steel storage

[Thrashsmith]

I'm due a big workshop shimmy around as I've accumilated some larger tools that could do with being in better spots and the glaringly obvious thing that's gobbleing up the most space and getting in the way is my steel rack. I think box section comes in at a bit over 7m?
Who stores their steel outside? I'm reluctant to move it outside for a few reasons but would feel more comfortable about it if I saw others doing it.

 

[Welderpaul]

Hollow section will be 7.5m stock lengths usually.

We keep heavy section - beams, columns, channels outside as they have heavy millscale so stay reasonably rust free for a while. Box section, flats, rounds etc we keep inside as they go rusty quite quickly and just gives you another job to clean up if they are not being galvanised or blasted.

You can cover it if it is outside but it doesn't make much difference due to the moisture in the air. Hollow section doesn't have millscale on it so it is usually oiled to protect it for the short term.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Only worth considering if you have a fast turnover, even with the oily coating it often comes coated in it will still rust.

Have you the space for to make an enclosed rack (long narrow shed/lean to) which will keep the worst of the elements off it, or know anywhere you can scrounge some of the larger 18" ish diameter plastic piping, several of those can make a good storage system and you can even get end caps to fit.

 

[awemawson]

If you spray it with Shell Ensis diluted a bit with white spirit it should be ok for about a year outside.

 

[8ob]

Build a small roof and use the guts,rails and curtains of an old curtainside truck. You could use the curtainside body complete or cut it in half down its length and fix that to the wall. They change hands for peanuts ,they also have seriously heavy duty curtains and fixtures.

Something like this cut in half and screwed to the wall would give you 60`X4` of dry storage that's forklift accessible, the trailer would probable sell to recover the outlay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DONBUR-CU...138454?hash=item43fcaf0956:g:LoIAAOSwUKxYfUJN

Bob