[TowerTalk] Yet another used W51 (base/foundation) ??? de K6LPM

Fri Jun 9 20:20:04 EDT 2017

Well said, Chris.  Actually, 1/2x4x4" angle is enough - works for a 
HDX589 with 4x 1" bolts.;-)    UST multi pass welds that custom bent 
angle to their reinforced "T" base.

I've made said design base scaled down for 40' Tri-Ex crank up, and now 
am working on one for an LM470.  A turkey sandwich is a better deal even 
with the holes drilled on my 5hp mill and steel cut on a horizontal 
bandsaw.  Everything needs to align after the welds cool and that takes 
some skill.   The reason I need to make the LM470 base is the garage 
shop job for the prior owner made one badly out of square & flat & on 
the light side structurally.  NIMBY.

Relatively speaking the fab is straightforward and the engineering is 
definitely not.  I've done simple structures, and these aren't, but good 
copies of the factory bases well executed with the proper materials 
should/might be ok.  Caveat emptor 'tho.  For example Brian,  how do you 
know the factory plates are "mild steel" and also the grade of the rebar?

Grant KZ1W

On 6/9/2017 16:34 PM, EZ Rhino wrote:
> In the amount of time it took you to type out this treatise, you could have called Tashjian Towers, ordered a new base, and then still had time left over to walk into the kitchen and make a nice turkey and swiss sandwich, and consume said nutriment.
>
> If you're still wanting to build your own, there is a no-weld solution that involves anchor bolts set into the wet concrete during the pour, and a very large piece of 1/2" plate steel with holes drilled for the anchor bolts.  Then another set of holes are drilled for very large angle, like 3/4" thick, where one side of the angle bolts into the base plate and the other side bolt to the tower.
>
> By the time you're done trying to bore a dozen or more 3/4" diameter holes through steel that thick, you're going to be wishing you had made the phone call and eaten the sandwich above.  Make the call, thank me later.  :-)
>
> Chris
> KF7P
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> On Jun 9, 2017, at 15:50 , southbound suarez wrote:
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> Seems as if there's a huge proliferation of these towers out there. I'd dare say probably record production compared to any other Ham/private consumer tower if you exclude the 25G series.
> That said,
> Does anyone have any plans or instructions or essentially a how to recipe for fabricating or securing this old Tri-Ex crankup tower to a foundation? Ideally some specifications for specific material type selections (metallurgy) , size/thickness and retail sources for these materials? Welding requirement as well as what design considerations or possible critical failures that a DYI guy should be aware of?
> I am well aware of and respect the fact that this is indeed a critical application and that there exists some major risks including major liabilities. The possibilities of a catastrophic failure places strong risks in the form of severe property damage,; great bodily injury and possible death.
>   I believe in good conscious that I have a healthy respect of these facts. While I am a very handy person with good mechanical apptitude and experience in construction trades, I know enough that I am far from a proper mechanical engineer. I have much to learn of actual loads , stresses and best practices.... Experience and hardknocks does have some merit similiarly does common sense (usually an oxymoron) especially judgement or understanding.
> Obviously, "Rocket Science" can be applied to anything and make for great efficiency, betterment and overall greater safety.  (So much better the hit over miss ratio)
> I CAN APPRECIATE THE NUMBERS BEING CRUNCHED! BUT.....
> When you look at the designed base of what this tower was shipped when purchased brand new and even the same with what is being provided by manufacturer today? Engineering practices and formulations set aside... The Base appears as if it is just three 2" wide by 12" long 3/8" mild steel plates. The plates tab welded with full bead along there length to about a 24" length of rebar. Each plate/rebar upright are then  welded to a triangular formed rebar horizontal member. This is then conventionally  tie wrapped to the structual rebar concrete reinforcement... Doesnt seem so exotic or rocket science to me???
> I do understand that there might be some subtle but important things not so obvious. I consider that there exsists certain forms of weldable rebar and that heat will anneal steel. Especially mild ductile steel plates. Certain critical welds must adhere to specific standards...
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> I fully respect the reasoning for good uniform codes and standards. I understand about professional peer review and adoption of professional standards.....
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> Maybe to everyones benefit we can get a good and educational discussion going on here. Maybe there's some esteemed slide ruler type that could give the class a presentation on some of the basic physics and caculations. For those industrial insiders that govern over the art and practices, how about a quick review of the most pertinent and applicable sections of the numerous plethora of codes and overlapping professional disciplines in which contribute to the structure of radio amatuers affection.  AND..........
> Selfishly and ultimately educate me on how to best construct/obtain/procure the basis (or bases) <pun> for constructing my own foundation to bolt my second hand W-51 tower into an upright position that is useful (safe) and reliable all on my own.....
> MY SPECIFICS ....
> This will be a non-inspected install with at least 100ft setback in all directions. No structures or pathways in peril .... simply a private install on private land with minimal intrusion by local governing officials...
> None the less,  I do wish to meet or exceed proper building standards.
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> Thanks for reading my lengthy and intial posting as a new member of your excellent and esoteric community.
>
> 73,
> Brian K6LPM
>
> Brian
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