Building Rip's Power Rack

[PaulK]

Hi Rip,

I've started building the rack and using the PDF, just a quick question about the rack bolt pins. I can't tell from the drawing how the pins stay in the holes on the uprights. Looks like a threaded bolt with a welded washer on the front, do you put a nut on the back and tighten the nut up to keep it stable or does it just sit in the hole?

Currently have the C channel cut to length and going to drill the holes next. I'll try and take some pics as I go and post the results. Looking forward to having it at the house to train with. Thanks for sharing the plans.

Thanks, Paul

[Mark Rippetoe]

It's a 1 1/4" x 6 bolt with a nut and a welded washer. Is the nut not in the plans?

[PaulK]

Thanks Rip, I didn't see it in there.

[PizzaDad]

following, because I want to see the pictures. This might be a worthwhile project once I move.

[John Watson]

It's a 1 1/4" x 6 bolt with a nut and a welded washer. Is the nut not in the plans?

Minor niggle on the plans, it specs out a 1 1/8" bolt instead of 1 1/4", obviously 1 1/4" would be a better fit in the 1 3/8" holes.
It also indicates the 6" length to the top of the bolt head instead of the length of shaft underneath the head, as is generally the standard.

Most builders would figure this out, as well as to use a nut to hold the threaded bolt securely in place.

[PaulK]

Yeah, noticed the the bolt size vs hole over the weekend. Is there any reason I wouldn't want to make it an even closer fit, a 1 1/4" bolt and hole?

[Mark Rippetoe]

As I mentioned, the bolt is 1.25" x 6".

[Satch12879]

Yeah, noticed the the bolt size vs hole over the weekend. Is there any reason I wouldn't want to make it an even closer fit, a 1 1/4" bolt and hole?

You always allow some margin between the bolt diameter and the hole diameter. The American Institute for Steel Construction (AISC) specifies a minimum 1/16" variance. In steel construction, this gives you wiggle room to fit the frame together and account for temperature effects. You never want the hole and bolt to be the same size if you want the bolt to actually fit in the hole.

[Espen Lund]

You always allow some margin between the bolt diameter and the hole diameter. The American Institute for Steel Construction (AISC) specifies a minimum 1/16" variance. In steel construction, this gives you wiggle room to fit the frame together and account for temperature effects. You never want the hole and bolt to be the same size if you want the bolt to actually fit in the hole.

Precisely. All parts have tolerances, and if the tolerances "go the wrong way", the bolt wont fit. This is called hole clearance and is typically between 1-2 mm radial clearance depending on your needs.