angle aluminum vs flat
- Thread starter banke1
- Start date
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
Because angle has more structure... And it has more surface area to sink heat.
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
Yes, 1/8 inch aluminum will sag. Angle aluminum will not sag, and if you get architectural angle aluminum (1/16) its lighter as well.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
1/16" tends to sag with enough weight. I recommend 1/8" for sure.
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
Sure if you hang twenty pounds from them. They'll certainly support the 3 pounds that a 320H driver weighs without sagging. We're talking about 3 QB's and a driver here.
I was going to use two pieces of 48" in order to mount three boards between them. at first I was looking at angle aluminum, but now I'm thinking about using 3/4" wide, 48"long 1/8" thick flat aluminum and then using a piece of angled alum at the ends to connect them all.
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
3/4 x 1/8 flat stock may sag under its own weight at 48 inches. With three pounds of driver it will definitely sag.
Dmannn
Well-Known Member
An angle on flat stock metal is called a break. The machine that bends angles in flat stock is called a break. A break creates a structural angle which keeps the material from folding. If you take it to a welding or machine shop with a large enough break tell them to give it a mire 180-15 = 165 deg angle lengthwise down the center. This will give you plenty of rigidity and provide a semi flat surface to drill holes for attachments. They will probably do it for free or like 10 bucks.
I went to HD today just to check out the different options. 1/8" and 1/16" flat bars have way too much flex imo. however I think the 1/8" is overkill for the angle. 1/16" seems like it would be plenty sturdy and save some $ and be lighter and easier to handle.
when it comes to 3/4" vs 1" vs 1.25" vs 1.5", I think the 3/4" is good enough, once again saving $ and overall weight of the fixture.
when it comes to 3/4" vs 1" vs 1.25" vs 1.5", I think the 3/4" is good enough, once again saving $ and overall weight of the fixture.
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
Wanna save some more? Step out of HD and check out this place:
http://www.uaac.us/aluminum-angle-34-x-34-x-48-in-116-in-thick75in-4-ft-2-ft-new-usa
Can't believe how inexpensive these people are... Too bad they don't do heatsinks.
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
You're a GOD. THANK YOU FOR THIS LINK. Holy shit that's a good deal.
Serverchris
Well-Known Member
Hell yeah man that's an awesome find.
Ok so that website uaac.us has three different types of aluminum in the size that I want. (.75"x.75"x48", 1/16" thick)
Here are my options with total price for the quantity I need
1- Aluminum Architectural Angle : 6063-T5 type aluminum. $78
2- 3003 type aluminum angle : $61.20
3- Aluminum Anodized Angle, 5052 type aluminum "These are a fabricated angle and the color is dark bronze. These are considerbly stronger and lighter than our standard 3/4 in angle. The color is only on the outside of the angle. The inside of the angle is clear anodized." $126.36
what would you guys recommend?? (the price difference is non factor, just threw it in there)
Here are my options with total price for the quantity I need
1- Aluminum Architectural Angle : 6063-T5 type aluminum. $78
2- 3003 type aluminum angle : $61.20
3- Aluminum Anodized Angle, 5052 type aluminum "These are a fabricated angle and the color is dark bronze. These are considerbly stronger and lighter than our standard 3/4 in angle. The color is only on the outside of the angle. The inside of the angle is clear anodized." $126.36
what would you guys recommend?? (the price difference is non factor, just threw it in there)
Airwalker16
Well-Known Member
3003... No need for anything else. If you don't care about price though, get the perty 5052.
nfhiggs
Well-Known Member
Agree, just get the least expensive - extra strength is a waste, its not like you're going to be doing chin-ups on your fixture.
fragileassassin
Well-Known Member
I just recently built these out of 1/2"x1/2" 1/8" angle. I wish I would have gone a little bit bigger. The tracks are 8ft long and I ended up having to put 2 cross brace pieces in to keep them from spreading apart enough for my panels to fall out.
This stuff has quite a bit of flex, I ended up having to put 4 hangers on each one to keep the tracks flat and level. This is just under the weight of boards and heatsinks, drivers are outside.
This picture is with my 2 end ties loosened so all the weight is on the middle two.
This stuff has quite a bit of flex, I ended up having to put 4 hangers on each one to keep the tracks flat and level. This is just under the weight of boards and heatsinks, drivers are outside.
This picture is with my 2 end ties loosened so all the weight is on the middle two.
