[TowerTalk] Rhn 45 bolts

[Matthew Kaufman]

On 9/3/2015 10:37 AM, Matthew Kaufman wrote:
> On 9/3/2015 10:16 AM, Richard Lightner wrote:
>> Later this year I am going to erect a Rohn 45.  Before I start this 
>> job, I
>> have been checking everything on the ground to be sure all is good.  I
>> discovered that the bolts that connect the tower sections have been hot
>> dipped in zinc.  They are very tight, and I think that it might be too
>> difficult to tighten them on the tower when I am 30 feet or higher.  
>> Should
>> I take a tap and die to clean out the threads?  Lock washers were not
>> included.  Should I get some zinc ones before I start this job?
>>
>
> The manufacturer of an outdoor safety-critical structure has included 
> outdoor-rated safety-critical hardware for assembly and you're 
> thinking about replacing it with cheap bolts from the local hardware 
> store that will rust before the first winter is out?
>
> Seems suicidal to me. Please make sure the tower can't fall on anyone 
> else when it does.

And on the off chance your comment about getting some zinc ones only 
applied to the lock washers,... do the specifications call for lock 
washers and did the manufacturer supply the appropriately-rated and 
weather-resistant ones? If not, the remainder of my comment above still 
applies should you choose to add them.

Matthew Kaufman