Maxjax anchors outdoors

[cunninglinguist]

I'm thinking of mounting my Maxjax outside and use only on sunny days here in rainy Vancouver, Canada. I will bring it back indoors to store. I have read some others have done this as well but mostly in southern sunny areas.

How do you think the carbon steel expansion anchors that came with the Maxjax will hold up in the wet weather? Do they lose its gripping effectiveness when it starts to rust? What if I covered up the holes, would that help?

 

[INTMD8]

I don't know the answer to your question but if I was doing what you plan to do I would use epoxy anchors instead of wedge anchors and just keep the exposed threads covered in anti-seize.

 

[T_R]

I'm thinking you probably would want to put bolts in the hole when not in use. Probably coated in neverseize or fluid film even. Maybe with a copper washer on them to seal. You still risk water coming up from underneath from hydraulic pressure in the ground.

 

[nholmes]

So the first things I think of are:
-

1. The expansion and contraction of concrete over time due to the temperature fluctuations and how that impacts the friction created by wedge anchors
2. Corrosion on the steel over time
3. Debris in the anchors

All solvable problems.
-

1. I personally would want to avoid the wedge anchors in concrete that will see temperature fluctuations over a certain range (I'm not an engineer) as concrete and steel expand and contract at different rates. I would do some research into epoxy anchors and their use in your climate.
2. Corrosion of the steel might be mitigated with high quality steel or simply going with stainless anchors. You can try and coat them with something as simple as Vaseline, as you just want a barrier between the steel and the elements.
3. Debris is the easy problem to solve. As mentioned in other threads, you can pick-up some hex socket threaded nylon plugs. Nylon Hex Socket Flat Point Set Screw, Nonmarring, 5/8"-11 Thread, 3/4" Long work perfectly. I don't really know how well anti-seize plays with threads and torqing them down to 95 ft/lbs. I use them on wheel lugnuts without issue, but I don't know if there are any long term issues with using them in something like the post of the maxjax.

 

[matt_i]

I would use Jet Lube Kopr Kote copper based anti seize for any metal fasteners used in this project outdoors, stainless or not.

Typically there is an equation for how much bolt load you get for a given amount of torque. However its impacted by friction in the threadform. Rusty jagged bolts will torque to spec while giving a lower load, smooth bolts with anti-seize friction reducing lubricant will give more load for the same amount of torque. Personally I wouldn't worry about the greater bolt load, the corrosion resistance would be well worth it in my thinking.

If there is any chance of freezing I would pick epoxy anchors. The epoxy will seal the blind hole and prevent any sort of freeze-spalling, whereas a wedge anchor has plenty of open space for water to accumulate. in the blind hole.

 

[Serj_DMR]

I would use Jet Lube Kopr Kote copper based anti seize for any metal fasteners used in this project outdoors, stainless or not.

Typically there is an equation for how much bolt load you get for a given amount of torque. However its impacted by friction in the threadform. Rusty jagged bolts will torque to spec while giving a lower load, smooth bolts with anti-seize friction reducing lubricant will give more load for the same amount of torque. Personally I wouldn't worry about the greater bolt load, the corrosion resistance would be well worth it in my thinking.

If there is any chance of freezing I would pick epoxy anchors. The epoxy will seal the blind hole and prevent any sort of freeze-spalling, whereas a wedge anchor has plenty of open space for water to accumulate. in the blind hole.

So the first things I think of are:
-

1. The expansion and contraction of concrete over time due to the temperature fluctuations and how that impacts the friction created by wedge anchors
2. Corrosion on the steel over time
3. Debris in the anchors

All solvable problems.
-

1. I personally would want to avoid the wedge anchors in concrete that will see temperature fluctuations over a certain range (I'm not an engineer) as concrete and steel expand and contract at different rates. I would do some research into epoxy anchors and their use in your climate.
2. Corrosion of the steel might be mitigated with high quality steel or simply going with stainless anchors. You can try and coat them with something as simple as Vaseline, as you just want a barrier between the steel and the elements.
3. Debris is the easy problem to solve. As mentioned in other threads, you can pick-up some hex socket threaded nylon plugs. Nylon Hex Socket Flat Point Set Screw, Nonmarring, 5/8"-11 Thread, 3/4" Long work perfectly. I don't really know how well anti-seize plays with threads and torqing them down to 95 ft/lbs. I use them on wheel lugnuts without issue, but I don't know if there are any long term issues with using them in something like the post of the maxjax.

matt/nholmes,

You both bring up excellent point. While myself and Mr. Holmes will probably never have to worry about freezing temperatures in sunny California, you "smooth talker" may be subject to them. I would highly recommend either the epoxy anchors or using a seal of caulk around the expansion anchors where the anchor meet slab or both even! The use of sealed plugs or plugs with some form of anti-corrosion lube/treatment cannot be stated enough in this scenario.

If you have any further questions, feel free to reply or call us on the main line. 877-432-6627

-Serj,

Dannmar Tech Team