Hey Guys:

I tried to put this in general discussion but it I could not post there.

I am building a stop log structure, at Indian River Hydrostation, to block off the water to my forebay on the Westfield River. Does anyone know where I can find/buy a used bridge beam? I need between a 33 inch and a 48 inch by 70 foot beam with no welds. It would be nice to find one closer to Massachusetts! We are having a difficult time draining the river. There is too much water. We have the 6' high by 10'wide drain gate open but the water is still flowing over the top of the spillway. The permits took $77,000 and 14 months to obtain. The sediment chemical tests took $26,000 alone!!!! How can anyone get anything built in this country anymore???

PS: I bought this really cool old planer in NJ off of e-bay. It is a magnificent machine and I will set it up in Turners Falls near the 120 inch Niles Boring Machine. We were going to NJ today to pickup the 16" stroke Rockwell shaper but I think I will cancel due to the rain.

Try giving Acme Metals & Recycling a call down the road in Springfield (if you haven't already).

http://www.acmerecycling.com/

I think this is the place my church got some 30" x 50' x 95# I-beams a number of years ago to clear span the basement.

Also I think there are a number of places in Worcester.

I had a friend who worked for CAPCO Steel who was able to get me the two 10" x 10" x 26' x 33# box beams when I needed to raise my house in Rhode Island to put a new foundation under it. Total cost = $0.00. Wouldn't even let me pay for fuel to bring them out into the middle of nowhere Baileys Pond West Greenwich in the Company truck. I don't think Harold (retired) works for them anymore and I'd lost touch with him even before we'd left R.I. They seemed to be sympathetic to shall we say "low budget" operations like mine. They'd get my first call for any kind of structural steel out there in New England. They work very big projects and have a lot of cut-offs that just go in for scrap if they can't find any other use for them. Not saying you'll get it for free, but you might get it for scrap which is considerably less than "new" as I'm sure you already know. Good luck with it.

Jim

Edit: CAPCO is in Providence, BTW and nice save on the planer. Have enjoyed your updates on machines and the work you are doing.

It may be raining in EastWare, but it is beautiful in NJ today, bright sunshine 60°+

Was it the planer in Bogota??

Yes! Now I need to go get it!!

We have had problems with welds rotting in hydro applications where conditions cycle between wet and dry. I know about paint, but you can not get decent paint anymore. I have not been able to purchase zinc chromate primer or lead based paints for years. We have had mixed results with two part epoxy paints where flexure occurs and I detest latex based paints. The new oil based paints disappear after one year. So I am not afraid of the weld's strength. I am afraid of its longevity. If possible I would prefer a beam with no welds. We are inserting it into a beam pocket on one side and dropping the other end into a jackhammered slot in the dam crest on the other end. Both ends will be thoroughly grouted. The heavy 8 inch needles will be grouted into cored holes, in the native granite, on the bottom. They will be welded in place to the 36 inch beam on the top. We are pouring a flat sill between each needle on the bottom. We will fill the slots formed by the wide flanges with white oak timbers.

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A W40 is about the largest section that is rolled. Finding a W33, W36 or a W40 used is rare, finding one that long is probably impossible. Of course you could buy it new, a W36 x 135 will probably run between $70 and $80 per foot, maybe more.

I thought zinc chromate primer was still availible from DuPont. In the automotive re-finish line. And isn't it still used in aircraft?

I read recently that our highway bridges are still painted with lead based paints. It must be availible to the contractors that do that work. The story was that it is the best paint that will stand up to weather. And thus is the most ecconomical paint to use.

Frank

Oh, and congrats on the planer, a fine piece for you shop.

I wonder if something like a Duraliner (truck bed liner) type product would hold up.

If it works, and with all of the exposed stuff you have, it might be worth investing in a gun and a couple of barrels. I have no idea how expensive it might be though...

Maybe glass flake epoxy?

http://www.allbusiness.com/manufactu.../591290-1.html

Check out te George Kirby company in New Bedford, MA 508 997 9008. they do, or did make lead paint

French,
it sound's like if you could get a reliable coating, it would open up
the use of a welded up beam, which would much easier to source.

http://www.castolin.com/wCastolin_co...rc_spray_4.php

Is one supplier of this twin wire arc spraying, I see they use it on boats, have
no experience with it, but it is used on steel hulled boats.