++ ATOT official NEF thread part IV ++

[Red Squirrel]

Shave

I may shave at some point. Probably June.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I may shave at some point. Probably June.

no dont get rid of the mane

 

[T_Yamamoto]

shift almost over

 

[Red Squirrel]

no dont get rid of the mane

I usually do shave for the summer, though every summer I debate on keeping it year round. Might just trim instead.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I hate how oddball stuff is so hard to find in Canada. Trying to find some special lag bolts in stainless steel, can't find any online stores that sell them here, but keep finding tons in the states. I found some on Amazon but they will take too long to ship. I canceled the order because the ETR was like on the 27th. I kind of want these before there's snow on the ground and before temps drop to perma freezing as it's for an outside project that involves drilling and don't want to drill in something frozen as it can crack. Home Depot had some but super crappy selection, and not enough of one type. I need like 10. They only had like 5ish per little drawer. It also does not specify what they're made of. I need stainless.

I might have to change my design so it can work with whatever I can find here.

Also what is up with online stores that have no option to buy? I see that so much, it's so annoying.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I gave in and re-ordered the bolts off Amazon. Seems to really be the only option I can find. Just have to be patient and wait till they show up. Might still get a day where I can install them. Failing that it will go to next year.

Suppose to rain next weekend so no matter what I can't do it then and have to wait a while anyway. So maybe by the time I get a day with no rain where I'm also off, they will have showed up.

 

[zzuupp]

Thankfully somebody is going to stay down in cackilacky land.

Forecast is down to 3-6 with maybe,just maybe 45 wind gusts

I'll lose power. Just because, this neighborhood always does.

 

[zzuupp]

Keep the rivers in their place

 

[bigboxes]

moo

 

[bigboxes]

Keep the rivers in their place

That is a wild pic. Italy?

 

[bigboxes]

I hate how oddball stuff is so hard to find in Canada. Trying to find some special lag bolts in stainless steel, can't find any online stores that sell them here, but keep finding tons in the states. I found some on Amazon but they will take too long to ship. I canceled the order because the ETR was like on the 27th. I kind of want these before there's snow on the ground and before temps drop to perma freezing as it's for an outside project that involves drilling and don't want to drill in something frozen as it can crack. Home Depot had some but super crappy selection, and not enough of one type. I need like 10. They only had like 5ish per little drawer. It also does not specify what they're made of. I need stainless.

I might have to change my design so it can work with whatever I can find here.

Also what is up with online stores that have no option to buy? I see that so much, it's so annoying.

You can't just order a box of them from your local hardware store? All you have is Home Depot? HD is ok for a lot of stuff. It's like the Walmart of home improvement. But if you need something specific nothing beats a local hardware store. Well, that and Amazon.

 

[bigboxes]

moo

 

[bigboxes]

nite moo

 

[Red Squirrel]

You can't just order a box of them from your local hardware store? All you have is Home Depot? HD is ok for a lot of stuff. It's like the Walmart of home improvement. But if you need something specific nothing beats a local hardware store. Well, that and Amazon.

Selection was too poor, only had a couple versions and they were too small, and not stainless (didn't specify so maybe it was stainless but didn't have a magnet on me to check)

This is what I ended up going with, will just have to wait as they only arrive on 27th.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00JDU3NIO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'll figure out the proper nuts/washers once I get them, not as concerned for those, though it would be nice to get all stainless bug beggars can't be choosers.

Canadian Tire also had one on their site that looked promising but showed as out of stock here and could not find an option to order.

Basically we have Canadian Tire, Home Depot and Home Hardware. There's a couple smaller places like Ace Hardware and Tooltown but doubt they would have had anything if the big ones didnt. It's not a type of bolt that is often used.

 

[Red Squirrel]

nef. So tired. Had trouble falling asleep last night, was like 4am last I looked at the clock.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Just realized those bolts I ordered are probably 3 inch total, not 3 inch lag screw length. So they are too short... they will work, just not as strong. But since the wind gusts won't hit as hard at the wall I think I'll be ok.

 

[sdifox]

Err who uses stainless bolts? Galvanised all the way.

 

[bigboxes]

morning moo

 

[bigboxes]

moo

 

[bigboxes]

 

[bigboxes]

moo

 

[Red Squirrel]

Err who uses stainless bolts? Galvanised all the way.

Stainless is stronger. The bolts that go into the wall and hold the unistrut are the main critical components as they will take the brunt of wind gusts. The rest matters less as there will be more anchor points from there. Solar panels are basically giant sails so whatever fastens it to the structure needs to be super strong. I'm thinking 10 penetrations spread out should hopefully be ok.

 

[sdifox]

Stainless is stronger. The bolts that go into the wall and hold the unistrut are the main critical components as they will take the brunt of wind gusts. The rest matters less as there will be more anchor points from there. Solar panels are basically giant sails so whatever fastens it to the structure needs to be super strong. I'm thinking 10 penetrations spread out should hopefully be ok.

Err how thick is the bracket for the panel? Having bolts that can hold down an elephant is not going to help if the bracket jus shears off.

Add punched zinc steel bar on the attic side and use that to spread load by bolting to it. Beef up the bracket somehow.

Example

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbil...c-Plated-Punched-Square-Tube-803047/206939537

Also hardened steel is stronger than stainless steel.

https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/Materials-and-Grades/Bolt-Grade-Chart.aspx

 

[Red Squirrel]

There's 4 brackets per panel, making 16 brackets total. More anchor points. There will be 10 bolts total for the whole structure. So they are more critical. Sure I could have just used like 20 bolts but trying to minimize penetrations through the siding as each one is a potential leak point. Will caulk the hell out of it and use some form of rubber gasket. (maybe ones used for garden hoses, or whatever I can find).

The stuff you linked to is also not available at the .ca version of the site. Can't find a way to buy on that bolt depot site either. Not sure if they are Canadian or not though, does not really say anywhere. Ran into it while searching but didn't see much on it.

Basically I took what I could find, and Amazon had the best option.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Holy crap I under estimated how hot it was today and didn't start my A/C until I got home. It's 27 in here. Sweating like crazy.

Warm days are numbered though. Soon we'll be shoveling snow and having to let the car warm up to go anywhere.