Hello all. I have a client who owns a small Rickey sculpture. The installation crew used some 1/4" tie-wedge concrete bolts in the tile floor to secure it. They are way too short and because of the tapered tips, the nuts barely are engaged. The whole piece is not secure as a result. Especially when you add a washer to the mix.
Compounding the issue is the fact that the underside of the base has a slight bow to it in the center. So it wants to rock a bit.
I'm wondering if there's an easy way to extend the length of these and maybe step them up to a 5/16" bolt? Like a sleeve or hollow threaded rod with a 5/16 exterior and a 1/4-20 interior? Does something like that exist? Maybe I can make them out of stainless rod?
I can't move the piece or drill new holes. The mechanics of this kinetic sculpture are such that it needs to stay exactly where it is to avoid architectural elements.
Looking for some ideas here. The client isn't keen on adding a build-up to solve the problem either. I can't add shims to stop the rocking until there's more threads to secure it. Frustrating as I'd only need another 1/8" or so of length to solve everything. *shakes fist at previous installation crew*
Hi James,
The one thought I have comes from (of all places) Ikea. I'm specifically thinking of the washer nut combination the is part of the knock down fastening system with the threaded sleeve of the nut engaging the threads that are in the hole and below the surface. The main question is whether there is sufficient room in the hole to accommodate them. Like these.
Good luck!
Hi Jamie! Thanks for the tip, this is a great simple solution for sure! Only issue is the OD is near 3/8" and the holes in the Rickey are 3/8". Those 1/4 bolts are nowhere near straight and dead center. So I have a suspicion I wouldn't be able to engage all four.
But! Maybe I can just make my own using 5/16 rod and tap it. Then just weld on a cap stolen from another fastener.
Thanks again for taking the time!