Varsteel Off Cuts - Great Place for Plate

[CalgaryPT]

Varsteel Materials Processing shop is at 7900 56 St SE (east of Big Rock Brewery). 403.203.8606.

Great place for off-cuts of steel plate if you don't need a full sheet. Their bigger yard off Dufferin Place only has full sheets; but these guys have lots of great off cuts.

I had to scrap my gantry crane plan due to insufficient shop space and switch to a smaller PA hoist arrangement like this: https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/1-320-lb-electric-hoist-frame/A-p8667446e

So I need a good base as it won't likely get secured to the ceiling. This means I need large hunk of plate to which I can weld gussets so it can be stand alone. I was looking for a 2 foot square hunk of 3/8" plate. Varsteel had a 30" circle instead, which is just fine. Price was $47 bucks including tax. Great deal. I could cut it down if I wanted, but it looks so neat and pretty I'll use it as is. Time to get out the Mag drill and cut some anchor holes. This time I am going to try chemical anchors.

Pat is the fellow I dealt with -- very nice guy. Bring your lid, vest and safety boots.

 

[Tom O]

Nice I’m going to be looking for something near the 36” dia for a sand muller although a 30” one would only hang over a counter 6 or so inches.

 

[CalgaryPT]

I was really happy to find these guys Tom. They can also cut, bend, roll, etc. I had intended to call in what I needed but was in the area so just popped in. I think if you are fussy it's better to call ahead. But I saw lots of cut out stuff.

 

[Janger]

Varsteel Materials Processing shop is at 7900 56 St SE (east of Big Rock Brewery). 403.203.8606.

Great place for off-cuts of steel plate if you don't need a full sheet. Their bigger yard off Dufferin Place only has full sheets; but these guys have lots of great off cuts.

I had to scrap my gantry crane plan due to insufficient shop space and switch to a smaller PA hoist arrangement like this: https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/1-320-lb-electric-hoist-frame/A-p8667446e

So I need a good base as it won't likely get secured to the ceiling. This means I need large hunk of plate to which I can weld gussets so it can be stand alone. I was looking for a 2 foot square hunk of 3/8" plate. Varsteel had a 30" circle instead, which is just fine. Price was $47 bucks including tax. Great deal. I could cut it down if I wanted, but it looks so neat and pretty I'll use it as is. Time to get out the Mag drill and cut some anchor holes. This time I am going to try chemical anchors.

Pat is the fellow I dealt with -- very nice guy. Bring your lid, vest and safety boots.

View attachment 5663

Are you going to put wheels on it?

 

[CalgaryPT]

Are you going to put wheels on it?

Nope. It's just meant to attach to a fixed post and ceiling. But I may not have a way to attach to ceiling so I need to build it free standing. In this case I need a larger base anchored to the floor, a thicker post and welded gussets from base to post. The manual specifies 5/32" wall, so I will go 1/4". With the large foot print base and the gussets I should be fine. Haven't done any calculations yet, but I know this is overkill anyways. The crane hoist with 5/32" post is rated at 1300 lbs, but I only intend to use it for up to 500 lbs, so i am pretty confident.

But it will not be moveable like I originally wanted. However it should address 90% of my need—which is to save my back when working on stuff.

 

[Tom Kitta]

Varsteel Materials Processing shop is at 7900 56 St SE (east of Big Rock Brewery). 403.203.8606.

Great place for off-cuts of steel plate if you don't need a full sheet. Their bigger yard off Dufferin Place only has full sheets; but these guys have lots of great off cuts.

I had to scrap my gantry crane plan due to insufficient shop space and switch to a smaller PA hoist arrangement like this: https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/1-320-lb-electric-hoist-frame/A-p8667446e

So I need a good base as it won't likely get secured to the ceiling. This means I need large hunk of plate to which I can weld gussets so it can be stand alone. I was looking for a 2 foot square hunk of 3/8" plate. Varsteel had a 30" circle instead, which is just fine. Price was $47 bucks including tax. Great deal. I could cut it down if I wanted, but it looks so neat and pretty I'll use it as is. Time to get out the Mag drill and cut some anchor holes. This time I am going to try chemical anchors.

Pat is the fellow I dealt with -- very nice guy. Bring your lid, vest and safety boots.

View attachment 5663

Great to know - I may not need anything now but good to know there is a source in Calgary area for such things.