Frequently Asked Questions
Our most common questions for your convenience
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I've noticed on blueprints that some column pipe is specified "42 ksi.” What does this mean?
Steel strength is measured in kilopounds per square inch (ksi). In their book “Structural Steel Drafting and Design,” MacLaughlin and Estrada (2009) explain:
Carbon steels have traditionally been the most economical grades, but they also have the lowest strength or yield point, which is usually measured in kips per square inch of cross section (ksi). (In structural engineering, a kip is 1,000 pounds.) Higher-strength low-alloy steels are stronger than carbon steels, and can be more expensive.
The various grades of structural steel are identified by specifications established by the American Society for Testing and Materials, commonly referred to as the ASTM. In the following, we describe the most widely used steels:
ASTM A36. This is an all-purpose carbon steel, which was the most widely used structural steel for commercial and industrial building construction until the late 1990s. A36 continues to be the steel of choice for plates, bars, miscellaneous sections (M), American standard beams (S), American standard channels (C), miscellaneous channels (MC), and angles (L). This grade of steel has a yield stress level of 36 ksi, and has excellent welding and machining characteristics.
ASTM A572. This is the steel of choice for HP-shapes (H-shape piles) in grade 50 steel. Like A36, this high-strength low-alloy steel may be bolted or welded. (p. 10)
__
“Chapter 2 The World of Structural Steel.” Structural Steel Drafting and Design, by David C. MacLaughlin and Hector Estrada, 2nd ed., Delmar Cengage Learning, 2009, p. 10.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Can you relocate any sign?
Yes, we can relocate any structure no matter the original manufacturer.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Do you install digital faces?
Yes, we install digital faces with our own in-house installation crew.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Can you upgrade a sign manufactured by another company?
Yes, but if the site allows, it is often less expensive to rebuild a structure than to upgrade.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Can you do maintenance on a sign manufactured by another company?
Yes, we can do maintenance on any structure no matter the original manufacturer.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Is there a specific paint you recommend?
We suggest a quality-grade oil or water based industrial enamel. Most paint manufactures offer multiple grades of paint so don’t go by name brand alone.
Have a structure that needs repainting? All Steel can repaint for you.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
How do I repaint a structure?
Use a wire brush, scraper, or medium grit sanding sponge to remove any rust or loose paint. Any spots that have been cleaned down to bare metal should be touched up with primer. Once the surface is clean, we suggest a quality-grade oil or water based industrial enamel. Most paint manufactures offer multiple grades of paint so don’t go by name brand alone. Take the time, whether rolling or spraying, to evenly cover the entire surface. Keep in mind that wind will also be a factor if you paint outdoors. Always check the weather report to ensure you've picked a couple of calm, dry days to repaint! Remember, once you notice rust, take the time to repaint.
Have a structure that needs repainting? All Steel can repaint for you.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
How often should a structure be repainted?
The duration to repaint can vary, but once you notice rust, take the time to repaint. If you paint while the sign is extremely faded but before it rusts, the prep time is quicker and less expensive.
All Steel is known for its two (2) coat paint system, so with every product fabricated in-house at All Steel, you can be assured of longer lasting protection and less maintenance down the road.
Have a structure that needs repainting? All Steel can repaint for you.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
I have structure in a prime location that looks to be in very good condition; I’ve misplaced the original engineered drawing and the company that fabricated it doesn’t have one either. What would I need to do to know whether or not I could mount a digital on it?
With no drawing available, you will want to cut coupons from the torsion tube and section(s) (if there are ring or butt splices) of column pipe, making sure these areas are patched by a certified welder. The coupons must be sent to a testing firm and checked for tensile strength. The other structural members, angles, beams, plates and bolts, will need to be measured as well. All of this information should be passed on to an engineer so they may calculate the upgrades that are needed, be it for a digital upgrade, maintenance, or whatever you may need.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
I have lost the blueprint to a structure I bought from All Steel.
If you have lost blueprints to your All Steel structure, no problem! All Steel works to keep records of every structure they have built for you. If you have the drawing number, invoice number, or All Steel’s job number it will help us locate the records of what we originally built at your location.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
I've noticed on blueprints that some column pipe is specified "42 ksi.” What does this mean?
Steel strength is measured in kilopounds per square inch (ksi). In their book “Structural Steel Drafting and Design,” MacLaughlin and Estrada (2009) explain:
Carbon steels have traditionally been the most economical grades, but they also have the lowest strength or yield point, which is usually measured in kips per square inch of cross section (ksi). (In structural engineering, a kip is 1,000 pounds.) Higher-strength low-alloy steels are stronger than carbon steels, and can be more expensive.
The various grades of structural steel are identified by specifications established by the American Society for Testing and Materials, commonly referred to as the ASTM. In the following, we describe the most widely used steels:
ASTM A36. This is an all-purpose carbon steel, which was the most widely used structural steel for commercial and industrial building construction until the late 1990s. A36 continues to be the steel of choice for plates, bars, miscellaneous sections (M), American standard beams (S), American standard channels (C), miscellaneous channels (MC), and angles (L). This grade of steel has a yield stress level of 36 ksi, and has excellent welding and machining characteristics.
ASTM A572. This is the steel of choice for HP-shapes (H-shape piles) in grade 50 steel. Like A36, this high-strength low-alloy steel may be bolted or welded. (p. 10)
__
“Chapter 2 The World of Structural Steel.” Structural Steel Drafting and Design, by David C. MacLaughlin and Hector Estrada, 2nd ed., Delmar Cengage Learning, 2009, p. 10.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Can you relocate any sign?
Yes, we can relocate any structure no matter the original manufacturer.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Do you install digital faces?
Yes, we install digital faces with our own in-house installation crew.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Can you upgrade a sign manufactured by another company?
Yes, but if the site allows, it is often less expensive to rebuild a structure than to upgrade.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Can you do maintenance on a sign manufactured by another company?
Yes, we can do maintenance on any structure no matter the original manufacturer.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
Is there a specific paint you recommend?
We suggest a quality-grade oil or water based industrial enamel. Most paint manufactures offer multiple grades of paint so don’t go by name brand alone.
Have a structure that needs repainting? All Steel can repaint for you.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
How do I repaint a structure?
Use a wire brush, scraper, or medium grit sanding sponge to remove any rust or loose paint. Any spots that have been cleaned down to bare metal should be touched up with primer. Once the surface is clean, we suggest a quality-grade oil or water based industrial enamel. Most paint manufactures offer multiple grades of paint so don’t go by name brand alone. Take the time, whether rolling or spraying, to evenly cover the entire surface. Keep in mind that wind will also be a factor if you paint outdoors. Always check the weather report to ensure you've picked a couple of calm, dry days to repaint! Remember, once you notice rust, take the time to repaint.
Have a structure that needs repainting? All Steel can repaint for you.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
How often should a structure be repainted?
The duration to repaint can vary, but once you notice rust, take the time to repaint. If you paint while the sign is extremely faded but before it rusts, the prep time is quicker and less expensive.
All Steel is known for its two (2) coat paint system, so with every product fabricated in-house at All Steel, you can be assured of longer lasting protection and less maintenance down the road.
Have a structure that needs repainting? All Steel can repaint for you.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
I have structure in a prime location that looks to be in very good condition; I’ve misplaced the original engineered drawing and the company that fabricated it doesn’t have one either. What would I need to do to know whether or not I could mount a digital on it?
With no drawing available, you will want to cut coupons from the torsion tube and section(s) (if there are ring or butt splices) of column pipe, making sure these areas are patched by a certified welder. The coupons must be sent to a testing firm and checked for tensile strength. The other structural members, angles, beams, plates and bolts, will need to be measured as well. All of this information should be passed on to an engineer so they may calculate the upgrades that are needed, be it for a digital upgrade, maintenance, or whatever you may need.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
I have lost the blueprint to a structure I bought from All Steel.
If you have lost blueprints to your All Steel structure, no problem! All Steel works to keep records of every structure they have built for you. If you have the drawing number, invoice number, or All Steel’s job number it will help us locate the records of what we originally built at your location.
Give us a call at (800) 621-1759
