We have recently seen an increased focus on the topic of anchor bolts and threading. In a previous blog entry, we discussed considering the thread length of Anchor Bolts with excess thread on the exposed end. Based on the intentions and needs of particular steel fabricators, this topic may or may not be applicable to your business (of course, we’ll manufacture the Anchor Bolts to any specification required.)

The Steel Supply Company manufactures Anchor Bolts and Turnbuckle Rods every day… and that’s also how often we see Anchor Bolt Drawings calling for threads that appear unnecessarily long. With regards to the exposed end, extra thread length is requested so the fabricator can be sure there will be sufficient thread for the washer and nut to “bottom out” regardless of any problems with positioning.

Featured Steel Project: Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial, St. Paul, Minn.

From the basic Teflon® Slide Bearing under a joist flange or between two steel members, to the miles long Oil Pipelines requiring hundreds of Slide Bearings with Stainless Steel backing plates, Teflon® keeps appearing on plans in many different forms. Before even designing the dimensions and configuration, the engineer has to first consider the environment the bearing will need to function in.

One of our primary product lines, Slotted Steel Shims, just got bigger. We’ve added 10” long and 12” long to our inventory.

Merit Award: Circuit of the Americas Observation Tower and Austin 360 Amphitheater, Austin, Texas

The Clevis Rod and the Turnbuckle Rod offer the ability to provide tensile strength by increasing their tension as they are tightened. The tightening is done by opposingleft and right hand threaded rod connections. In the Clevis Rod drawing shown below rotating the threaded rod overhand towards the installer it will draw the two Clevises closer, creating more tension. Rotate the Rod overhand away from the installer will move the clevises away from each other, relieving tension. 

Landscape Evolution Observatory at Biosphere 2 in Oracle, Arizona.

Typical Teflon® Slide Bearing Assemblies are made with 3/32” thick Fluorogold® bonded to a 1/8” thick backing plate. (Note: These dimensions can be changed to any size and thickness required.)

Often our Steel Fabricating customers require shims and choose them without considering material options. Slotted Steel Shims are the default selection. Typically stamped from grade A-36 or grade 50 steel they offer tremendous compressive strength.