Light Pole Base Bolts

[Alwayslearningelec]

How long does it take ONE man to make the plywood templates? If you are "mass producing" them maybe 10 minutes each using the first one as a template for the rest?
How long does it take for ONE man to set the bolts in the concrete? 20 minutes each once you are on a roll? You don't say how many posts and where they are, but I suspect the most time will be spent (wasted) in waiting for the concrete guys to go from location to location and finish their pours.

I think you are way off.

-Hal

Way off?? You say roughly 10 minutes and 20 minutes. So that's 30 minutes, assumming 1 guys. Then the waiting on the concrete guys. So lets; say another 20 minutes. THat's 50 minutes. I said 2 men 1 hours( total 2 hours). So assuming this is a one man job, you mean I'm way off high I assume.

 

[winnie]

I've never done this, but what I am hearing is that there will be lots of 'hurry up and wait', and lots of time in prep work.

Each individual pole will be fast once the prep work is done, but you might wait around all day because the concrete guys are pouring other elements, and then have to sprint into action when they pour a pole base.

 

[ptonsparky]

Depending on the size of bolts and consistency of concrete, don’t expect to push them down into it OR move them once poured. We have installed leveling nuts under the pole baseplate so make sure enough thread is exposed.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

So can someone give me a rough idea of time for the FOUR anchor bolts/template @ 1 pole? Thanks

 

[infinity]

Pushing them down into the wet concrete doesn't seem like fun especially if you have guys standing around wait for the masons. I would opt for a product like in post #3 where everything is set in place before the concrete goes in.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Pushing them down into the wet concrete doesn't seem like fun especially if you have guys standing around wait for the masons. I would opt for a product like in post #3 where everything is set in place before the concrete goes in.

Wonder how many times it can be re-used?

 

[ActionDave]

The plastic bolt holders are great. They can be used a few times before they crack or get lost, but even if you only get one use out of them they are worth it.

Forget the plywood. And don't even think about pushing the bolts down into wet concrete after it's poured. If the concrete is poured to spec you'd be beating them in with a sledge hammer.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Pushing them down into the wet concrete doesn't seem like fun especially if you have guys standing around wait for the masons. I would opt for a product like in post #3 where everything is set in place before the concrete goes in.

But make sure you put tape or grease on the threads that will be above the top of the concrete before they pour.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

But make sure you put tape or grease on the threads that will be above the top of the concrete before they pour.

Great point.

 

[Rick 0920]

I've seen guys fasten them down before the pour, and it seems like they're just always a mess later

If they are pouring using a chute, yes it will be a mess. You would want to definitely know if they will using a concrete pumper.

 

[hillbilly1]

We always subbed it to a specialty contractor that was all they did. They would bore the hole, set the rebar, Sonotube and anchor bolts.

 

[Knightryder12]

The plastic bolt holders are great. They can be used a few times before they crack or get lost, but even if you only get one use out of them they are worth it.

Forget the plywood. And don't even think about pushing the bolts down into wet concrete after it's poured. If the concrete is poured to spec you'd be beating them in with a sledge hammer.

I have done hundreds of these with the plywood and after the concrete was poured. Its no big deal. Most pole bases are just 4000 PSI concrete.