Joining strut

[bluedog225]

Help the slow guy out.

I’ve got two pieces of “normal” unistrut. And a 1/2 bolt and strut nut.

I’d like to join them one on top of the other, in the way shown on the photo.

I’ve got what looks like a pretty thin walled socket. No way is it going to fit into the strut. Not even close.

Am I going to need to attach this differently or with a special fitting? I‘m not going to get it tight enough with channel locks or a wrench.

I could go to a smaller bolt, but I don’t want to.

Shirley I am missing something.

Thanks

 

[BillK]

Jam a screwdriver in there to keep the bolt from turning. Then tighten the nut. If you have an impact wrench all the better.

You could also use an adjutable wrench pushed straight into the bolt head.

 

[35Ford]

We would typically use a 3/8-16 bolt with a spring nut. Plenty of room for a 9/16 socket. I can't remember ever using 1/2" hardware with strut.

 

[gizardlizard]

Yup. 3/8” bolts. We use strut at work like crazy. You can build anything with that stuff

 

[garfunkle24]

If you must use 1/2", either a spacer or stack washers under the bolt head. That or get a 1/2" bolt with internal drive (hex/torx etc).

 

[strutaeng]

There's a special nut with a spring used for that application . Go to Unistrut's website to see what it looks like.

 

[jbfsr]

1/2 allen head

 

[nadogail]

Uni Strut makes and sells a fitting for that. Uni Strut and Super Strut are different, similar to the difference between Coke and Pepsi.

 

[shoot summ]

I'd use a square plate with a longer bolt going into a spring nut on the top piece. That way the strut is supported, not hanging.

 

[Norcal]

What kind of spring nut are you using? There are different flavors but shallow strut can be a PITA sometimes.

 

[PoorUB]

I’ve got two pieces of “normal” unistrut. And a 1/2 bolt and strut nut.

1/2 allen head

That is the only answer if the OP insists on using a 1/2" bolt.

Half the responses didn't understand the question!

 

[mogandave]

Jam a screwdriver in there to keep the bolt from turning. Then tighten the nut. If you have an impact wrench all the better.

You could also use an adjutable wrench pushed straight into the bolt head.

Or VIce-Grips,

And can we get a washer on that for cryin'-out-loud!

 

[Stobal]

I'd use a square plate with a longer bolt going into a spring nut on the top piece. That way the strut is supported, not hanging.

This is the way.

 

[bluedog225]

Thanks all. I’ll bump it down to the smaller size. And look into a plate.

 

[Spencer Was Here]

I have both of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MSNESI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MWLXT6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ycgoat]

Using 3/8” is the easiest, the square washers are easy to get too, or you could flip the back piece around and use longer bolts. They also make brackets.

 

[bluedog225]

I have both of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MSNESI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016MWLXT6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

That’s the ticket. Too bad about the price.

 

[shoot summ]

What is your application for this setup?

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Open end wrench or a crowfoot.

 

[HAP]

1/2 allen head

This is your simplest solution.

R,
HAP

 

[bluedog225]

What is your application for this setup?

Attaching some solar panels to vertical strut. 3/8 will work.

 

[CraigStu]

If you will be doing much of this now is the time for an impact wrench. Either air or battery powered. Jam the bolt head w/ chisel or screwdriver and hit the nut w/ an impact. I know it's different but using an impact in this situation is kind of like putting a nail in w/ a powered gun vs a hammer.

 

[ArcReactorKC]

When I was an electricians apprentice my journeyman said to me in a similar situation "why do you need 1/2" when 3/"8 will hold up the world"

 

[PoorUB]

When I was an electricians apprentice my journeyman said to me in a similar situation "why do you need 1/2" when 3/"8 will hold up the world"

I fought that with HVAC installers I worked with. They would hang a 500 pound air handler on 1/2" rod. 3/8" is good for roughly 2,000 pounds so four rods would hold 8,000 pounds. Then they would use clamp hangers into the angles on steel bar joist. I tried to explain to them that the weak link was the clamp and bar joist, not rod.

 

[Cougar]

Attaching some solar panels to vertical strut. 3/8 will work.

I would like to see the solar project.

 

[bluedog225]

Stand by, work in progress.

 

[kngelv]

You need to use a plate to connect strut together if you want a solid foundation. The method shown in the pic is not good. The plate shown in the pic below will give you a much better base and you can use it your configuration style and will have five mounting points instead of just one.

James