Weight capacities of ACME rod?

admin

Hi all, I want to make a small, height adjustable table. Roughly 2' x 3.5' since that's what I have for C-channel slats.   Thinking I can do it with, say a 1/2" acme rod in every corner, to telescope some tubing up and down.  Would probably need a way to pin it at different heights also...So...would 1/2" acme rod be strong enough for a hobbyist table?   Would 1/2" or 5/8" cold rolled rod make strong enough pins?  I don't envision placing a lot of weight on this, but I'd rather not find out if I didn't build it sturdy enough. Thanks.
Reply:Use a hitch pin.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Up and down with 1,000 lbs. weight on it, or just the weight of the table surface?  The threads can take all kinds of weight, but not if it ends up being a tall, narrow column between supports that can buckle."USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:The other thing you could use is trailer jacks. You can get them pretty cheap that are rated for a substantial amount of weight. Maybe less than the time it would take to build them from scratch. 1/2" or 5/8" acme rod would be plenty strong enough if you do build them. 1/2" pins would be quite sufficient.
Reply:I remember seeing a table similar to what you have described beingused by tool and die makers. Theirs had wheels and they would slideheavy stamping dies off a press onto table and wheel it into shop to work on the die. I don't remember diameter of screws ,but I'm thinking they were about 3/4". But this was capable of lifting weight oftable and more than 500lbs of die. Each screw had a sprocket, and a chain ran around the sprockets.  One thing I found interesting was that there were two shafts you couldattach the hand crank to.Shafts had different size sprockets. Small sprocket for lifting heavy loads,and large sprocket for rapid height adjustmentwith no load.  I like the trailer jack idea.   I'm not convinced  pins are necessary.Miller a/c-d/c Thunderbolt XLMillermatic 180 Purox O/ASmith Littletorch O/AHobart Champion Elite
Reply:Some info here.  Under compression, it sounds like the rod bending is more of a concern than what the threads can handle.https://www.roton.com/resources/appl...ering/loading/I used 1-10 rods on my  table.
Reply:

Originally Posted by R. Danneskjold

Some info here.  Under compression, it sounds like the rod bending is more of a concern than what the threads can handle.https://www.roton.com/resources/appl...ering/loading/I used 1-10 rods on my  table.
Reply:Thanks for the responses, everyone. I found this: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=281866 on Garage Journal.  Guy has a larger table than what I want to build, and if his 5/8" Acme system has failed, he hasn't reported back.  I'll have to pour through my scrap and see what I actually have.  Don't think I have the right sizes of tube to nest legs, but I don't have the budget for a trailer jack on every corner either.   Could probably get one 5K trailer jack for the center, and then pin the legs, but wouldn't be able to individually level each corner, unless I also got some threaded feet.  If I decide to go with Acme rod, it seems I could get what I need for just a bit more than one 5K jack. Might visit the local auto parts scrap yard and see what I can find for scissor jacks.  Thanks guys.
Reply:From what I remember of ACME threaded rod capabilities are that it will hold any weight you can stack on it or hang from it plus the weight of a Roadrunner, but the same given weight plus a Coyote equates to catastrophic failure.
Reply:Sometimes its cost effective to grab something that is already made.  Consider a Harborfright hydraulic lift table; 1000lb capacity for ~$250 before discount coupon.  The huge motorcycle lift tables are only about $400 clams; a few modifications and it might make a great welding table.  I like building stuff, but when you consider time, the cost is way out the window.  Time is money!https://www.harborfreight.com/1000-l...ift-68892.html