Expert: Kent Gailard - 6/13/2005

Question
Is there a chart that there is with wood that would tell you how much weight a certain size angle iron would hold?  It seems that everything I make is very heavy because I'm afraid of it breaking.

I'm trying to make a box that would hold a 150 lb generator for the back of a truck.

I would really appreciate it if you could advise me on where to locate this.

Thanks.  

Answer
I am sorry, but this is out of my general area. There is a book that we use called the machinest handbook that has most formulas for applications with metal. Another way is to locate a distributor of fabrication metal. I'd think they would have a chart like you are talking about. The 3rd way is to use any major search engine like Yahoo, Google or Dogpile and ask for  angle iron formulas for application. If you have a local high school that has a metal shop, they too may have what you are looking for.

Sorry I can't offer you any more than this, but metal castings and forgings and machining is more in my area.

Regards,
Kent