Been planning to put this together for a while now, but finally getting around to it. First ever DIY/Construction project so excuse the basic questions.
Picked up the lumber today, but was a bit confused with the hardware.
No SS hardware long enough, but they did have hot dip galvanized.
Looks like everyone is using hex head bolts, but couldn't find anything with the length needed. Only carriage bolts. Would that work? Just tighten the nut to embed the square anchor at the head?
Also for length. By my math, the longest bolt is for the base when it goes through 4 sections of 2x4 (outside rail, spacer, upright/support, outside rail) for 8" of wood. So I'd need at least the 9" long bolt?
No SS or Hot Dip Galv. eye bolts. Just zinc plated. Good enough?
Has anyone tried the base legs on a hinge? If you turn them sideways and attach them with a hinge to the base you could just fold the legs against the base for transport.
I used a paddle bit to bore out about half an inch on each side...that allowed the nut and bolt to be recessed flush against the faces of the 2x4 they were going through. That bought me the extra length I needed, and ensured that my gear wouldn't catch on any bolts sticking out...
I like that idea. I would suggest using a hinge an each side of the base leg. The inboard hinge is the one you fold with. The outboard hinge is used to secure the leg in place. Pull the pin to fold, and replace it when the legs are deployed. If you do this you'll need 8 hinges total.
In effect, one hinge of each leg becomes a releasable angle bracket.
Sorry for multiple posts... Just thinking if you wanted to save weight, you could secure the legs with 550 cord instead of using the extra hinges. Just run it from one leg, around the end of the base to the other side leg and tie it off. Anything to stop the leg from foldin while your hanging.
But that extra hinge also would strengthen the joint so i'd prefer that method.
So I finally got around to getting this stand put together!
First building project so I didn't know 2x4 aren't actually 2"x4"! All bolts ended up being oversized! No matter, it all still went together.
So in the OP, the user was able to fold the stand. I can't do that as the stabbing guides block the opposite arm from folding down. Do you guys have it loose enough to push them around?
Last. I made the notches on the upright fairly deep. I'm no structural engineer (just a lowly mechanical one), but from the look, the brace is taking the load left by the missing notch. Any issues?
Test hung it and it feels good. Can finally get some experimenting done with the set up.
Yup, traditionally, 2X4 is the rough cut dimension, they are smaller after planing smooth...
Nice unit! I also thought about the notch, but since I went with 2X3 frame, I didn't want to chance it...
I'd guess that you won't have any problems with 2X4...but you could do what I did in my first testing...wear a motorcycle helmet...
I am not an engineer, but I do have 25 years of experience in commercial construction.
My gut feeling says that notches that deep will be prone to failure. I would replace them or at least install a metal "strap" on the outside edge to take some of the tension off.
Hopefully I'm wrong, but I would not feel right not speaking up.
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