L Style Gantry on a 6040 sized machine?

**Kitwn** · 27-02-2020

Originally Posted by Sterob

It seems to the norm in Australia.
We get gouged all the time.

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I can't remember exactly what size I asked then to quote for but one Perth supplier wanted well over $600AUD for two 1m lengths of aly profile inc delivery. That was why I spent $180 on a stick welder and built my gantry out of steel I scavenged off the tip.

**Neale** · 27-02-2020

Originally Posted by Kitwn

I can't remember exactly what size I asked then to quote for but one Perth supplier wanted well over $600AUD for two 1m lengths of aly profile inc delivery. That was why I spent $180 on a stick welder and built my gantry out of steel I scavenged off the tip.

I'm with Kit on that one - I'm sure that alu profile is quicker and easier to use but if you can't find it at a sensible price then steel is good. I'm a (very) novice welder but my steel gantry works fine. If circumstances force you down that route, that fine - you can still build a decent machine. Just remember the home-builder's mantra - if you can't build accurate, build adjustable!

**Sterob** · 27-02-2020

Originally Posted by Kitwn

I can't remember exactly what size I asked then to quote for but one Perth supplier wanted well over $600AUD for two 1m lengths of aly profile inc delivery. That was why I spent $180 on a stick welder and built my gantry out of steel I scavenged off the tip.

You were Lucky! (apologies to Monty Python....)
I can't even find anyone to sell me less than 6 metres!....lol

Can you remember who that was?

Yes, steel maybe a cheaper option.....

Will probably explore buying from UK, or failing that *shudder* china......

Early days.....Have to get the shed up first!

**Kitwn** · 28-02-2020

Originally Posted by Sterob

You were Lucky! (apologies to Monty Python....)
I can't even find anyone to sell me less than 6 metres!....lol

Can you remember who that was?

Yes, steel maybe a cheaper option.....

Will probably explore buying from UK, or failing that *shudder* china......

Early days.....Have to get the shed up first!

I think it was Statewide Bearings in Perth. I can't easily search my old emails at the moment as I'm away from home but it was for heavy duty profile of quite large dimensions, 120 x 60 perhaps. My rails are fitted on the front face of the gantry so it needed to be quite deep and was going to be an 'L' shape. Even ally bar is a crazy price down here and, as you say, finding someone who will sell you less than a full length is near impossible. Steel on the other hand we dig out of the ground by the meggaton so is a much cheaper option.

I'm now using 2 pieces of 50 x 100 steel welded together to give a 200mm high face for the rails and more of the same for uprights and feet that bolt onto aluminium plates holding the linear bearings. This was my first attempt at welding but after a bit of careful grinding and copious applications of car body filler and paint it looks quite neat!

**Sterob** · 29-02-2020

Originally Posted by Kitwn

I think it was Statewide Bearings in Perth. I can't easily search my old emails at the moment as I'm away from home but it was for heavy duty profile of quite large dimensions, 120 x 60 perhaps. My rails are fitted on the front face of the gantry so it needed to be quite deep and was going to be an 'L' shape. Even ally bar is a crazy price down here and, as you say, finding someone who will sell you less than a full length is near impossible. Steel on the other hand we dig out of the ground by the meggaton so is a much cheaper option.

I'm now using 2 pieces of 50 x 100 steel welded together to give a 200mm high face for the rails and more of the same for uprights and feet that bolt onto aluminium plates holding the linear bearings. This was my first attempt at welding but after a bit of careful grinding and copious applications of car body filler and paint it looks quite neat!

Yeah...they are agents for Modular Components.

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