What material is this ?

[twocik]

Any idea what material the triangle piece the wheels are attached to in the picture ? It looks like steel, but wasn't sure if it was some kind of special grade (doesn't rust).

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...1&d=1248505012

[GaryCorlew]

It looks like yellow zink plated steel

[PixMan]

It's impossible to tell for certain with just a photo, but you can run one simple test to narrow it down. Magnet! If the magnet sticks, it's probably a zinc chromate plated steel. If the magnet doesn't stick, it's probably a low-grade stainless steel.

One other thought: If the color balance of the photo is too warm, that golden color might be in the lighting and not the part. It could also be a nickel-plated steel and if plated thick enough the magnet might not stick. Looking at it again, I think the plates are 304 stainless because the triangular weldment on them is "yellow enough" to be zinc chromate plated soft steel. I can see any weld between the two pieces, but in the lower left piece there seems to be some glob of goo between the two metal pieces. The finish on the plates looks like a rough grind from a hand held angle grinder, often used for post-weld spatter removal.

[twocik]

Doesn't have to be exact, I'm looking for something strong enough to hold 400 lbs and not have to worry about rust or having to have it painted. What this is for is a camera dolly. Here's a picture of what I'm talking about

http://www.digitalfilmgroup.com/imag...a_dolly_sm.jpg



I only work with aluminum, so this is out of my area. Any suggestion on where to get this material ?

[RogerRetro]

My guess is that it is Zinc Dichromate or Gold (Dichromate) Cadmium plated steel.
Regards,
Roger

[hgk]

This one is using Aluminum angle.

YouTube - HOW TO MAKE A TRACK DOLLY ~ LOW-BUDGET FILMMAKING (UK)

YouTube - HOW TO MAKE A TRACK DOLLY ~ LOW-BUDGET FILMMAKING (UK)

[twocik]

I've made plenty of dollies using the angle material, just wanted to step up the strength. The angle stuff works pretty good, but not like the steel triangle. I don't know where to find it, any suggestions ?

[garagefela]

Couple of choices here and each is not a difficult solution.

The first design looks like a good thing to copy. Base plate and angle just use mild steel and either galvanise dip, passivate, cad plate, normal paint, powder coat or zinc plate just to prevent the rust. Mild steel will be plenty strong. Many many easy and low cost finishing choices there that will do the job perfectly.

Not having been involved in filming I can't see you tearing around in driving rain and would think the dolly trucks will last ages.

Or make the base plate and angle out of stainless steel, bit more expensive and a bit harder to work with but by no means impossible and then they will last forever but as mentioned earlier are you going to be using this thing along the beach and in the water? I would guess most probably not.

All depends if you want overkill or not.

Cheers M

[hgk]

Originally Posted by twocik I've made plenty of dollies using the angle material, just wanted to step up the strength. The angle stuff works pretty good, but not like the steel triangle. I don't know where to find it, any suggestions ?

The triangle is likely a special fabrication which would probably require a thomasnet hunt.
http://www.thomasnet.com/products/tu...8674080-1.html
-George

[twocik]

Oh.... Yea I've looked all over, nothing...


Wow is that a congested site

Thanks



If anyone else might know of a place, please feel free.