Looking for Particular Size Mending Plate/Bracket, I'll Pay You €20 if You Find It!

blobert

Hi Guys,

Quite an unusual request.

I'm looking to join a bunch of 2 pieces of metal that look like the blue ones here (if you imagine putting one on top of the other):



The two pieces join at the midpoint of the keyhole shape, here's an outline of what it looks like with the 2 pieces lying touching, they touch/join in the middle:



Now what I'm trying to do if possible is to get a couple of mending plates/brackets/(not even entirely sure of the word which makes it harder to find them) that look something like this:



I would then bolt this in place to strengthen the join (it actually does not need to be that strong for what I need it for) so it would look a bit like this:



It could also go to the next hole above below (so covering 5 instead of 3 holes) if needed.

The gap needed between the holes on the mending plate/bracket would need to be pretty much exactly 4cm for them to line up. Or I guess you could even have somthing with an 8cm gap to join above and below the actual join. The holes in the mending plate would need to be about 4-5mm max. The plates would be best to be about 1-3mm thick.

I've spend absolutely ages trying to find such a thing but without success, very few give the measurements between the holes and they are often not evenly spaced. But it's very possible I'm not searching for the correct thing, or someone else might know if it's somthing that's likey to exist. Would need to get a couple of hundred of them if they do exist.

More than happy to pay anyone €20 by PayPal that can steer me in the right direction (if such a thing exists)

Thanks for reading!

The Sidewards Man

Just let the top one slide down along side the lower one and bolt them together? Don't be complicating things.

Yawns

Here's a quick example.

http://www.woodiesdiy.com/Product/flat-perforated-plate-35-x-100mm-3mm-thick-galvanised/14493/1.5.2.8

Hardware shops will have them in various different sizes and shapes so best bet is to head in and check them out. Local hardware shops as well as the likes of B&Q and woodies etc will have them.

Another thing to bear in mind is the shelving units like in Aldi etc often come in the option of having 2 units side by side or stacked on top of each other to make a taller shelving unit. In order to stack them, they provide joining plates. Added 2 pics below. In order to turn pic 1 into pic 2, some plates were provided which slot into the holes.

https://www.aldi.ie/en/specialbuys/hurry-while-stocks-last/hurry-while-stocks-last/ps/p/heavy-duty-shelving-1/

cletus

Can you not just bolt them together with a couple of big washers either side?

Otherwise buy some flat bar and drill the appropriate holes

blobert

Hi Guys,

Thanks very much for the replies, I really appreciate them. With regards to suggestions

(1) Overlap the existing beams and fix with bolts: I'd thought of this but I don't think it will work. I'm basically looking to build shelves like in the first picture slightly higher. The are constructed using beams/metal frames as in pic. If I were to join by overlapping the beams it would make the new smaller shelving unit on top slightly bigger or smaller (depending if put inside or outside the one it's sitting on top of) and I suspect this would cause problems with assembling it, they are machined to be pretty exact dimensions.

(2) Yawns: On the perforated plate suggestion that is pretty similar to what I was looking for, but again the issue seems to be getting somthing that will match up with the gaps. On the joining plate, that was my first port of call but the ones for these units only have 2 joiners and so it wont work with where the join is on these, it would need to be 3 tall to get a proper grip above/below it

(3)Big Washers: That's actually a good idea, I'll try it out. Only worry is that it's not as likely to be secure as it's only attached on the joint as opposed to above/below also. Like I say the shelves will not need to be that secure, these upper ones are going to contain very light stuff, but I need to be sure they wont collapse either!

Thanks again, I really appreciate the suggestions!

eeguy

I don't know what tools you have access to, but could you get a length of the L bracket, flatten it out in a press, cut it to length then split it along the fold line into many brackets?

M.T.D

If you have any of the uprights spare just saw off pieces 5 holes long and use those as joiners. The "keyholes" won't line up exactly but there should be enough of each hole showing to put a small bolt through.

cletus

So your stacking shelves vertically, and the uprights can't overlap? Sorry I got the impression they were going side by side. If you can get a length of mild steel flat bar, you can drill the holes where you need, and you could run a length both internally and externally, to increase rigidity

Calahonda52

I think the wording is Shelving upright extension
https://www.google.ie/search?q=shelving+uprights+extensions&safe=off&client=safari&rls=en&biw=1986&bih=1275&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi7k4TVy-vMAhVKCsAKHZppCt4QsAQILA

You need to be very careful here, especially if shelving is not properly fixed to the wall to keep it from toppling over either out or side to side

the difficulty with the example is that the corner is rounded, as opposed to being a nice square.
What I would do is have the join in the middle of 2 shelves, say 300mm apart.
Go to woodies or b&q and buy a few pieces of Alu angle, with at least a 3mm thickness that will fit either internally or externally, and then strap all four connections, full height, drilling to suit, using 8mm bolts with ny-lock nuts

blobert

Thanks again guys, I appreciate it.

I'm going to be doing this for about 100 shelves so about 400 joins so unless there is a simple way using parts I can buy it wont be feasible, it would take so long in terms of labour if we had to go sawing bits of metal/drilling holes in them

I tried a nut/bolt with big washer but it did not hold well at all, would not be safe.

I'd say best bet would be trying to find a mending bracket that fits (or at least has quite an overlap to hold it in place) or selling all the shelves and buying taller ones.

cletus

With those numbers could you get a local engineering company to make a batch up for you

colm_mcm

What's the distance between the 2 holes?

blobert

Thanks Colm, it's 4cm from the middle to the middle of each one if that makes sense.

@cletus, any suggestions who might make these?

cletus

Where are you located

colm_mcm

These ones seem to be 38mm between holes 1+3

http://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/flat-straight-brackets-mending-plates/3975014/

using very up to date measuring equipment

the_pen_turner

a local hardware store sells brackets and plates in all sizes. I think simpson strong tie make them .
I get a local engineering company to bend them any way I want them .


im sure that a local steel fabrication place could easily cut out a blast of them.

you could get some light angle iron and drill it your self.


where are you based.

colm_mcm

These ones are 40mm between holes 2+5 too, but are longer so probably more secure

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/4x-150mm-6-ZINC-PLATED-Mending-Plate-Bracket-Straight-Repair-Fixing-Joining-/311558991089

johncal2009

I worked in engineering for a while, and we have used this racking a lot, I think its called DEXION, maybe the company can help they are a big firm, we got many parts from a scrapyard!

kmb

As the racking looks light could you not use 2x2 timber vertically and screw in 4 x50mm self tapping screws each end?
Or alternatively 4" or 6" x 2" across the side for more rigidity?
It should be faster and easier with no holes to line up.

johncal2009

Dear kmb
You could certainly use wood, but I would suggest you get some flat bar the same width as one side of your racking, and drill the holes yourself. I would suggest at least 5 holes 3 seems too few, and in time screws could pull out of wood I hope I am on the right track!

mikeymouse

something like this?
but I think they are for joining bays horizontal not vertical

http://www.bigdug.co.uk/products/big800-pack-of-4-blue-tie-plates-to-join-2-bays-pp15970

Looking at again they are lateral joiners
but you could ring Big Dug

Tails142

Not to be a nervous neddy but.... >:-)

Be very careful about extending racking like this beyond what it is designed for, you can probably make a judgment on this yourself based on how high and what weight you will be putting onto it but ensure that you consider buckling when extending upwards like this.

blobert

cletus wrote: »

Where are you located

I'm in Dublin thanks

blobert

Tails142 wrote: »

Not to be a nervous neddy but.... >:-)

Be very careful about extending racking like this beyond what it is designed for, you can probably make a judgment on this yourself based on how high and what weight you will be putting onto it but ensure that you consider buckling when extending upwards like this.

You're absolutely right, I'm going to build a test one first to see.

These shelves are designed for up to 340kg per shelf and 5/6 shelves, so 1500kg+ in total

I'd estimate, even if they are extended from about 2m to 3m total weight on each shelf would be circa 150kg, ie we are storing very light stuff on them. We will also attach adjacent shelves together using these: http://www.bigdug.co.uk/products/big800-pack-of-4-blue-tie-plates-to-join-2-bays-pp15970 and in some case attach to wall.

So we're only looking to do this if it's safe and secure!

blobert

mikeymouse wrote: »

something like this?
but I think they are for joining bays horizontal not vertical

http://www.bigdug.co.uk/products/big800-pack-of-4-blue-tie-plates-to-join-2-bays-pp15970

Looking at again they are lateral joiners
but you could ring Big Dug

Thanks, the actual shelves are from Big Dug, they say they do not have anything suitable for this.

The joiners were my first port of call but they don't work, you'd need one that was 3 holes tall as the one in the middle (there the 2 beams actually join) is not secure, would need to be held above and below.

blobert

colm_mcm wrote: »

These ones are 40mm between holes 2+5 too, but are longer so probably more secure

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/4x-150mm-6-ZINC-PLATED-Mending-Plate-Bracket-Straight-Repair-Fixing-Joining-/311558991089

Thanks very much, when I scale that to actual size none of the gaps seem to be 40mm, and between hole 2 and 5 seems to be 80mm (makes sense as it's about half length of 150mm bar)

Sadly the other one you suggested would probably not work well too as it would only go about <1cm above the join, which may not be that stable (a bit like the big washer option I tired)

But I think if I can find one like this where I can get 2/3 bolts into it it will work well.

blobert

I think I've found somthing that might work: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/2x-150mm-6-Flat-Steel-Brackets-Straight-Mending-Plates-Repair-Fixing-Joining-/360894476841?hash=item5406fcb229:g:oB8AAOxyhXRTNyHn

Just about 390 mm gap from 1st to 2nd hole (so that can cover the gap) and the next one up should (just about) fit into the hole above, so we'd have 3 points of holding it and a fair bracket to help make it more solid

I've ordered a few to try it out, will let you know if it works

Thanks again for all the help thus far I really appreciate it!

blobert

Just as a follow on, and forgive my stupidity here, what is going to be the easiest way to attach these in place. The shelves are already upright so I/someone else will be up a stepladder trying to hold them in place and bolt them on. I found the bolt washer and nut combo I tired already to be very awkward, I had to hold the nut in place at the back with a wrench while tightening the bolt with a screwdriver and also trying to hold the 2 beams in place.

Is there some simple way that I can bolt them on using one hand while holding the beam in place with the other? I feel as though there may be some kind of basic nut/bolt technology I may be unaware of that would make this simple!

Thanks again

colm_mcm

keep the bottom one intact, attach on your vertical bars, then click the top shelf on and work downwards adding on more shelves?