NEED HELP ATTACHING TO BASE

David,
I wonder if you could use a "T" nut? It may not be terribly "convenient" when the bobcat needs to be removed, but I believe you could do it. IDK... just spit ballin.

 

A T nut is used in woodworking generally, and in the furniture industry.
Google it and it will come up immediately with pics (if you don't know what I'm talking about). I won't be able to describe it in any way that's going to make sense...LOL.. so look at a pic. I'm sure you've seen them. Any hardware store should have them.
I can't be sure that they're available in the size you need for your rod. You'd just have to see.
Anyway, I thought you might drill the proper size hole through your top to accomodate the T nut and drive it in from underneath before permanently attaching the top. Then run a normal nut (or two) up the threaded rod coming out of the bobcat all the way to the paw. If you use two nuts snugged up to each other they will bind and lock for you. Then thread the threaded rod down through the T nut until it bottoms out on the nut(s) under the paw. The part that sucks about it is you'll either need to spin the bobcat or spin the base to attach and detach. This may be a deal breaker for you... I don't know. I've been trying to think of a way around that, but I'm not coming up with anything. If my explanation sucks, PM me and then maybe I can be more clear (phone). If you don't like this idea, maybe at least it will provoke a better thought or discussion. Respectfully, Tom

 

You could maybe put a piece of wood cross bracing inside the base just below the top. Then drive a screw thru the top into that to hold the top on. When you do your habitat just have a small stick over the screw head that could be removed to access the screw the head.

 

Take a piece of flat stock steel in the shape of a c fit it in the inside of the round base screw thru the tabs in to the round base drill and tap the steel and screw the round base on to the ped.

attached is a basic pict.

 

Do yourself a favor and go with your first idea, square tubing. No more rotating. No more breaking habitat getting the threaded rod out when it sticks, or wobbling loose with a big hole. No more trap doors to get in with a nut and wrench.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I would agree that using square stock might be your best solution. Maybe you can find square tube which will fit over the threaded rod (may have to grind off some threads). You can drill a few holes in strategic locations in the side of the smaller male square tube to spot weld it to the rod inside. Grind off any area of raised weld to keep it flat. On bottom of the round top secure a 4x4" block with screws and glue. This can be curved on both ends to fit snugly sideways to the inside of the round bottom pedestal. It should be drilled in center (aligned with rod) to accommodate a larger female square tube which can be anchored using urethane construction adhesive. Making the female and male tubes longer (beyond the block) will keep it more secure IMO. The top can then be permanently fastened to the bottom or you may want to make it so that the snug fitting top can be seated into the base for easy future removal or secured with a couple hidden set screws from the side.

 

Welding at this time is really risky with the heat traveling up the rod and into your mount.

 

How long is the threaded rod sticking out? You could possibly get away without welding and still use square tubing. Slide a piece of square tubing over the rod with a washer next to foot, just a tad shorter than the rod. Fill tube with epoxy place, rod into tube, Place a flat washer and nut on end of rod. snug up, let epoxy kick, grind off enough of washer so that it will fit inside of the bigger end in the base.

 

Should be no issue even 5 inches away with a few tack welds.