Recycled Angle Iron

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Got an idea for a couple little projects in the near future and I'm going to need a little angle for them.  When the time comes I could just run down to TSC or Home Depot and get some 4' lengths of what I need but then I like to recycle and use what I have whenever possible.Everybody has seen these things at one time or another and quite often folks just toss them to the curb to be picked up with the trash so they're not that hard to come by.  I had a couple overhead in the poolhouse just waiting to be put to use so maybe this idea will give someone else the source for just what they need in the line of light angle for one of their projects.Post #1 photos 1-51) Intact adjustable angle iron bedframe.2) Head of 'pivot' rivet holding side rail to cross angle.3) Rivet head ground off.4) Remaining portion of rivet driven out.5) Repeat for all remaining rivets (foot support and cross angle shown).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:Post #2Photos 6-106) Foot rivets have to be driven out by supporting piece on pipe or socket with rivet head centered inside.7) Headboard angle rivets had to be removed from both sides.8) Inside rivet removed from head side.9) All the pieces ready for use.10) The only scrap.The result was 11' of 1-1/4" x 1/8" and just over 9" of 1" x 1/8" angle pluse 'accessories' for about 15 minutes of work and a few pennies of electricity for the grinder.Angle frame bed springs can be used as well if all those spring anchor holes aren't a problem.Last edited by duaneb55; 10-20-2008 at 12:02 AM.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:Duane you are soooo right about the old bed rails being recycled. I have three welding carts (one plasma actually) and a small pull behind the riding mower trailer, and the latest is the hot water tank BBQ grill in this forum. Man I like some used bed rails! Oh and I clean them up just the way you are demonstrating.Can't wait to see your project posts.... I'm all ways looking for a good idea.Miller Thunderbolt 225Millermatic 130 XPLincoln HD 100 Forney C-5bt Arc welderPlasma Cutter Gianteach Cut40ACent Machinery Bandsaw Cent Machinery 16Speed Drill PressChicago Electric 130amp tig/90 ArcHobart 190 Mig spoolgun ready
Reply:know i wonder how many people have thought about that.  pretty slick thinking.. and you are right, you see those by the trash pile all of the time. i'll be looking for some. can't beat free. sometime or another they will come in handy.
Reply:Just remember that they are Spring Steel and will ruin a drill bit in a secondGood fer weldin' not so good for Boltin'Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:i built my tig welding cart out of some, works fine.  ive drilled it before, i just heat it and let it slow cool, normally works.
Reply:Good stuff to recycle.  Broccoli clued me in on the fact that they're spring steel.  Had no idea.I wonder if you could hit the rivet heads with a torch, let 'em get a little soft, and whack 'em with a hammer to release them.  I do it all the time with the bolts that hold the sickle guards onto the swather head.Of course you're hearin' this from a guy that used to turn the welder up to the max, and plunge cut holes with 6011 rod."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Just remember that they are Spring Steel and will ruin a drill bit in a secondGood fer weldin' not so good for Boltin'
Reply:I just finished a project and i used bed frame rails, now i know why i need a new bandsaw blade lol. (pics tomorrow)Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:I always figured that someone else did this too, but I didn't realize how many; you did a nice job photo-documenting it. Nowadays, I sometimes use the mill on the rivet heads though. Makes getting those difficult ones in # 7 or 8 easier.Long ago I noticed the older frame material was generally more stocky than the newer, and some of the newer has recessed sides, that is, the sides aren't full thickness from top to bottom.BTW, chopsaws are ideal for cutting the hardened material.Last edited by Oldiron2; 10-20-2008 at 02:42 AM.Reason: Afterthoughts....
Reply:Been collecting them for a year now, didn't realize they were spring steel though.  Thanks for the tip! Originally Posted by Broccoli1Just remember that they are Spring Steel and will ruin a drill bit in a secondGood fer weldin' not so good for Boltin'
Reply:I thought about using bed frames for material, so thanks for the information. BTW, can you explain more about it being "spring steel"? Apparently it is harder steel, so would it be good for other uses - like making tools that need to be hard steel? I have made some parting tools and chiesels for my neighbor to use on his small wood lathe. But they wear quickly. Or can you suggest what kind of steel to use for tools?Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtI thought about using bed frames for material, so thanks for the information. BTW, can you explain more about it being "spring steel"? Apparently it is harder steel, so would it be good for other uses - like making tools that need to be hard steel? I have made some parting tools and chiesels for my neighbor to use on his small wood lathe. But they wear quickly. Or can you suggest what kind of steel to use for tools?
Reply:I called it Mystery Steel until I was enlightened by a Pumpkinhead over on HobartRuint a drill bit trying to make a hole  used the same trick of heating it up to anneal it for the next hole.Since then I have fooled around with Knife making and learnt me some stuff on the various steels, Heat Treating and such.I have no idea of the carbon content of the Bed Frames- so I can't say if it is good enough for a chisel/Tool but any Leaf Spring or Coil Spring off an Auto will work good.Old files- as mentioned- Keep an eye out at Yard salesMade a couple Knives from a 1946 Jeep Spring.A good tool to have around is the little Mapp Torch you can get at any Box Store- these will heat up the steel enough to anneal it for Cutting with a Band saw and for drilling.Chop saw, as mentioned will cut it no problem.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Back in the days before landfills we had a plain ol' city dump. When I would haul off my trash these things were laying around everywhere. Free steel, hooray! The very first project I built with bedframe steel broke. All I had at the house at the time was an AC cracker box and I used 6011 rod. I was just getting started welding and although I thought it cut kind of funny with a torch I didn't catch on until it broke. I bought a DC converter for my cracker box and changed to 7018 rod. I built several shelf frames and a couple of tables with bedframes and am still using them over 40 years later.
Reply:I found this definition on the web:"Spring steel is a low alloy, medium carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant bending or twisting."  Now, this is a clean board, so no jokes on the fact that this is a perfect application for a bed frame! I think the spring steel requirement at my crib is more for the weight capacity than the bending and twisting!!!!!!!
Reply:Now whoda thunk this would have sparked such a diverse range of topics?Lawn Care & Clean Cooking: "...small pull behind the riding mower trailer..."  "...hot water tank BBQ grill..." - STwelderSanitation: "...the trash pile..." - patrickpMetallurgy & Time Keeping: ..."Spring Steel and will ruin a drill bit in a second." - Broccoli1Cyclic Temperature Changes: "...just heat it and let it slow cool..." - drivethruboy54Agricultural: "...sickle guards onto the swather head." - farmersammFabrication Equipment: "...new bandsaw blade" - Doug247Photography, Machining & more Fabrication Equipment: "...photo-documenting it."  "...use the mill..." & "...chopsaws..." - Oldiron2Collecting: "Been collecting them..." - dellwasEducation & Woodworking Tools: "...can you explain more..."  "...and chiesels for my neighbor to use on his small wood lathe." - wb4rtHand Tools: "...wood chisels, old files..." - EdKingCultism/Religion: "...I was enlightened by a Pumpkinhead..." - Broccoli1Off Road Recreation: ...a 1946 Jeep..." - Broccoli1History: "Back in the days..." - OldtimerInternet Sex: "...on the web...a bed frame...bending and twisting!!!!!!!" - metalworxMM200 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:That is the hallmark of a good conversation - a good topic and friends willing to ask and answer questions. Thanks for the post!Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by metalworxI found this definition on the web:"Spring steel is a low alloy, medium carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows objects made of spring steel to return to their original shape despite significant bending or twisting."  Now, this is a clean board, so no jokes on the fact that this is a perfect application for a bed frame! I think the spring steel requirement at my crib is more for the weight capacity than the bending and twisting!!!!!!!
Reply:i'm working on turning my old bed frame into a deer stand. i'm just getting into hobby welding and this is my first real project - up until now i've just been practicing on scraps. i'm having problems with the quality of the welds. they look great but when i hammer-test them (ie put them in a vice and wack them with a hammer) they crack after a few blows. this has never been a problem with the scraps ive previously worked on.i'm using a mig-welder and ive tried to pre/post heat the material for a few minutes with a torch since that is supposed to help against brittle welds on carbon-steel, but it doesnt seem to make too big of a difference.is anyone else seeing this? got any ideas what i may be doing wrong?thanks
Reply:Hey guys thanks for the info about bed frames being spring steel!  Now I know why I have to sharpen the bits so often.  I have one of those drill doctor sharpeners and it has saved me a bunch of money!  I work at a camp where we get a lot of things donated, usually after it is wore out and we always have a surplus of drill bits!  After buying the drill doctor, that coffee can of dull bits just became a cash cow!  Even when I was drilling on bed angle, I would drill slow with oil and sharpen often, but I will have to try the torch trick!Here is what I have so Far:Miller:Shop Master 300 A A/C D/CS 22a Wire FeederRFC-14 Tig PedalHF-251D High Freq. UnitProfax 250 A Mig GunVictor RegulatorsHarris:63-2 torch Cutting Attachment 49-3making home built tig cooler
Reply:Have used up alot of bed frames for small projects, another good source for some heavier angle iron is old manure spreaders, the apron chain, or any old equipment  can supply some good angles, tubes etc....JimDuanne, Will this fall under Ag or sanitation??Lincoln Power Mig 255Hobart Stickmate AC/DCMiller AEAD 200LECutmaster 81
Reply:Originally Posted by d94joncai'm working on turning my old bed frame into a deer stand. i'm just getting into hobby welding and this is my first real project - up until now i've just been practicing on scraps. i'm having problems with the quality of the welds. they look great but when i hammer-test them (ie put them in a vice and wack them with a hammer) they crack after a few blows. this has never been a problem with the scraps ive previously worked on.i'm using a mig-welder and ive tried to pre/post heat the material for a few minutes with a torch since that is supposed to help against brittle welds on carbon-steel, but it doesnt seem to make too big of a difference.is anyone else seeing this? got any ideas what i may be doing wrong?thanks
Reply:My 'five bed frames' score from yesterday.  Friend from work picked them up for me a couples weeks ago and brought them over with him yesterday when we did the Lombardini / HF generator load test.  The light blue one (3 pieces) on the right is actually made from a formed channel.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:Gee! Duanne you your lucky! Seems that lately the supply of bed  frames as dried up.Co-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.And these all came from the same house!  One stop shopping.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:My wife gets sooo pissed when I steal the frame from our bed.
Reply:Well, JC, at least you can't break the frame if the box spring is sitting on the floor ....Duane, epic win on that earlier post about the wide and diverse range of subjects in this thread.
Reply:I can shed a bit of light on the "Problems" with using bed frames. As Ed said, they are spring steel. This means that they have enough carbon in them to be heat treated and tempered. They are hardened to keep them from bending and not supporting the box springs. If they were regular mild steel, over time they would bow out on the sides and fail at their job. Hardening them makes them difficult to bend.To drill them just heat the spot you want to drill until it turns blue and let it cool slowly. It will then be able to be drilled.They can also break like the problem d94jonca is having. The reason for this is that since they are a hardening steel welding takes them up past their critical temperature (above the point a magnet is attracted to them, try it and you will see). Although it would be an oil hardening steel, just allowing it to cool quickly like in a breeze, cold weather or with a fan blowing, the steel cools fast enough to get hard again. Unfortunately the steel get VERY hard and Brittle making it easy to break. It will just snap off because it has not been tempered (softened) at all.  If you weld it and let it cool and then come back with a torch and heat it up to blue, it will not break like it would without heating it.I posted an explanation about heat treating and tempering in VERY laymans terms in another thread if anyone is interested in reading it.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=27238
Reply:I forgot to add. Another good place for free steel is Northern tools. Find out when they get in their shipments of HEATED pressure washers on trailers. They come in a steel frame about 8' square. I have picked up a couple.Also go to motorcycle dealers, a lot of the atvs are shipped in metal frames.
Reply:Good pointers in both posts Bob.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:You may have better results with E71T1 flux cored dual shield wire when welding these frames. use either 75/25 mix or straight CO2 gas. The C02 will give slightly better penitration.Although E71T1 is not exactly the same as 7018 it is used in many of the same applications.I don't know the temperatures for pre/post heating.  That should at least help with the cracking if done correctly.As for using it for an application that could cause you harm (tree stand, supporting weight overhead etc.)  I probably wouldn't.   I feel quite sure the problems of welds cracking is why they are riveted together for their original intended purpose.
Reply:I have used bed frames for many projects over the years, and had no idea they were spring steel. I don't guess I've ever attempted to use a drill on them, tho, other than my Victor drill.  If these are spring steel tho, would it be a good enough quality of spring steel to make utility knives from?? I'm very fond of the "Old Hickory" brand of kitchen knives made by the Ontario Knife Company (-Made in USA-) from band saw blades. I don't expect the steel is of saw blade quality, but would it make a good kitchen utility knife??? Bob?Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:I've used the bed frames for a lot of projects too. Sometimes incorporating the riveted end pieces into the project. I believe I may have mentioned in another post that when I needed some angle and used up all my scrap, I went to the local thrift store and they always have 5 or 6 frames for sale. The price drops every week on most things there and I have never paid more than $3 for a four piece frame. Not as good as free, but sure beats $12 for one 6ft piece. RON
Reply:Ronbo has a good point.  I have on many times just ran up to the local thrift store or Salvation Army for a $2 frame.  The money goes to a great cause, it's cheaper than the supply yards, and sometimes I might find something else there that I want.
Reply:Hey Gutz,The bed frames are hardenable steel. Unfortunately I do not know exactly what steel it is.I would suggest you heat treat and temper several pieces and see what gives you the best results. Then make a knife and heat treat that way.Unfortunately there is no simple answer. Recycled steel is always a mystery. I would not let it stop me from making a few knives and testing them.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob WarnerHey Gutz,The bed frames are hardenable steel. Unfortunately I do not know exactly what steel it is.I would suggest you heat treat and temper several pieces and see what gives you the best results. Then make a knife and heat treat that way.Unfortunately there is no simple answer. Recycled steel is always a mystery. I would not let it stop me from making a few knives and testing them.
Reply:Duanne,I picked up three bed frames at an estate sale yesterday.  As I was unloading them, I got to wondering if there was any practical use for the legs.  So, I thought I'd ask the master bed frame recycler - Are there any good uses for the legs?  Or do you scrap them?Thanks,Joe
Reply:Originally Posted by AlabamaJoeDuanne,I picked up three bed frames at an estate sale yesterday.  As I was unloading them, I got to wondering if there was any practical use for the legs.  So, I thought I'd ask the master bed frame recycler - Are there any good uses for the legs?  Or do you scrap them?Thanks,Joe
Reply:One way to anneal the metal before drilling is to chuck a nail or or steel rod in your drill or drill press and use it as if you were trying to drill a hole.  The rotating rod will heat a small spot on the metal which can be drilled more easily once it has turned blue.  This has worked for me when drilling mystery metals.Larry "I feel for the man who cannot spell a word more than one way."  by Mark TwainLincoln AC225-SLincoln Weldpac 100 Miller Matic 180 (auto set)Miller Spectrum 375 ExtremeMiller Spoolmate 100Victor Super Range II
Reply:That is why they chewed up the drill bits, now I use the Hypertherm 30 PLASMA  saving lots of bits put a washer on the hole nobody knows LOL...my antenna tower also it must get hardened when baked and hot dipped, but it will be no match for the plasma cutter LOLLincoln 225 Tombstone,Miller Big 20,Hobart 180,150' Argon,A/D hobart hood 22 Ton Log splitter,79 F350 dump eats 4.75 TONS and still turns cutters,grinders,And a  Hypertherm POWERMAX 30
Reply:Yep,Duanne B., M.B.F.R.Joe