building a raised deck

[dgarnier]

I am build a raised deck on my duck boat. I have some 1"x1" 1/8 tube I will be using. The previous deck was made of steel and was two square frames with 8 support legs holding the top up. I am tring to make this light as possible so I am wonder if I were to just weld up the top square and then make the 8 risers and just have them rest on the floor rather than building another square to rest on the floor and weld the risers to. I was think I could weld in cross bar to help keep everything steady. Seems like there won't be much weight savings with the cross bracing.

[Paul Moir]

If you have some aluminum plate you could make gussets for the legs which would surely be light rather than square cross braces. I guess it depends on how tall it is since you're going to need strength in both axis on each leg if they're very long, so you can't just break one off.

8 legs and all 1" frame doesn't seem like the lightest way to make it: I would think 4 legs and heavier top frame (like 1.5"). That way you can brace each leg in both axis like a table. But if all you have is 1" tube I guess lots of legs is the way to go.

[dgarnier]

the deck is only 12 - 20" tall, so I like the gussets idea, and I have some 3003 1/8" sheets left over from the floor and deck that should work nicely.

As for the 1" tube, the price was right, but just not for this project. I still picked it up and will use it for the legs, but I am going to keep my eye out for some 1"x3" tube to use on the floor support. I will then use the 1"x1" for the legs, and will start with 4, 1 in each corner and see is if there flex is too much. If it is then I can add a fifth leg to the middle of the deck, then if its still not solid enough I will add the other 4 legs.

This weeks project is to make some pads for the end of the feet. I was thinking a 3"x3" with the edges bent up slightly and to help spread the load out a bit.

[scootarida1]

Do you have any pictures of what your talking about. I might be able to help you out more with a picture.

[bigjoeinkg]

I would put some plate on the bottom of the support legs to spread out the force to a larger area. Don't want the legs to puncture the bottom of the boat. You would hate to loose your favorite shotgun. Not to mention the new jokes at hunting camp!!

[dgarnier]

Already tipped 1 boat twice and just about sank another....I will try and get some pics, but there is not too much to look at right yet....the nice thing about hobby work is I can put it off till it cools down a bit

[scootarida1]

yeah well i was saying i might be able to come up with something so you can make the deck rather than a finished picture of the deck. agreed about using something with a larger surface area so you dont puncture the bottom.

[dgarnier]

for the pics I was going to put the top and bottom of the old steel deck up to see the template I am working from.

[scootarida1]

yeah that will help and also a picture of the inside of the boat so i can see what your working with