ATTN: Metal Working Doods

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rightisright
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ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by rightisright »

I have two work trucks that have this rack on them: https://www.realtruck.com/backrack-orig ... Atb98P8HAQ


They are great for light lumber pickups (under 1k lbs), but at least once a year something slides in the bed and smashes the back sliding window. That costs me $250 plus a few hours labor for my foreman to install. Yeah, I've bitched at the guys and told them to tie everything in the beds down... but you know how it is. Truth be told, I was responsible for an "incident" last year. :oops:

What type/gauge of mesh/diamond pattern etc. would you recommend I weld on to the racks? It doesn't have to be pretty.. these are work trucks.

ETA: An online supplier would be best. I have very few "small order" metal places around here.
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Catbird
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by Catbird »

I would use perforated stainless, something between 16-20 ga. Stainless is much stronger than steel or aluminum and won't rust into an ugly mess in a few years. Paint it first if you don't want the glare. Fold over the exposed edges for a 1/2 to 1" hem. Attach with self tapping screws. I would go with larger hole perforations, for visibility. If you know of a sheet metal, HVAC, or scrap metal place nearby, they might have some cheap pieces the right size for you/

For a simpler, cheaper and cleaner installation, just cover the center rectangular area.
001.jpg
http://www.pennstainless.com/stainless- ... ted-sheet/
http://www.mcnichols.com/products/perfo ... ess-steel/
https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Perfor ... B00CNM1F8O

If you don't mind plain steel, you can get some fancy patterns: https://www.mechanicalmetals.com/perfor ... ted-metal/
"If at first you don't succeed, that's one data point." XKCD
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Netpackrat
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by Netpackrat »

I like all of what Catbird said except the bit about stainless being stronger than regular steel. In the general sense the opposite is true, although it depends on the specific alloys being compared.
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rightisright
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by rightisright »

Thanks... I'll probably go w. plain steel and rattlecan it.
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PawPaw
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by PawPaw »

Aaah! Headache racks. Everybody around here with a welder knows how to make them.

They're real common on work trucks. Just driving around lumber yards you'll get plenty of ideas on construction and design.
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rightisright
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by rightisright »

Leaning toward ordering this: http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant.cf ... oCwyTw_wcB

About $60 each w. shipping. Where the dotted lines in Catbird's drawing are will be welded steel 3/16" x 2" stock (because it's what I have lying around) and the mesh will be welded to those (so there are no sharp edges sticking out) as well as the main parts of the rack. In hindsight, I should have ordered the headache racks w. the mesh or grid already installed. Live and learn. :)
Last edited by rightisright on Sat Jul 02, 2016 3:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Catbird
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by Catbird »

Expanded mesh is what most headache racks use. It's difficult to get it clean enough to paint properly though.
"If at first you don't succeed, that's one data point." XKCD
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HTRN
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by HTRN »

Catbird wrote:Expanded mesh is what most headache racks use. It's difficult to get it clean enough to paint properly though.
Electrolytic rust removal.
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rightisright
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Re: ATTN: Metal Working Doods

Post by rightisright »

HTRN wrote:
Catbird wrote:Expanded mesh is what most headache racks use. It's difficult to get it clean enough to paint properly though.
Electrolytic rust removal.
Or brake cleaner followed by Rustoleum? :D
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