In many construction projects, particularly where wood or steel structural materials are going to be used on a concrete foundation, J bolts are used to connect the two. The shape of these bolts makes them ideal for this job, allowing the hook or the curved bottom of the “J” shape to anchor with the rebar or in the concrete while the shaft is threaded to allow for tightening the structural material. For these types of construction projects, the size of the bolts is determined based on the specific building code for the area. This may be the IRC or the International Residential Code or a code specific to the construction location. Another common guideline in use is the Residential & Light Construction Standards. Knowing what code to use will be critical not only to be able to pass inspection but also for safety. Diameter and Length All codes will specify the diameter and length of J bolts required for the given use of the bolts. For the majority of construction types of applications, the minimum diameter is usually one half of an inch. The length of the J bolt needs to take into consideration both the depth that the hook will be inserted into the concrete as well as the height above the surface to accommodate for the material to be attached to the slab. There will also need to be enough height for the shaft over the surface of the attached component to allow for the washer and nut to be secured. In most applications for residential construction, the bolt should be embedded at least seven inches into the reinforced concrete floor. Custom sizes and shapes of J bolts can be supplied by some manufacturers. These are often required for specialized types of projects and jobs where the standard sizes of bolts are simply not up to the demands of the...

One of the great things about U bolts is that they come in a wide range of different sizes and even different shapes. While most of the bolts have the traditional rounded top, creating the “U” shape, there are other considerations as well. The traditional round top U bolt is ideal for security round pipe or tubing. The shape of the U bolt provides the maximum ability to match the edges of the pipe or tubing and hold it securely in place. With the inside of the U bolt matching the outside diameter of the round pipe or tubing, there is less chance of rubbing or knocking that can result in damage to the pipe as well as potential rattling. Rectangular and Square Tubing In some situations, particularly for running cable or for structural components on trailers, boats or RV’s, it is very common to use aluminum square or rectangular tubing or square or rectangular bar. The difference is that tubing will be hollow while the bar will be solid. The most obvious issue is that the round top on a standard U bolt won’t correctly fit with the square or rectangular shape. The answer this problem is square bend U bolts. These U bolts have a square rather than a rounded top, which allows the square bend U bolts to fit snugly and completely around the shape of the bar or rectangular or square tubing. As with the round U bolts and round pipe or tubing, this matching of the shapes provides a snug, secure fit without any rubbing or movement. Typically square bend U bolts are available in standard bar and square tubing sizes. For specialized types of applications, some manufacturers can design and manufacture custom sizes of these square U bolts including additional widths and lengths to meet specific fabrication or installation...

When it comes to creating custom types of assemblies or holding material together in a secure, tight and reliable fashion in construction and manufacturing, fully threaded studs are often the fastener of choice. The name really describes these fasteners in a clear and concise way. They are also called all thread studs or more simply all thread or threaded rod. There are many different options for this type of fastener from different alloys, different threads and standard and custom lengths. Working with All Thread Working with fully threaded studs is really very easy, which is why these are used in fabrication and construction in a range of different applications. The threaded stud is simply inserted into a pre-drilled hole in either metal, wood or combinations of different materials. The two ends of the stud are then threaded with the correct sized nuts and tightened, providing a very secure hold. It is also possible to use threaded handles, spindles or knobs to create a grip on a component or part. As they can be easily removed using the same process, this is an ideal option for anything that has to be assembled and taken apart multiple times. When the all-thread needs to stay secure, it is possible to use a thread-locking adhesive before applying the nut, handle or knob. This will secure the attachment in place for a more permanent grip that will not need to be tightened to maintain the firm hold required. Cutting Threaded Rod Ideally, purchase fully threaded studs pre-cut to the specific lengths required. As these studs are threaded the entire length, cutting will pose a problem with threading the nut on the cut edge. This is only true if the rod is cut using a standard saw. A better option is to actually grind the threaded rod and turn it as it is ground in a chamfered or sloped side. This allows the nut to slip over the sloped end and then start treading where the threads have not been touched. This saves having to work on the edges to get the nut to thread. Another option when cutting all-thread is to thread a nut so the top of the nut is at the point of the cut. Cut the all thread and then just remove the nut, it will re-work the very edge of the last thread and allow easy threading with the next application of the nut. At R & R Engineering Co., we offer a full line of fully threaded studs in all diameters, threads and lengths required. For more information on our standard and custom fasteners see us online at...

If your California company is looking for help with product design and development, you have two basic options. You could develop new products or features in-house, or you could outsource the work. Today, many companies are turning to trusted engineering firms for these services. In fact, there are a number of benefits to this business strategy. Employee Cost Savings If you already have the right people in place for your new project, it may be best to let them handle it. However, when this is done in-house, your people may spend a great deal more time and effort than planned on, and this could place you over budget. Outsourcing this work lets you control the cost and you are not paying people overtime or extra for what you need. Many engineering companies charge flat rate fees or they have a specific fee structure which is easy to understand. When you receive a price quote estimate for the project, you pretty much know your costs ahead of time and this makes budget planning much easier. Maybe you do not have product design and development professionals on your payroll. Do you really want to hire new employees for such skilled positions? These professionals command high wages because of all the training and qualifications required in California. In addition, this can create a lot of extra work for your HR department. It is usually much cheaper to go with a trusted outside design firm if you need to develop new ideas, services or products. Experienced Professionals You Can Trust When you hire an engineering firm to take on your project, you have the ability to seek out the best possible people for the job. Plus, you can look for companies specializing in exactly what you need. For example, some firms can take care of all your designs and concepts and also provide prototypes or take your designs and develop prototypes from them. Equipment Costs If you are thinking about an innovative design which is completely different from your current line of products, you may need to buy special equipment, computers and software to develop such a project. If space is not available, this could mean expanding your facility and the costs can be significant. If this is the case, it makes a lot of sense to hire product design and development professionals in California who have everything they need to service you. It is not only cost effective, but a good way to avoid a lot of business related headaches in the...