small channel iron question

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Hi, all  I'am looking for some small channel iron,1/2"x1/4"x1/8" It's for a small stainglass job.  I look at few local steel yards and nothing.  I did the goggle and couldn't find anything that small.  maybe I need to look more in the artsE  fartsE world.thanks,Daye
Reply:I don't think it's channel iron per say. I think you do need to check the artsy fartsy places. maybe Zap will see this or you could shoot him a PM. I think his wife does this type of thing. Thats Zapster if you try to pm him.Last edited by tresi; 02-16-2009 at 08:56 PM.Tough as nails and damn near as smart
Reply:They do make a 3/4" x 3/8" x 1/8".  I don't think you're gonna find the 1/2" stuff.
Reply:If you're still looking, you might try a good hobby or model railroad shop, the kind that attracts people who like to build engines, planes and such. They might just have it in brass, not steel.  I assume you've already looked at the yellow pages for stained glass equipment.Does this need a thicker web for stiffness?
Reply:What you are looking for does not exsist.Here is why. Sheetmetal shops usually only deal with metal up to .060 or 1/16 inch.There is a mathmatical formula for bending metal and what the bent edge will look like.Wether it is a round edge or a crisp clean type bend.They do sell 1/8 angle inro (steel), BUT each leg is equal not unequal. So angle "iron"won't help you. You could have it bent at a sheet metal shop that works with steel,galvinized steel up to 1/16, or a shop like a resturaunt sheet metal products company that make things for the resturaunt businesses.Remember the thickness of the metal determines the roundness or squareness of the bend.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:You could have it machined from bar stock if you need smallish pieces and are willing to pay big $$ for it.
Reply:Are you doing Lead glass or Tiffiny?For lead glass you use an extruded lead chanel and solder the junctions. For Tiffiny you use Coper or brass Came. It can be preformed, or you can get it in tape form that wraps around the edge of the glass and sticks until you solder over it.A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:Check an ornamental steel supply (decorative & wrought fencing).  I found some small channel at one that I couldn't find elsewhere.  What you're looking for, as said, may not exist.  But you may be able to find something you can adapt by using a metal cutting bandsaw or plasma to rip off material to create what you need.ScottMiller XMT 350 CC/CV w/gas solenoid opt.Miller S-22A wirefeederBernard 400A "Q" gunMiller Spoolmatic 30A / WC-24C-K 200A torch/gas lensWeldcraft WC-18 watercooled torchHypertherm Powermax 30Victor O/A
Reply:thank's for the info guys.   I don't know a whole lot about the type of glass.  it'a 1/4'' thick and a 1' square. I need to wrap two sides,about 1' to hold it.  I do have a mill but, that's alot of milling.  I gotta find thats a little more cost friendly.I need to check out the hobbie stores or talk them into angle with some flat tack into the backside.Any know of an ornamental supply stores?Daye
Reply:Magnetic's right about the lead stuff, I saw it on TV on "This Old House".  Neat showI wonder if you're dealing with a square window if you couldn't just bed the glass in small angle with silicone or glaziers puttyLast edited by farmersamm; 02-20-2009 at 10:21 PM.Reason: spelling"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:They make a zinc channel just for stained glass. You can solder it with the same solder you use for the glass, tie it in a various points and the whole bit. They even make an itty bitty teenie chop saw for it.Zinc channel or tin or some combo, but it's made just for edging the glass.
Reply:It sounds to me as if it's not ordinary stained glass, nor a standard window either. In any case, I know I've seen either brass or aluminum extrusions that sound like what he wants, probably used in the electronics industry around here, but can't remember where and don't know where to look. Still don't know if he only needs iron, too. Zinc sounds good to me.
Reply:1/4" glass is usually plate. Meaning it is ground and polished on both sides, not wavy like float glass.  Unless of course you are dealing with some sort of  cathedral glass. Cathedral glass is usually textured.  Is what you are using smooth on both sides?Made some aquariums with this process, maybe it will help.Weld 2 1"x1" pieces to a plate and use a 1/4" piece as a die.  Cut a piece of stainless and press between the two blocks.A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:Originally Posted by Magnetic Mechanic1/4" glass is usually plate. Meaning it is ground and polished on both sides, not wavy like float glass.  Unless of course you are dealing with some sort of  cathedral glass. Cathedral glass is usually textured.  Is what you are using smooth on both sides?Made some aquariums with this process, maybe it will help.Weld 2 1"x1" pieces to a plate and use a 1/4" piece as a die.  Cut a piece of stainless and press between the two blocks.
Reply:You can weld stops wherever you need them. I've done that on jobs with lots of parts.  On small jobs I usually just eyeball.If you have access to a press take a look at this.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=25448A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:I wonder about some 1/2 inch box tubing. What's the thickest wall (besides solid) you can get in that? Is 1/8th wall half inch box available?  Grind it, mill it, rip it in a band saw. For just a couple of feet a guy could get creative.
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyI wonder about some 1/2 inch box tubing. What's the thickest wall (besides solid) you can get in that? Is 1/8th wall half inch box available?  Grind it, mill it, rip it in a band saw. For just a couple of feet a guy could get creative.