How to Build a Bar Joist

Making a bar joist is essential for keeping a heavy roof or floor structure intact. Dissimilar to wood joists, bar joists are crafted into bent shapes and are made from steel. The bar joists are assembled between two long horizontal pieces of steel to create one long joist piece. Metal joists are often necessary on large labor projects. Craft as many bar joists as you need once you have mastered the design process.

Leather work gloves
Safety glasses
Dust mask
10H3-grade steel (length will vary depending on your needs)
Vice
Oxy-acetylene torch
Hammer
Tongs
5-gallon bucket of cold water

Instructions

- 1
  Slide on a pair of leather work gloves, safety glasses and a dust mask to protect your skin, eyes and lungs.
- 2
  Clamp the center of a piece of 10H3-grade steel within a vice so it is in a horizontal position.
- 3
  Ignite an oxy-acetylene torch. Run the torch flame over the body of the steel, 2-inches removed from the short right edge. Move the flame in a continual back and forth motion until the steel is glowing orange. Turn off the torch.
- 4
  Hammer the 2-inch right end of the steel to the left until it forms a 45-degree angle. Hammer continuously with medium pressure until the angle is formed.
- 5
  Ignite the oxy-acetylene torch once again. Run the torch flame over the body of the steel, 2 inches removed from the short left edge. Move the flame in a continual back-and-forth motion until the steel is glowing orange. Turn off the torch.
- 6
  Hammer the 2-inch left end of the steel to the right until it forms a 45-degree angle. Hammer continuously with medium pressure until the angle is formed. The bar joist now resembles a "Z" shape.
- 7
  Grip the joist with a pair of tongs. Submerge the joist into a 5-gallon bucket of cold water for 15 minutes. Repeat steps one through seven to create additional joists.

A DIY Red Carpet Aisle Runner

Wood Finishing Colors for Cedar

Floors & Ceilings