Is it free, and is my project uploaded?

It is free, with no sign-up. Everything is worked out in your browser; the project is saved on this device only.

How does it choose which bars to buy?

Cuts are sorted from longest to shortest and fitted onto stock bars, leaving room for the cutting disc; it tries each stock length (3 or 6 m, 20 or 24 ft) and picks the one that needs the least steel. The cutting diagrams show where each cut goes.

What do the angles in the cut list mean?

“90°” is a square cut. “45° / 45°” is a mitre at both ends: the length in the list is measured along the long side, and the cut goes towards the inside of the frame.

How is the weight worked out?

From the cross-section of each tube or angle (outer size minus the hollow inside) and the density of steel, 7850 kg/m³; sheets by their area and thickness.

Is the frame strong enough?

The designer warns about common mistakes — rafters or beams spanning too far for their tube, a flat roof, long shelves on a thin frame, a wide gate without a brace. It is not an engineering calculation: for a carport under heavy snow, ask a local engineer.

How much welding wire, discs and paint do I need?

It counts the joints and cuts and gives electrodes (kg), cutting and flap discs, primer and paint for two coats by the painted area — or heat-resistant paint for a grill.

Can I open it in Excel?

Yes: “Cut list (Excel)” downloads a CSV file that Excel, Numbers and Google Sheets open. The PDF plan has the picture, shopping list, consumables, cut list, cutting diagrams, the steps and the views.

Working…

Carport / canopy

Working…

Metal Frame Designer

Design a carport, barbecue grill, loft table, shelving, workbench, gate or firewood rack from steel tube: 3D model, cut list with angles, bars to buy, weight, cost and a PDF plan.

How to use

1Pick a project: a carport, a barbecue grill, a loft table, shelving, a workbench, a garden gate or a firewood rack.
2Type the size you need and the options — roof slope and spacing of posts and rafters, number of shelves, mitred corners, cross bars; the 3D model follows as you type.
3Choose the metal for each group of parts: square or rectangular tube or angle (metric or US sizes), steel sheet, plywood, corrugated sheet or polycarbonate, and the colour.
4See the plan: every cut with its length and end angles, how many 6 m (or 20 ft) bars to buy and how to cut them with the least waste, sheets, roofing, weight, electrodes, discs, paint and the cost.
5Download a PDF plan with the steps and views, or the cut list for Excel. Pull the parts apart in 3D to see how it goes together.

FAQ

Is it free, and is my project uploaded?: It is free, with no sign-up. Everything is worked out in your browser; the project is saved on this device only.
How does it choose which bars to buy?: Cuts are sorted from longest to shortest and fitted onto stock bars, leaving room for the cutting disc; it tries each stock length (3 or 6 m, 20 or 24 ft) and picks the one that needs the least steel. The cutting diagrams show where each cut goes.
What do the angles in the cut list mean?: “90°” is a square cut. “45° / 45°” is a mitre at both ends: the length in the list is measured along the long side, and the cut goes towards the inside of the frame.
How is the weight worked out?: From the cross-section of each tube or angle (outer size minus the hollow inside) and the density of steel, 7850 kg/m³; sheets by their area and thickness.
Is the frame strong enough?: The designer warns about common mistakes — rafters or beams spanning too far for their tube, a flat roof, long shelves on a thin frame, a wide gate without a brace. It is not an engineering calculation: for a carport under heavy snow, ask a local engineer.
How much welding wire, discs and paint do I need?: It counts the joints and cuts and gives electrodes (kg), cutting and flap discs, primer and paint for two coats by the painted area — or heat-resistant paint for a grill.
Can I open it in Excel?: Yes: “Cut list (Excel)” downloads a CSV file that Excel, Numbers and Google Sheets open. The PDF plan has the picture, shopping list, consumables, cut list, cutting diagrams, the steps and the views.