[TowerTalk] Anchor bolt material

[Jim Lux]

On 10/12/14, 12:23 PM, Ray, W4BYG wrote:
> While I don't have detailed specifications, I know from experience
> heating drug store sulphur to a liquid and pouring it into such holds
> provides an extremely strong bond to the the bolts and concrete.   As
> the molten sulphur cools, it expands and locks into the hole and around
> the bolt.
>
> The process is quite easy although smelly, during the heating.  I used
> an inexpensive  smelting pot and a butane torch.  The result was an very
> good bond for guy anchors holding up a 70' tower with a Mosley S-402 40
> meter beam on top and a CL-36 tribander, 15' below.    The cost is
> virtually nothing.
>
> I was clued into this by an old time professional machinist who told me
> this was how they locked heavy, vibrating, machinery down.  They never
> had a failure, nor did I.
> Ray, W4BYG
>


I was thinking about this on the drive into work this morning. Sulfur 
used to be a way to do things like installing parking meters (which need 
to be secure, but also replaceable, because people back over them).

I don't know how strong it is, though.


$50-60 for a 50 lb sack/pail, which makes it substantially more 
expensive than redimix concrete in sacks.  However, probably a lot 
cheaper than epoxy.

$500/metric ton in 10 ton lots..


There are also wedgelock bolts designed to mount in holes.