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What's the Best Way To Mount This Heavy Thing To This Other Not As Heavy Thing?
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subego
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Dec 24, 2014, 03:11 AM
 
I have this isolation transformer:



It weighs about 23 pounds, and is about the size of a GameCube. As you can see, it has those rails on the bottom for mounting. The rails have four "keyhole" type openings on them.

I want it to be "portable", which means it needs a handle of some type. My thought process is to find an appropriately sized cutting board with a handle drilled in it, and mount it to that.

If I was mounting it to whatever, I'd use bolts and wingnuts, but if I do that on the board, it won't want to lay flat, and will dent what you put it on.

I could countersink them, but then I need an unnecessarily thick board, or use something which is going to be something of a bitch to tighten as it invariably comes loose.

Any ideas?
     
BadKosh
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Dec 24, 2014, 11:09 AM
 
why not just add a screen door handle on the top of the cabinet? Can you remove the metal housing?
     
subego  (op)
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Dec 24, 2014, 07:49 PM
 
That's exactly the type of idea I'm looking for!

Many thanks!
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Dec 25, 2014, 03:30 AM
 
Get some rubber strips and glue them to the bottom.
     
subego  (op)
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Dec 25, 2014, 03:42 AM
 
Aaaand... another idea I wouldn't have thought of.

     
Waragainstsleep
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Dec 25, 2014, 10:22 AM
 
Get a coat with bigger pockets.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
ghporter
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Dec 31, 2014, 08:36 AM
 
I'd have suggested getting a small mover's dolly and mounting the transformer on that. Carrying 23 pounds is substantially less fun than rolling it. You can even put a leash on it and pull it like a little wagon.

Glenn -----OTR/L, MOT, Tx
     
Cap'n Tightpants
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Dec 31, 2014, 11:06 AM
 
I like the skateboard idea.
"I have a dream, that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin,
but by the content of their character." - M.L.King Jr
     
Waragainstsleep
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Dec 31, 2014, 01:17 PM
 
It would look snazzy on a lanyard.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Dec 31, 2014, 01:44 PM
 
You could get two handles and put them on the sides.
     
subego  (op)
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Dec 31, 2014, 11:52 PM
 
The two handles idea presents an interesting engineering question. All else equal, which is better?

Single handle: 1x weight on each anchor point, minimal shearing force.

Double handles: .5x weight on each anchor point, all shearing force.
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Jan 1, 2015, 01:01 AM
 
At 23lbs I was thinking about 8 fingers vs 4.
I'm guessing you'd be using metal not plastic handles so I don't think shearing force is an issue.
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 1, 2015, 01:34 AM
 
Maybe "shear" wasn't the right word, and as an important detail, I should add the metal housing is pretty thin.

For a single handle setup, I only need to make sure I use washers large enough the weight of the unit won't rip them through the housing.

For a two handle setup, I'd use washers of at least that size (in case it's picked up one handled), but when holding it two handed, instead of wanting to rip out of the housing, they're going to want to deform the housing. Below the handles will start pulling out, and above the handles will start pushing in.
     
reader50
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Jan 1, 2015, 03:25 AM
 
Got an old travel case you're willing to tear apart? For the pull-out handles. At 23 pounds, add a couple wheels on one side, rubber-tip pads on the other to make it level. Then screw/clamp the pull-up handles on the wheels side.
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Jan 1, 2015, 01:22 PM
 
For two handles, my thought is they'd be on the sides. What you need to stop is the metal from bending under the torque.
I keep envisioning little handles like drawer pulls. If you could find something beefier then a single handle could work without you're fingers getting fatigued.
     
smacintush
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Jan 1, 2015, 02:09 PM
 
     
Waragainstsleep
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Jan 1, 2015, 03:19 PM
 
Told you so.
I have plenty of more important things to do, if only I could bring myself to do them....
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 2, 2015, 12:32 AM
 
Originally Posted by BLAZE_MkIV View Post
For two handles, my thought is they'd be on the sides. What you need to stop is the metal from bending under the torque.
I keep envisioning little handles like drawer pulls. If you could find something beefier then a single handle could work without you're fingers getting fatigued.
I was thinking the sides for a two-handle setup as well.

Now the holidays are over I can slip on over to the Deepo. I was thinking the type of handle you'd put on a wooden utility gate, which will probably be fine for a one-handler.

I like the skateboard idea, too, but I need to take the space savings over the ease of transport. If it was 50 pounds, I'd feel differently.
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 2, 2015, 03:00 AM
 
Finally got the workbench cleared of enough crap to pop the lid. I may have to go two handles.

The transformer coil is really close to the housing. Tearing the insulation on that would be very bad. I can offset the handle, but then the balance would be mightily jacked.

Answered my original question, though. You'd mount it to a board by removing the housing, mounting the housing, and then sliding the transformer back in.
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 2, 2015, 03:13 AM
 
I'm actually leaning back towards the board. Looking at the guts of this thing, it's possible to mount the handles in such a way touching them won't be fatal, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort.
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Jan 2, 2015, 01:15 PM
 
Handles as low as the "feet" would be bad too. It'd twist. Unless you make the handles long.
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 2, 2015, 09:20 PM
 
This is what I'm imagining. Replace the hi-hat tripod with the transformer.

     
turtle777
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Jan 2, 2015, 09:38 PM
 
Why not do something with straps around the unit, and attach a handle to that ?

E.g.

Strap-A-Handle, The Easy Way To Carry More!



-t
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 2, 2015, 10:20 PM
 
Hmm... two of those may work.

A single one, placed at the center of balance, would sit funny on the vents. It'd slide around, or start shredding, or both.

Thanks!
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 2, 2015, 10:41 PM
 
I'm warming up to a pair of those straps. My original original idea was something like that, but with metal. Couldn't come up with a good way to execute it in metal, so I abandoned the idea.

On top of that, I can loop the handles together with sash cord or something, and it's a one-handed carry. Just like a lunchbox.

Thanks again!
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 6, 2015, 03:03 AM
 
Nothing worthwhile at Home Depot, so I'm waiting on Amazon for one of those handle-strap jobbies.
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Jan 6, 2015, 02:18 PM
 
Plumbers tape for the strap and then bolt the handle to that?
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 7, 2015, 03:04 AM
 
The stuff which bonds to itself?
     
BLAZE_MkIV
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Jan 7, 2015, 12:42 PM
 
The metal strapping with the holes down the center.
     
boy8cookie
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Jan 7, 2015, 06:02 PM
 
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 7, 2015, 10:57 PM
 
The plumber's tape would work. I'll move to that if the nylon straps don't cut it.

The GearGrip is basically what I'm trying to create out of the single straps. Looking into it!


Edit: ordered!
     
reader50
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Jan 7, 2015, 11:11 PM
 
You won't like the plumbers tape as a carry strap. It will tend to scratch up the box, hang on things you brush against, and won't tend to stay flat. It'll also scratch your floors if it's exposed on the bottom.
     
boy8cookie
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Jan 8, 2015, 12:09 AM
 
Originally Posted by subego View Post
The plumber's tape would work. I'll move to that if the nylon straps don't cut it.

The GearGrip is basically what I'm trying to create out of the single straps. Looking into it!


Edit: ordered!
Great, my new year's resolution of "help people" is now fulfilled.
     
subego  (op)
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Jan 20, 2015, 09:46 PM
 
No, it isn't.

The Gear Grip is too large. The handle itself is longer than the longest dimension of the box.
     
BadKosh
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Jan 22, 2015, 09:39 AM
 
Perhaps incorporate the box into some sort of rolling deal that holds/stores/supports other stuff you use on site?
     
   
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