I'm designing a piece of computer related furniture to be made primarily out of
rectangular steel tubing and I'd like to have a prototype made, to be followed
by small scale production on a monthly basis. I'd appreciate any advice on the
best (i.e. cheapest) way to go about this (e.g. sourcing the tubing and having
the fabrication, welding and finishing done myself, or contracting the whole
process out to a furniture manufacturer).

I've searched for ready made components, such as steel table legs, that I could
possibly use instead of having them built from scratch, but prices are quite
high. Does anyone know of a good source for such items? TIA.

In article , Sb083459
wrote:

I'm designing a piece of computer related furniture to be made primarily out
of
rectangular steel tubing and I'd like to have a prototype made, to be followed
by small scale production on a monthly basis. I'd appreciate any advice on the
best (i.e. cheapest) way to go about this (e.g. sourcing the tubing and having
the fabrication, welding and finishing done myself, or contracting the whole
process out to a furniture manufacturer).

I've searched for ready made components, such as steel table legs, that I
could
possibly use instead of having them built from scratch, but prices are quite
high. Does anyone know of a good source for such items? TIA.


I can probably help you figure out manufacturing.
Can you send me a drawing?
I have built a lot of furniture.

Are you looking locally for a fabricator?

"Sb083459" wrote in message
...
I'm designing a piece of computer related furniture to be made primarily
out of
rectangular steel tubing and I'd like to have a prototype made, to be
followed
by small scale production on a monthly basis. I'd appreciate any advice on
the
best (i.e. cheapest) way to go about this (e.g. sourcing the tubing and
having
the fabrication, welding and finishing done myself, or contracting the
whole
process out to a furniture manufacturer).

I've searched for ready made components, such as steel table legs, that I
could
possibly use instead of having them built from scratch, but prices are
quite
high. Does anyone know of a good source for such items? TIA.

If you are willing to do the work yourself, there is no limit to what you
can build. If you just want to use square tubing, round tubing, flat bar,
etc, you will find all you need at local suppliers. If you want decorative
legs and components, check with decorativeiron.com for legs and such.

When you compare what it costs to build it yourself, there IS no comparison
to buying or having someone else do the work.

Steve

Sb083459 wrote:

I'm designing a piece of computer related furniture to be made primarily out of
rectangular steel tubing and I'd like to have a prototype made, to be followed
by small scale production on a monthly basis. I'd appreciate any advice on the
best (i.e. cheapest) way to go about this (e.g. sourcing the tubing and having
the fabrication, welding and finishing done myself, or contracting the whole
process out to a furniture manufacturer).

I've searched for ready made components, such as steel table legs, that I could
possibly use instead of having them built from scratch, but prices are quite
high. Does anyone know of a good source for such items? TIA.

Shameless plug from a proud papa; Try contacting my son Adam at:

www.pbasics.com

He can help you out with components or complete assemblies. He started his business
in a corner of a buddy's shop about seven years ago and I've watched him grow it to
where it's now vertically integrated ... from NC rotary punch presses right through
to some big powder coat finishing ovens.

His company makes all sorts of steel "specials" most of which can be classifiedas
being in the general category of "furniture". His most recent unusual project was a
batch of folding portable voting booths for the City of Boston.

Good luck,

Jeff


--
Jeff Wisnia (W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)

"If you can keep smiling when things go wrong, you've thought of someone to place
the blame on."

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I would do it myself, except for the fact
that I know almost nothing about metalworking or welding. All I'd be able to do
is paint Plus, if there's any demand for the product, we'll need the items
mass produced.

One component of the furniture will be height adjustable tubular legs, with one
tube fitting into a larger one, being locked in place by an adjustment knob or
screw. Does anyone know the best way to implement this? I've seen various
furniture pieces with extruded nylon or plastic sleeves/liners that fit into
the larger tube, acting as a cushion/bearing against the smaller tube. Sort of
like a hollow end plug. Can anyone suggest a source for these items? Also,
what's the best way to thread the hole in the larger tube to accept the height
adjustment screw? For heavy loads, perhaps it would make sense to drill a
series of holes in the smaller tube and use a screw or pin that would extend
through both tubes. Or perhaps someone knows of a source for ready made
assemblies like this?

With respect to the finishing process, I've check with local shops that do
blating and powder coating, and all were expensive. I'm wondering if there are
larger shops that will group small jobs together with a larger customer's
powder coating job, in order to reduce setup costs. Thanks!

In article , Maw888
wrote:

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I would do it myself, except for the fact
that I know almost nothing about metalworking or welding. All I'd be able to
do
is paint Plus, if there's any demand for the product, we'll need the items
mass produced.

One component of the furniture will be height adjustable tubular legs, with
one
tube fitting into a larger one, being locked in place by an adjustment knob or
screw. Does anyone know the best way to implement this? I've seen various
furniture pieces with extruded nylon or plastic sleeves/liners that fit into
the larger tube, acting as a cushion/bearing against the smaller tube. Sort of
like a hollow end plug. Can anyone suggest a source for these items? Also,
what's the best way to thread the hole in the larger tube to accept the height
adjustment screw? For heavy loads, perhaps it would make sense to drill a
series of holes in the smaller tube and use a screw or pin that would extend
through both tubes. Or perhaps someone knows of a source for ready made
assemblies like this?


http://www.reidtool.com/
They sell lots of different feet.

With respect to the finishing process, I've check with local shops that do
blating and powder coating, and all were expensive. I'm wondering if there are
larger shops that will group small jobs together with a larger customer's
powder coating job, in order to reduce setup costs. Thanks!


There is very little setup cost to powder coating, unless you want a
custom color.