OP
rustyshakelford
Veteran Member
Drill stem isn't designed for structural use and most counties would require engineer drawings and approvals for any type of building larger than a shed. Magnetic drill stem may cause arc blow at lesser amps than normal but usually arc blow doesn't occur until burning rods over 5/32". If you are approved to use drill stem, I would guess you'd probably be using 1/8" rods and properly coped joints. That's a lot of cutting and fitting. 95% of welding trucks in the last 70+ years have only had a DC welder.
No building code where I'm at. Just seem farmers use pipe as long as I can remember. Only holding up the roof and to not blow over. I'll consult with smarter people than I. My brother is a mechanical engineer. I'll have him run some numbers.
Drill stem pipe used to be really cheap, but now I don't find the advertised prices that great. I would much rather opt for good structural steel. Have you priced out the red iron prefabbed steel buildings. They may not be a much greater price than what it will cost you in drill stem, although you would need to buy the whole building at once which may upset your budget.
3.5" was $62 per 31" 2 7/8" is around $42 per stick. Very comparable to wood in price. Prefab building would require me to pour the slab or atleast the footings and a lot higher install price. Don't know if that's something I can work on by myself.
When looking for a machine to use it doesn't matter the diameter of the pipe or square tube. It is the wall thickness that will determine the amperage you will need to do the job. As the duty cycle of the machine you are looking at goes up so does the price. Because you think you will be welding up in the trusses you might consider a spool-on gun. You might be able to sell it when you finish the construction of the building.
I'll look into that. Thx.
General consensus is not to be overly concerned with getting an ac machine.
Brett