2x4 strength question

[Exterous]

Anyone know how much force would be required to rip an eye bolt out of a 2x4?

(Long story short I need to build a structure to hold a CO2 tank that will hold the tank in place if tries to shoot off like a rocket)

 

[bignateyk]

Is it a bolt or a screw? My guess is the 2x4 would break in half before a bolt would rip out. Unless you are going through the 2" portion of the 2x4 and not the 4".

I would think the best way to go would be to bolt through the 2x4 in such a fashion that it would require the 2x4 to break on its short length before it would pull the bolt out. It would probably take over a thousand pounds to break a 2x4 in half on its short length.

 

[rivan]

Depends on the 2x4. Depends on the threads on the eye bolt. Depends on the direction of the force in relation to the centerline of the eye bolt.

Nowhere near enough detail to answer your first question, but for your problem - over-engineer the shit out of it.

 

[Exterous]

Depends on the 2x4. Depends on the threads on the eye bolt. Depends on the direction of the force in relation to the centerline of the eye bolt.

Nowhere near enough detail to answer your first question, but for your problem - over-engineer the shit out of it.

Thats what I am trying to do. I am just trying to figure out if I need more than one chain.

The 2x4 is just a standard 2x4 from Lowes. The direction of the force would be most likely about 15 degrees off center. Haven't bought the eye bolt yet

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

a whole lot more than 30 lbs

 

[Exterous]

Is it a bolt or a screw? My guess is the 2x4 would break in half before a bolt would rip out. Unless you are going through the 2" portion of the 2x4 and not the 4".

I would think the best way to go would be to bolt through the 2x4 in such a fashion that it would require the 2x4 to break on its short length before it would pull the bolt out. It would probably take over a thousand pounds to break a 2x4 in half on its short length.

I figured a bolt with large washer (to spread the foce out over a larger area) would work better so thats the thought atm.

 

[MotF Bane]

Depends on the 2x4. Depends on the threads on the eye bolt. Depends on the direction of the force in relation to the centerline of the eye bolt.

Nowhere near enough detail to answer your first question, but for your problem - over-engineer the shit out of it.

This.

 

[Fayd]

Anyone know how much force would be required to rip an eye bolt out of a 2x4?

(Long story short I need to build a structure to hold a CO2 tank that will hold the tank in place if tries to shoot off like a rocket)

depends on the bolt and thread size..

anyways, i've heard stories of welding gas bottles going through concrete walls when their top was accidentally knocked off. dunno what a 2x4 would help in that case.

 

[rivan]

Thats what I am trying to do. I am just trying to figure out if I need more than one chain.

The 2x4 is just a standard 2x4 from Lowes. The direction of the force would be most likely about 15 degrees off center. Haven't bought the eye bolt yet

Without really knowing, if there's any question, I would do more than one chain, especially if that's the only thing attaching it to the wall (i.e. it's not in a cage or anything).

 

[the DRIZZLE]

The selection of the eyebolt and washer/backing plate is probably going to end up being the limiting factor rather than the 2x4 itself.

 

[bignateyk]

This setup would probably give you the most strength. If your force is perpendicular to the direction the bolt is going through the 2x4 and the force is parallel to the 4" side of the 2x4.

You would either have to break the bolt in half or break the 2x4 in half on its strongest side to break that. The weak point would probably be where you had the 2x4 itself attached.

 

[IronWing]

Maybe use C channel steel instead of 2x4? That is what I have seen used in many shops.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

+1 on need more info and +1 on overbuild it.

 

[rivan]

The selection of the eyebolt and washer/backing plate is probably going to end up being the limiting factor rather than the 2x4 itself.

I would use a backing plate and two bolts, run the chain through both bolts and around the neck of the tank.

I would also build something to secure the bottom somehow as well. You'll be far better off if you keep the thing from ever falling over or getting any other motion. Once it starts moving (whether falling or whatever) it'll be exponentially harder to stop.

 

[Tsaico]

I know this will hold at least 70 lbs, as I have a similar setup only it holds two bikes, each one is give or take 40 lbs. The thing feels pretty sturdy, so I am sure it can hold more. 2x4's hold up your house, so I am sure it can handle a decent amount.

Update: Ok, it can hold 370 lbs. I weigh 300 lbs, and I can hand from the chain while it is holding the two bikes. I can hear it creaking a little, and can also see it is flexing downward. I would imagine if it was stationary, it would be good, but if it is a weight that is being taken off and on over and over, it would eventually work its way loose.

 

[Exterous]

Ok so interestingly enough there few requirements for CO2 tank storage since its a stable gas. Basically it seems like just protection against tipping is acceptable (not that I am going for minimum requirements here) I didn't get any specifics in terms of pounds but after I told the guy what I was doing he said he'd seen plenty of CO2 tanks for soda fountain machines that didn't even have half of what I was planning on doing for my soda fountain

 

[Exterous]

I drew a quick sketch of my plan

My basement foundation has those recesses in the walls at the top. The recesses are about 6"x12". The bottom sketch is the support that I am placing in there. It will stick out about 2" from the walls but is hopefully less likely to be tipped since its in the recess

I know this will hold at least 70 lbs, as I have a similar setup only it holds two bikes, each one is give or take 40 lbs. The thing feels pretty sturdy, so I am sure it can hold more. 2x4's hold up your house, so I am sure it can handle a decent amount.

Update: Ok, it can hold 370 lbs. I weigh 300 lbs, and I can hand from the chain while it is holding the two bikes. I can hear it creaking a little, and can also see it is flexing downward. I would imagine if it was stationary, it would be good, but if it is a weight that is being taken off and on over and over, it would eventually work its way loose.

Do you know what type of eye bolt?

 

[bignateyk]

What direction to you anticipate the force going based on your diagram?

 

[Exterous]

What direction to you anticipate the force going based on your diagram?

Well - if the regulator blows off then down. My main concern is someone knowcking the tank over. In that case I have much less control over the direction of the force but most likely it would be outwards (perpedicular to the eye bolt) and down to some combination (depending on the results of the bump)

 

[BoomerD]

If you're just going to drill a hole in the 2x4 and use a lag-screw type of eye bolt, it won't hold a lot. If you're going to drill a hole through the 2x4 and use a eye bolt with a nut and washer on the retaining end, it will hole a good deal more, especially if you use a forged eye bolt, not a "bent rod eye bolt." If the "pull" is going to be angular, (not perfectly straight in line with the threaded bolt) then for maximum strength, you should use a "shouldered eye bolt."

BUT, since the CO2 bottle isn't likely to go "rocket" on you like some other compressed gasses, you don't need to engineer this the same as you would if it was an oxygen bottle...and a standard eye bolt (best with a nut and washer) should be strong enough to handle the load.

 

[bignateyk]

Well - if the regulator blows off then down. My main concern is someone knowcking the tank over. In that case I have much less control over the direction of the force but most likely it would be outwards (perpedicular to the eye bolt) and down to some combination (depending on the results of the bump)

I'd say as long as your force is in the X-Y plane in the picture below you wouldn't have anything to worry about. If you had a large amount of force in the Z plane you would probably have to worry more about the 2x4 snapping in half than the eye-bolt ripping out.

 

[Exterous]

If you're just going to drill a hole in the 2x4 and use a lag-screw type of eye bolt, it won't hold a lot. If you're going to drill a hole through the 2x4 and use a eye bolt with a nut and washer on the retaining end, it will hole a good deal more, especially if you use a forged eye bolt, not a "bent rod eye bolt." If the "pull" is going to be angular, (not perfectly straight in line with the threaded bolt) then for maximum strength, you should use a "shouldered eye bolt."

BUT, since the CO2 bottle isn't likely to go "rocket" on you like some other compressed gasses, you don't need to engineer this the same as you would if it was an oxygen bottle...and a standard eye bolt (best with a nut and washer) should be strong enough to handle the load.

Definately nut and washer. Thanks!

I'd say as long as your force is in the X-Y plane in the picture below you wouldn't have anything to worry about. If you had a large amount of force in the Z plane you would probably have to worry more about the 2x4 snapping in half than the eye-bolt ripping out.

Yeah - not too worried about Z axis force - thanks!