A Rim for the Deck

OK, maybe a little paranoid, but better safe than sorry.

The deck is made of 16 ga steel, about 0.060" thick.  Some commercial decks are 10 ga ( ~0.130" ), but I didn't want all that weight.  A compromise is to strengthen the bottom edges with a strip, I used two pieces of 1 inch 12 ga ( ~0.104" ) steel.  One piece goes all the way around, about 5 ft long ( 22 inch diameter - chute width ).  The second piece is only 3 ft long and covers the front half, 3 o'clock to 8 o'clock.

Clamps!!!

Bottom side tack welds

Topside/Outside View

The straps were wrapped around a steel disc about 20 inches in diameter and persuaded with a large hammer to stay curved.  The million clamps were needed to hold the strap tight all the way around with minimal gaps while welding.  Each ring was tacked separately every few inches.

This combo nets about 1/4 inch of steel in the front and sides, plus about 3/16 everywhere else.  This should provide substantial insurance against errant dings.

It started to rain while I finished the welds, so the paint will have to wait.