Recent content by balddave

I see two issues here, first a "commercial" issue if you will. You paid for a certain strength to meet a design you paid for. If you're getting less, then at minimum the compensation should be adjusted, at most you should get what was paid for. The second issue is safety as you questioned. The...

I just walked down this path for my fathers portable construction grade compressor. Bought a ball valve and fittings, but before I had the change to install, I happened down the walmart tool aisle of all places, and there it was, a 5$ bosch brand ball valve specifically for draining tanks...

with 1/8" plate on the outsides jointing the flanges creating the "|I|" shape it goes to about: 217,000 inlbs = 18,000 ftlbs = 3tons at the end of the handle. BUT, I'd caution on this one, there could be some buckling with that 1/8" plate which that model doesn't account for, so I wouldn't...

I couldn't resist.... I drew up a quick beam, to your specs, 10" tall, 4"flange, 1/4" thick web and flange, added 1/4" plates top and bottom extending 1" beyond the edges of the beam on all sides... the results: it would take ~3,750 inlb = 313 ftlb = 104lbs at the end of the three foot...

Good point on the void it would be difficult to seal, and insulate, although I don't see it being too much different from a pole barn. Also it would be wider than the wall itself, which poses some other slight problems. But I don't understand what you mean by building on the concrete, I need...

Hey all, long time lurker here. I'm looking to build a 30x40 garage in western PA. I saw an ad in the local paper for a company whose website describes what they call an "outdoor wood foundation". Basically, put some posts in as one normally would for a pole barn, run treated skirt boards on...

Well executed plan! I'm concerned with the aluminum tho, did you give any consideration to fatigue? Even if you're below a stress limit of aluminum its only a matter of time before it fatigues and gives out, it might not be for 100's of years in which case you're well past the usable life of...

OK lets put aside the fact what maybe should have been done. I think this place more so than any other I'm familiar with could view this as a challenge to find the best way to proceed. You put down gravel below concrete anyway, and the concrete and sometimes gravel is elevated a few inches...

Guys, I read the through the original thread on the other forum. The most important thing that many are missing is the difference between stiffness and strength. Stiffness is the deflection that occurs due to a load. Strength is the load at point of failure. The OP, said that adding the 2x4...

I just picked a light up for my kitchen from: http://www.barnlightelectric.com/ Have a pretty good selection of stuff, service was pretty good, there was a mix-up of sorts and it was delayed in shipping, but after that was settled arrived very soon. Will definitely do business with in the...

I definitely disagree here. There is a lot of difference when you raise the car 5-6 feet off the ground and start wrenching on it, you will be generating large moments (like torque) and these will result in tension of the concrete. Moments kill when it comes to qualifying materials. Additionally...

This is true, except that fine threaded bolts have lower thread shear areas, meaning they will pull out easier. In general: If you are loading a bolt in shear...fine will be better If you are loading a bolt in tension...coarse may be better depending on length of engagement

Are you interested in adopting? I know of a 23 yr old that would love for you to take him under his wing...you don't even have to feed me... In all serious though this is very similar to what I've been considering building shortly here when I buy my house. I love the steel beams for the...

Ah the engineer in me is pulling out the calculator... 6ton * 2000lbs/ton = 12kip force 12kip / 4 = 3 kip (double shear on 2 bolts = 4) (3/4)^2*pi/4 = .442 in^2 3kip / .442 in^2 = 6.8ksi 36ksi * .4 = 14.4ksi allowable based on A36 steel rod 6.8 / 14.4 = .472 < 1 therefore you'd be fine...