Hi, I would like to make an aluminium or steel frame - has anyone done this before or has advice on where to get the parts/how to begin?
measurements as note to myself: Width: 40 centimetres
Length: 60 centimetres
Hello. Yes, people have done this plenty with welding some square stock (tubes) together in a square. Aluminium isn’t currently possible but it will be in the future with an upgraded welding machine (TIG welding).
Currently, the metal workshop is out of commission due to the delivery of a new milling machine last week. Feel free to chat with the metal techs and maybe they can help you out with advice and a timeline.
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It’s also possible to get right angle push-fit or screw fitting corner connectors which could be suitable depending on size & strength needed.
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thanks all. I want to frame a doormat, so I’d probably even want to add a UV-protective glass layer once framed. @metaltechs is welding and/or access to the metal workshop possible at the moment? if not, when might it be again? thank you
I’ve done quite a bit of this before - I have some half completed ones sitting in my bedroom (don’t ask how long for!)
It can be quite hard to get a really good 90 degree angle and keep the frame flat in the other axis as well. There isn’t really anything in the space that’s flat enough to clamp to. I picked up a welding square that works nicely and you can do a pretty good frame even with only one of them. It’s threaded so you can srew tabs in, clamp to them and then you get squarness in three planes - couple of pictures to illustrate.
Let me know if you want to borrow it!
Cheers!
L
(not a metaltech) As far as I’m aware there’s nothing stopping anyone using the metal workshop, there’s just stuff on 90% of surfaces and the lathe needs levelling. If you’re willing to step over things it should be usable today
@stefanoromano might correct me here on the openness of the workshop
Depending on how much strength you need you could sidestep a lot of effort by using extruded aluminium - there are sites that’ll cut it to the exact lengths you need then you can use various connectors and bits to fix it together
A lot of people do that for home made 3d printers & mills, it’s basically just like mechano 
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I made a bicycle frame from aluminium square tubes and fasteners.
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Hi there. Have made many frames from aluminum and steel. They can be relatively cheap, especially if you select mass produced “systems”. I am a Gas Engineer and Electrician, so have completed many such framework projects, especially for commercial clients. Typically no welding is required.
What is the end goal/use for the frame?
I think you want something more aesthetically appealing, but if you just want structure, Google Makerbeam and Openbeam. these are extruded aluminium that Sean might have been referring to, I think. I’m planning to make a 3d cube frame using it, but it’s not the right metal for a picture frame (but still worth knowing about!).