I was wondering if anyone could point me to a good source of information on the web about making awnings. I am getting ready to make some simple ones out of aluminum structural tubing and some sunbrella that I have for fun and to learn. I have the welder, commercial sewing machine, grommet machine, mask... but would love some step by step, tricks of the trade, corner techniques... ... Any info greatly appreciated, thanks guys.
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Information on making awnings.
- Thread starter Salmoneye
- Start date
btropical.com
New Member
MikePro
New Member
on top of aluminum welding, we also fill our seams with Lord's Adhesive and orbital sander it smooth.
Apologies that I'm not full of many tips on this kind of stuff, as we have sheet metal union workers in the shop that are touchy about me handling their gear (and work!)... so I only know the basics.
My best tip would be to not fudge the project survey! we just made some awnings for Rocky Rococo's and one of our service guys survey'd the job 2 feet SHORT! So not only did we under-bill the client, but now we have to make another section and get it wrapped in canvas and get it installed a.s.a.p. on our dime. Our client is happy that we're taking the steps to make it right, but its extra labor/trips that we could have done without.
Apologies that I'm not full of many tips on this kind of stuff, as we have sheet metal union workers in the shop that are touchy about me handling their gear (and work!)... so I only know the basics.
My best tip would be to not fudge the project survey! we just made some awnings for Rocky Rococo's and one of our service guys survey'd the job 2 feet SHORT! So not only did we under-bill the client, but now we have to make another section and get it wrapped in canvas and get it installed a.s.a.p. on our dime. Our client is happy that we're taking the steps to make it right, but its extra labor/trips that we could have done without.
I haven't tried mild steel but I'm betting that the blades wouldn't last long on the typical 40 or 50mm, thick walled mild steel box we mainly use... perhaps 10- 15 cuts before the blade goes blunt as a butter knife. Thin wall stainless 40x 20mm box managed 6 cuts before the blade went pear shaped.
We also have the kind of abrasive chop saw you mentioned earlier... with the right discs we've been to greatly improve the cuts we make. I've toyed with the idea of getting a proper wet bandsaw... a mate of mine has one and it makes very neat, very accurate cuts.
The rage is a good machine.. the offset right hand clamp is especially useful... it's just the blade.. I'm not convinced it's as capable as the manufacturers claim. On aluminium I'm finding that whilst the cuts are pretty clean they're not as neat as cuts made with a fine set TCT blade.