Thread: Angle vs SHS - Which profile for a privacy screen project?

Hello all.

I just purchased a 140 amp arc welder, and some 6013 GP welding rods for my next project in the garden.


Now I am in the process of designing a privacy screen frame. I would appreciate opinions on which metal profile that would be best to construct a 1200 mm x 1200 mm rectangular fame, with 600mm legs concreted into the ground.


My options are using either: 50 x 50 x 4 mm Mild steel angle, OR 40 x 40 x 3mm mild steel SHS.


More concerned about rigidity if using the angle option, it may wobble? Maybe I am overthinking this?


I do understand that angle is prone to torsional forces, however I can't really see such forces being applied holding a 6kg privacy screen (1200x2400mm).


Thanks all.

Probably over thinking. How are you going to protect against corrosion? If you hot dip galvanise, open sections (angle etc) are better. If you are painting, SHS probably is a bit less fiddly to paint. With stick welding you can get down reasonably thin with material, so you could probably go under 40x40x3 RHS (maybe 2 or 2.5mm?) Really depends on your welding skills and what you want to do. Maybe start with some trial pieces and see what works best?

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

Probably over thinking. How are you going to protect against corrosion? If you hot dip galvanise, open sections (angle etc) are better. If you are painting, SHS probably is a bit less fiddly to paint. With stick welding you can get down reasonably thin with material, so you could probably go under 40x40x3 RHS (maybe 2 or 2.5mm?) Really depends on your welding skills and what you want to do. Maybe start with some trial pieces and see what works best?

Michael

Thanks for the reply, It's been a while since I have welded from trade background but once I practice it will be ok.


I originally planned to use mild steel, I did read that painting gal can be done If I were to use the correct primer, I guess I will be looking at gal RHS as an option now.


Thank mate.

Hi Weldhur,

I think that I would be concerned about wind loading with that area !

If you use hollow section.

Once u conc it in -- drill some holes just above ground level. Lost count of how many times I have drilled into somones ver posts. Oh look the Trevi fountain!!!

Surprising how much damn water gets into those hollows!

I would upgrade to 50 mm or even 75mm square posts and then use the angle as cross members.
That way the angle will be same size or fit in when butted to the posts. Make posts a tad longer so you can put post caps on them. Depending n the look you are after, you could size it so the screen sits in the top an bottom angle. Paint the bottom 600 of posts in bitumen paint, then just bury or concrete in the ground. If you have a scissor type post hole shovel you can dig a smaller diameter hole which uses less concrete.