An idea for you fabricators

[sam 8]

We are down to paint, the door and finish electric for the final on my 720 sq. ft. addition to my shop. To say I am happy and excited is an understatment. The idea of this 1320 sq. ft. playhouse has been stirring in my head for about 20 years. Now it is nearing reality. After the final inspection there will be some "modifications", but I thought I'd share some of what I did that might give you guys some ideas.

I plan to use this place for fabrication, etc. With that in mind I wanted some tie-down locations in the floor for a number of reasons, holding things, straightening steel, etc. I sized out my personal choice in a lift, and went to work.
As the excavator was digging out the slab, I had him dig four holes about 2.5 ft. square at both ends and centered on both sides of the footprint of the lift, about 18 inches away from it.
Then, I bought a chunk of heavy wall 2x4 box steel, and cut it into 5 inch lengths. I drilled a hole about an inch from on end, and ran a grade 8 9/16 bolt through the steel, sliding it through about 14 inches of grade 8 9/16 logging chain. I welded a couple of 1/4-20 nuts to the inner corners of the box, and made some temporary covers for the units.
Then I welded up a rebar framework to the whole works and set them up to ride about 1/4 inch below the final height of the slab. After that, I penciled out a schematic of where they were going to be under the slab.

Then, after we poured, I took a deep breath, tapped around with a hammer, and found all 4 right where they were supposed to be. Dang lucky!

Now, I can hook a come-along, binder, etc. to any of this positions, and crank on it without fear.
We are going to grind down about 1/8 inch out about 4 inches all around the boxes and make nice flush-fitting aluminum diamond plate covers for them, and secure them with stainless button head bolts.
If you are going to pour, and plan on doing frame stuff or other fabbing, perhaps this will be something for you to think about this.

 

[Steve in Mi]

The tie-downs can be very handy for sure. I don't have them but know a few that do. I bet if you if you ever do it again there will be a drain in each one to keep them from becoming a rusty mess. Up north the water filled tie-downs tend to freeze and cause damage in unheated garages.

 

[sam 8]

Steve, I thought about a formal "drain", it is a good point.
What convinced me I didn't need them is the solid block of concrete they are surrounded by, about 2 ft. deep underneath. Hopefully that'll seal them.
This shop will be heated, and I don't generally hose my workspaces out. Too much gear to move.
Your point is well taken, tho. Time will tell.

 

[Steve in Mi]

I see you didn't put any poly down so I assume you are high and dry (well drained) so this may not apply but I actually know of one instance where the 4" pipe with tie-downs fill with water from seepage thru the concrete in the Spring of the year. Don't know how much cement he had below but it seems a safe bet there was no poly water barrier. Another negative of our Michigan Winters is the salt that comes in with ice and snow on vehicles - doesn't help if that salt finds its way into the tie-downs either, rust rust rust.

Hope yours work well for you.

btw, I'm also a proud dad of two sons on active duty.

 

[jamm]

That's a novel idea. I wish I'd thought of that before I poured my floor.

Just a couple of comments for anyone thinking of doing this that comes to mind after seeing the pic above.

If you weld rebar to anything make sure to preheat it otherwise you are taking a chance of crystalizing the rebar resulting in weld failure. Or use weldable rebar. If you are worried about that, then just drill holes through the tube and slide the rebar through the holes.

Also make sure that the rebar attached to the tube is located underneath the regular rebar or mesh mat. This will help strengthen the area and provide a higher safety factor resisting pull out.

How about some finished pics showing your covers?

 

[fourfeathers]

"btw, I'm also a proud dad of two sons on active duty."

Thank them for me. I appreciate my freedom.
(I'm also a veteran, but not like the kids in now. These kids joining with active conflict going on are braver than hell!)

 

[sam 8]

Thanks guys...

Steve, there is vapor barrier, didn't put it down tll after the welding was done. We don't have anything around here like the ground water problem you describe.
I will post up some finished pics when we get there.
Jamm, I should have mentioned the crystalization issue. This is the right stuff.
fourfeathers, Thank You. My Nephew just went back into harms way recently.

 

[kbs2244]

The aluminum diamond plate sounds like it will look good.
But they will be a pain to pick up.
If you go with painted steel you can have them fit tight but use a magnet to lift them put of their nest.

 

[toxicz28]

While I admire inginuity, why not just buy some anchor pots?
https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/p-11538-14233.aspx

 

[sam 8]

Well, I didn't know the made them, but I still like makin' my own stuff if I can.
Moreso the older I get...LOL

 

[Steve in Mi]

While I admire inginuity, why not just buy some anchor pots?
https://www.autobodytoolmart.com/p-11538-14233.aspx

I don't get it. If you admire ingenuity why do you suggest the cookie cutter approach? Not everybody wants a Prowler, some prefer a custom (as in, one of a kind) car.

ingenuity

1. Inventive skill or imagination; cleverness.
2. Imaginative and clever design or construction: a narrative plot of great ingenuity.
3. An ingenious or imaginative contrivance.

I think saving about a $100.00 is clever, don't you?
{I think the costs of floor plates and shipping will about cover material for the home grown tie-downs} Making them yourself is a added bonus to those that enjoy that sort of thing (me included) - priceless.

And maybe I only misunderstood.

 

[toxicz28]

I think saving about a $100.00 is clever, don't you?

All depends on how much the materials cost and how much you (or the OP) value(s) your time.

Time + Materials x quantity = $$$

I'm not trashing the OP for making his own. To design and bring to finished product takes skill. But given the cost of premade (even with the "new" floor plates) I feel that the $115 + $20 s/h is worth it in the time it would take to gather the materials and do the fabrication.

 

[Steve in Mi]

toxicz28, I'm sure that the link you posted would be of benefit to others that don't enjoy or want to fabricate there own.

 

[toxicz28]

Steve,
You're missing my point. It's not about wanting to, or enjoying fabrication. I've fabricated enough things in the past to save money and get exactly what I wanted, and enjoyed every minute doing it. It's about time spent vs. money saved.
If it took him a day to design, purchase the materials, and fabricate his anchor pots, that's a day that something else that would have needed to be done in the build was put off (ie. slab poured 1 day sooner). I know the pride of craftsmanship isn't there with a store bought pot, but to me, the time saved in buying the pots and being able to work on another part of the build outweighs the $135 price tag.

 

[Steve in Mi]

Steve,
You're missing my point. It's not about wanting to, or enjoying fabrication. I've fabricated enough things in the past to save money and get exactly what I wanted, and enjoyed every minute doing it. It's about time spent vs. money saved.
If it took him a day to design, purchase the materials, and fabricate his anchor pots, that's a day that something else that would have needed to be done in the build was put off (ie. slab poured 1 day sooner). I know the pride of craftsmanship isn't there with a store bought pot, but to me, the time saved in buying the pots and being able to work on another part of the build outweighs the $135 price tag.

I don't think I missed your point at all. You want to put a price on everything even the time spent fabricating the tie-downs to people that like/enjoy building them. We have both admitted to being DIY fabricators. If you like to go fishing, do you charge yourself for the time you spend fishing and maybe for the worms you dug eventhough you and the robins won't miss them and the time it took to dig them. Perhaps you can't even go fishing because it would take away from some other activity you deem more important. We live on this earth for a time and I've given myself permission to perform some activities that may not be understood or make much sense to others just because I want or like to. Will I spin my wheels sometimes, probably, but it will be my decision. Gee, I might even pay $135.00 to someone that would otherwise prevent me from doing my thing. (Isn't that what golfers do for a cart and 36 holes).

So you see, for me, it is about wanting to and enjoying fabrication and not about time spent vs. money saved, (be it safe, legal and not jeopardize life or limb). I care less if anyone follows - each to his own.

 

[toxicz28]

If you like to go fishing...

"Sorry son, I can't take you fishing. I have to fabricate anchor pots today."

Get it now?

 

[Steve in Mi]

"Sorry son, I can't take you fishing. I have to fabricate anchor pots today."

Get it now?

I respect your position and believe me I do understand it. It just isn't for me. Do you get it.

Now you are headed in a different direction (above quote) and the way I handle things of this nature is to put family ahead of my relaxation and the enjoyment I will have in making the anchor pots when I have opportunity to fabricate them.

sam 8, my apology for letting this get off topic. I'll be looking for updates on your build.