MILD STEEL BENCH CONSTRUCTION

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MILD STEEL BENCH CONSTRUCTION

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Below are the stages involved in the manufacture of the mild steel bench.

CUTTING STEEL TUBE TO LENGTH

The legs are manufactured from mild steel round section tube. The tube is first cut to length using a machine hacksaw or if speed is important, a powerful tube cutter is used. This is more like a guillotine which slices through steel or aluminum with ease.

The tube ends are then de-burred (sharp edges removed) using a hand file.

The mild steel tube can be cut to length using a power/machine hacksaw. This thickness of material cannot realistically be cut by hand.

SMOOTHING BURRS AND ROUGH EDGES

A hand file is used to smooth all the sharp edges. This can be followed by emery cloth (if required). This will smooth the steel further.

USING A JIG TO FORM THE CURVES / ARCHES

The steel tube arches / curves for the bench, are formed by heating each tube to ‘red’ heat and ‘bending’ on a sturdy steel jig.

STEEL WELDING WITH AN OXY-ACETELENE TORCH

The steel tube frame is gas welded together (oxyacetylene gas mixture). The steel could also be brazed or mig-welded or even welded by electric arc equipment.

GALVANISED OR SPRAY PAINT

The steel frame is galvanise (zinc coated). This helps prevent rust / corrosion. Steel is galvanised through a chemical process. The steel is given a zinc coating and as zinc does not rust - rust cannot take hold.

The zinc coating is added to the steel by submerging it in molten zinc. The zinc becomes part of the outer layer of the steel..

For an even better weather resistant finish, the mild steel is galvanised and then spray painted. This is the most expensive option.

Alternatively, spray paint instead of galvanising. Although this will prevent corrosion, if the paint finish is scratched, corrosion will begin. If this option is selected, the surface of the steel is coated with a rust resistant primer first, followed by a top coat.

THE COMPLETED STEEL TUBE BENCH

The bench is then transported to a permanent site. It is bolted to concrete foundations. During the assembly process galvanised nuts and bolts are used. Again, this helps prevent rust.

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