Making Screw Piles Yourself

Screw piles are a popular foundation solution for various construction projects. They are easy to install and provide high strength and stability. However, the question arises: is it possible to make a screw pile yourself? In this article, we'll discuss the materials you can use to make a screw pile yourself, the manufacturing process, and important considerations.

Materials for Making a Screw Pile Yourself

• Steel Pipe

The primary material for a screw pile is steel pipe. It must be strong enough to withstand the load. For DIY construction, you can use pipe with a wall thickness of at least 4 mm and a diameter of 57 to 108 mm, depending on the expected load on the pile.

• Steel Sheet for Blades

Screw pile blades are made from steel sheet. The sheet thickness must be at least 5 mm. The blades provide stability to the pile and help it screw into the ground. • Protective Coatings

To protect against corrosion, screw piles must be coated with an anti-corrosion compound. The most affordable option is to coat the pile with bitumen mastic or epoxy resin.

• Equipment

To make a screw pile yourself, you will need the following equipment:

1. Pipe bender: This device is used to bend metal pipes to the desired angle. It can be manual or electric.

2. Metal cutting device: You will need a metal cutting device to cut the pipes to the desired length. This can be a hacksaw or an angle grinder.

3. Welding machine: To connect the pile elements together, you must use a welding machine.

4. Drilling machine: To drill holes in the pipes for the screws, you will need a drilling machine.

5. Rolling machine: This machine is used to create a conical shape for the end of the pile. 6. Screw pile tips: The tips must be made of a durable material such as steel or cast iron.

7. Anti-corrosion coating: After the pile is completed, an anti-corrosion coating must be applied to protect against rust.

Please note that operating this equipment requires certain metalworking skills and knowledge. It is also important to observe safety precautions when working with power tools and welding machines.

Screw Pile Manufacturing Technology

• Drawing Preparation

The first step is to prepare the drawing. The drawing contains all the necessary dimensions and parameters of the future pile. It is created based on soil data, load, and other technical requirements.

• Pile Manufacturing Preparation

Once the drawing is prepared, preparation for pile manufacturing begins. This requires selecting the appropriate material. Steel pipes of a specific diameter and wall thickness are typically used. Equipment for metal cutting and welding must also be prepared.

• Blade Manufacturing

The next step is blade manufacturing. They can be made of sheet metal or steel strip. The blades are welded to the pile shaft at a specific angle. This ensures secure anchorage of the pile in the ground.

• Making the Tip

Next, the pile tip is manufactured. It can be cone-shaped or pin-shaped. The tip is welded to the bottom of the pile shaft. This allows the pile to easily penetrate the ground.

• Assembling the Screw Pile

After all the pile components have been manufactured, final assembly takes place. All parts of the pile are joined together by welding. The pile is then tested for compliance with technical requirements and readiness for use.

1. Shaping the Tip: One end of the pipe must be sharpened to facilitate screwing into the ground. This can be done using a hammer and anvil, forming a conical end.

2. Attaching the Blades: The blades are welded to the steel pipe. A welding machine should be used for this. The blades should be evenly spaced in a spiral around the pipe.

3. Applying a protective coating: After the screw pile is assembled, a protective coating is applied to its surface to prevent corrosion. Bituminous mastic or epoxy resin can be used. The coating must be applied evenly and thoroughly dried.

• Anti-corrosion treatment

Anti-corrosion treatment of screw piles is performed to protect the metal from corrosion and extend the service life of the structure. Here are the main steps of anti-corrosion treatment:

1. Surface Cleaning: First, the pile surface is cleaned of dirt, dust, grease, and other contaminants. This can be done by sandblasting or chemical cleaning.

2. Priming: Next, a primer coat is applied, which ensures better adhesion of subsequent coats of paint to the metal.

3. Applying the Base Coat: After priming, a base coat of paint is applied, which protects the metal from corrosion. Epoxy or polyurethane paints are commonly used.

4. Applying the Finish Coat: The finish coat of paint is applied to give the pile surface an aesthetic appearance and additional protection from external influences.

5. Drying: After applying each coat of paint, allow it to dry according to the paint manufacturer's recommendations.

Anti-corrosion treatment must be performed by qualified specialists using high-quality materials and in compliance with all technical requirements.