:: View topic - I-Beam

Hey guys, my first post on this awesome forum, been following it for a while, and I've finally decided to build my own press. I have all of the necessary woodworking/mold making done for the press, and now I'm moving on to build the press frame. I accumulated some 6 inch c-channel to make my press end frames, and now I just need to make a decision as to what kind of i-beams I should buy. I believe the 6 inch channel will be plenty strong. As it sits right now, I can get some i-beam with an 8 inch flange, and 10 inch web, weighing in at 21LBS/foot. Now honestly, because I'm new to this, I'm really not sure if that will be enough to withstand the pressures and forces of the press. I plan on pressing up to about 50-60 PSI. If it makes any difference, I plan to use 7-1/2 foot i-beams (unless you guys think I should use a smaller/larger size) Can anybody toss a few thoughts on those specs for that i-beam my way? Also, out of curiosity, what are the i-beam specs for your guy's personal presses?

I plan to have the end frames professionally welded together if you guys are wondering. Very hesitant to go the nut/bolt route, seems to be a few horror stories on here about shearing hardware.

Thanks much guys, glad there is such a great forum here to help people like me out!

Quick edit here. I suck at searchbarring, and I've read in a thread about some of the calculations and math behind figuring out what i-beams are necessary/what max forces a press is theoretically rated to. Can someone please post a link to this thread or a similar one and help me out?

**EDIT**

I can't tell you how big your beems has to be. Mine are made out of wood. but make sure they are strong. I repositioned our half full 40 foot shipping container today with the bladder from my skipress.

^^^ brilliant!

That is amazing. The pressures that a confined bladder puts out are mind numbing. Back to the beam, I think I'm just going to buy my 21lbs/foot beam. Being 8x10 and being doubled up, I highly doubt it will buckle under pressure. (not the best approach to things, I know, but it must be done) I think I should be more concerned about getting good welds on the end frames. Thanks for the help, thoughts, and knowledge as always!

EDIT: totally forgot to ask, what length of beams do you guys prefer? I was thinking 7-1/2 feet for shop convenience, or 8 foot for a nice spacious press. Thoughts on this? Biggest skis I would ever build would be 190's (which will likely never happen)

Bigger is better.