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Securing 2-Post Rack to Floor

post #1 of 6
Thread Starter 
I am about to secure a 2-post Tripplite rack (http://www.tripplite.com/en/products...xtModelID=3208) in a media closet in our soon to be finished new construction home. The holes in the bottom plates are 3/4" in diameter.

Am I better off doing 5/8" carriage bolts all the way through the hardwood and subfloor and securing the bolts with nuts from the basement or trying to reduce down the size of the hole diameter (find washers that will fit) and do a much smaller lag screw (3/8" or even 1/4") and just securing it into the hardwood and subfloor?

Never done one of these and the tripplite directions don't give me any pointers.

Thoughts?
post #2 of 6
You should use bolts. Put a 2x backer board under the subfloor too, attached to the floor joists if possible. Those racks can put a hell of a lot of torque on the anchors. You may want to anchor the top to something too. The two post racks can be wobbly, especially if loaded with heavy equipment.
post #3 of 6
Well, that rack constitutes quite a long lever acting against those relatively short mounting plates. I would have to do an engineering analysis the likes of which I don't have time for to give you a good answer as to what would be best.

There is no question that using bolts through the subfloor with appropriate washers can give you a stronger and safer installation than lag screws. Lag screws are limited by the holding strength of the threads in the wood. Through bolts are limited primarily by the strength of the bolt. Don't count on the finish floor for anything. It isn't structurally secured to the subfloor. You may need to add a doubler beneath the subfloor to get it stiff enough to keep the rack from rocking more than you like.

IIWY I would use grade 5 bolts that fit the holes in the base, big fender washers and a doubler.

IMHO the top should be secured. But the product seems to be designed to allow use without doing so.
post #4 of 6
Thread Starter 
Thanks guys. I'll stick with the 5/8' bolts and washers and take a look when I'm at the house Friday to ensure it's all covered.

I'll be putting in typical A/V stuff, receiver, blu-ray, bunch of control4 stuff, mac mini server, sonos, couple switches, DTV stuff, power. 45U should be enough. I figure a couple hundred pounds on the rack.
post #5 of 6
Thread Starter 
Oh and the bolts are grade 8 vs. the standard grade 5.
post #6 of 6
Grade 8 should be OK in this case. Grade 8 is stronger, but not always a better choice. Grade 5 bolts will give some warning when they reach their limits because they will stretch a bit. Grade 8 bolts are harder and often just break when they reach their limits. In your case, either will probably start to crush your subfloor well before reaching their limits.
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