Single Tier Brew Stand

There are times when taking a project into your own hands will not save time, money, or even provide the highest quality product. Unless you’re prepared to do hours of welding steel into place, then you will be fine making it on your own. But if you want it easy done and good, then you should contact your local welding shop. But, the later part will be costly.

It’s essential to build a brew stand that fits your brewing lifestyle, and budget is one of the easiest ways to take your hobby to that next level. The brew stand will become home to your brewing equipment collection. Adjunct supplies and grow as a gathering place for friends and family during the brew day. I’ve designed a range of brew stands, and I’m going to detail the process I’ve used to ensure you get it right the first time.

Things to Consider When You Build  a Brew Stand

1. Budget – Determining your budget is an essential first step. If your budget weren’t an issue, you can buy a custom stand. All brew stands regardless of what design will cost you a hundred dollars and more.
2. Space – You must also consider your area when you build a brew stand. Placing it in a cramped corner will defeat the features of your brew stand.
3. Brewing Goals – Always plan to grow and expand. Always aim a little higher in your build. If you are willing to build a custom brew stand in your home, then you already have the “brewing bug,” and expansion is on the horizon.

Another Advice is the following:

• A single-tier brew stand must be big and strong enough to hold three converted kegs full of water, grains, or wort. Also, a single-tier setup is manageable.  You won’t need to stand on a ladder to do anything.

• If you want it to make it by yourself, the design needed to be simple enough that you could weld it without difficulty.

• You should be able to control temperatures on the HLT, mash tun, and the boiling pot.

How to Make a Single Tier Brew Stand?

If you plan on welding it DIY style, a few basic knowledge for welding must be applied.

First of all, MIG welding is an inexpensive way to fuse larger pieces, while TIG welding is perfect for more delicate, stronger welds. Choosing, either way, welding will take time and can be an arduous task.

How to Weld Gauge Steel in place?

Step -1:

Put on a welding mask and protective clothing. Wear a full-length shirt and pants to cover up as much skin as possible, and cover your hands and feet with insulated gloves and boots. A welding helmet is also required to protect your eyes and face when you’re working. Finally, get extra protection with a respirator mask and earmuffs.

Step -2:

Get an argon-carbon dioxide shielding gas compatible with your project. For the best results, use a gas mix consisting of 2% carbon dioxide and 98% argon. It is available at some home improvement stores or online. Using a shielding gas covers the joint and strengthens it.

For MIG welding, a 90 percent helium, 7.5 percent argon, and 2.5 percent carbon dioxide mixture is much better.

Step -3:

Identify the type of base steel you have. Look for a three-digit number printed on the steel. It may be on a flat part of the metal. If it isn’t available, test the metal by using a magnet and a bench grinder. Match the kind of spark the metal produces to the image on a test chart.

Austenitic steel is a common type of steel and labeled many times in the 300s. It consists of a high percentage of chromium and some nickel, so it isn’t magnetic. Martensitic steels, used for wear-resistant projects. It is magnetic and produces long, white sparks with few forks. Ferritic is very common and labeled as 409 or 439. Its high carbon content makes it magnetic. When ground, it produces white or red sparks with few forks

Step – 4:

Select a filler metal that matches the base metals. Choose which sort of joint to weld. The type of weld you need to make depends on how you plan on joining the pieces of metal. Each joint can be welded in some different styles to strengthen the bond at the joint. Take into account the thickness of the metal and the accessibility of the joint.

Step – 5:

Standard Measurement of 6″ x 2″ x 1.5″ for a single tier brew stand.  Or you can choose from a 1″ x 3″ tubing and 1″ x 1″ with some miscellaneous flat steel or 1″ x 1.5″ and 1″x 1.5″. The type of weld you need to make depends on how you plan on joining the pieces of metal.  If the sheet of metal is thin, then a more extensive, the shallower weld must be made. Likewise, if the joint is painful to touch, you’ll have to melt metal to flow through it. Butt joints are formed when you lay the sheets flat over one another and weld the edges. To fill, it melts the metal around the joint. Using a T-joint or corner joint to link sides close. Because the joint is difficult to reach, to fill it, you need to attach metal above the joint. Lap joints and edge joints are for connecting edges together. You may benefit from using a filler rod to help fill in the gap between the steel.

Step – 6:

MIG Welding:

Using MIG welding when connecting thicker metal parts. A MIG torch has inside a filler wire so that you can do it with one hand. Also, the MIG joints cool fast, but this makes things more fragile. Gas metal arc welding (GMAW) is a long term for MIG welding. Most home improvement stores sell MIG welders. You may also be able to rent one from them.

TIG Welding:

Use TIG Welding to join thinner metals together. TIG welding machines are a little more complicated to use than MIG machines. TIG machines have several settings, so be sure to use the right equipment for your project. Using the TIG torch forces you to work more slowly, too. Use your other hand when dipping a separate filler rod into the liquefied metal. Gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is a long term for TIG Welding. TIG welding can create more durable, more lasting joints than MIG welds when done correctly.

How Long Will it Take to Finish Welding a Single Tier Brew Stand?

Do It Yourself (DIY) takes more time (3-5 Days) rather than letting some local welders do it in 1 day. DIY doesn’t guarantee you the best results. Although, you can ask someone who knows its way through welding to help you. It would cut you from the expense of failing.

Welders can finish in a day, between 8-10 hours. They already have the materials needed and the experience of making it.

How Much Does it Cost (Overall) for a Single Tier Brew Stand?

For DIY:

a least of $450 (mistakes are already covered )

For Professional Fee:

$300-$500. (if you had it painted and refurbished, it might add extra cost)

But, to be specific on the overall cost of items you need to buy to build a brew stand, here’s a peek of its Total:

8 quantity – 1x6x96in common board $3.95 ea. Total $33.50

1 quantity – 1x96in Aluminum square tubing Total $18.60

500 quantity – Box Self-tapping screws Total $4.95

4 quantity – Swivel casters $2.95 ea. Total $11.80

Project Total $68.85

Cost of items I already owned but you may need to buy:

2 quantity – Propane Tanks (filled) Total $100.00 -$ 200.00

2 quantity – Burners (1 Dark Star) (1 turkey fryer) Total $80.00-$120.00

500 quantity – Box wood screws Total $4.95

Cost of luxury items:

1 quantity – Chugger Pump Total $109.00-$150.00

1 quantity – Hanging basket Total $4.99

Total: $298.94 – $479.94

TIPS & WARNINGS:

• Often shift the welding torch at a constant velocity to ensure uniform joining of the metal.
• It’s not necessary to heat steel after welding, but it reduces the possibility of creaking cracks as the joint cools.
• Have your rod in a downward angle, opposite to welding mild steel when using a stainless stick.
• The preheating process does not apply to filler metals, only to base metals.
• For DIY: Welding is dangerous when done without caution. Wear full cover to prevent burns from fires and molten metal. This personal protective equipment includes a long-sleeved jacket, gloves for work, and a mask for welding.
• For DIY: Avoid working in a closed-off or non-ventilated area. The fumes created during the welding process are harmful, so always wear a respirator mask.
  
  You can also check the DIY Mini Fridge Fermentation Chamber to complete your homebrew experience.