edited by smithboy; 02-20-2006 at 10:48 PM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:If the coach is 4'3" or 6'9" , his finger tips will be the same distance from the floor.A golf pro proved that to me, when building custom clubs.MILLER ELITE WELDING HELMET 29 ROADSTERMM 251Lincoln Precision Tig 225Weldtech Cooler
Reply:just a quiky tip for anyone looking for some unistrut check with any local electricians or sign companies most will have the odd dropoff or two
Reply:cool ,,and what would we do without milk crate's
Reply:pay a little less for milk   .I would remove the name on the side also. You never know when Johnnys dad will get upset at you and call the police saying you have stolen propertyHeadlines read,sCoach Arrested For Stolen Milk Crate
Reply:For the height issue make it adjustable all u need is square tubing and just get two sizes and slip them inside one another. Then drill holes and slip your bolts and nuts in.That way someone 4' 9" and someone 6' 4" could use it. The only down side is the weight factor...Being that it is increased when u add more metal.   I am currently working as i pipefitter in Dayton, OH and out in the dumpster out back there is tons of that crap.. I sometimes on my way down i pick some up. Very versitile!
Reply:public notice to the milk company...I didn't take it.  It was in my house when I moved in, 12 years ago.  If you need it, come and get it.  Of course, there will be a per-day storage fee that we will have to talk about.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.