Any Unistrut users out there?

[NM_Shooter]

I feel like I discovered the grownup equivalent of an erector set.

I was in a fastener shop yesterday, getting floor screws for my trailer, and they had a unistrut display there.  How cool is that stuff!  I really liked one component a lot.... it is a little roller assembly that rides inside the unistrut tubing, and the bearings support a metal tab that is rated for 500lbs of load bearing weight.

Here is a link with only a small representation of accessories: 
http://www.barnhillbolt.com/index.php?root=menu&level=&menu=1849&catid=74&custid=283685774

I absolutely have to figure out a way to use some of this stuff.  I think that I will build my hinged front porch awning out of this.  I also need to lift a 300lb A/C compressor onto my roof...I wonder if I could use unistrut to build a temporary dumbwaiter sort of thing to lift a pallet?  Stay tuned for Darwin candidate announcements. 

-f-

[MountainDon]

Frank, you were brave enough or desperate enough to brave the walk in purchasing ordeal at Barnhill!! 
Or do you have an account?

Have they become more efficient than the experiences I recall? Drop in service used to mean long waits. I bought from them for years but used the phone in "will call" service. Of course folks dropping in for "will call" got priority over walk in... that's where some of the distaste for walk in stemmed from...

Anyhow, enough bad mouthing... if things have improved, my apologies all round.

They do have a great assortment; it's like a nuts/bolts/screws/etc hardware candy store. I'd love to browse their warehouse area. 

I've seen that stuff someplace but never used it.

Re the A/C unit. What are you going to use. We had been planning on using an RV A/C, but it was hard enough replacing the one on the RV roof. I did that myself a few years ago. So we're going to use a window mount type, IF necessary. I'm going to frame a spot in the wall, up high, for one, but not install it right away. If being tree shaded and well insulated is not enough I'll then cut out the opening. I'll have the proper wiring roughed in but not connected at either end unless/until needed.

[MountainDon]

Unistrut's HOME

[NM_Shooter]

Nah... I called in an order.  But I got there and they had the order wrong so I had to wait while they fixed it.  While I waited I amused myself with the Unistrut stuff. 

This A/C unit is for my house.  I work out of my home, and during the monsoon season, my swamp cooler just does not cut it.  I am tired of being miserable in August, and also sucking dust, dirt and pollen in to my house all day long.  I bought a 5 ton SEER16 compressor and air handler from AC Direct

(http://www.acdirect.com/)

Includes the expansion valve, scroll compressor, cased coil unit and variable speed DC blower.  Still have to get the copper, disconnect, thermostat, and some other misc. stuff, but got the heart of the system for ~$3100 on sale.  I'm not smart enough to know I can't install this thing myself.  Luckily I have ducted vents for the swamp cooler that I can tie the air handler directly into.  The main plenum for the swamp cooler is directly over a closet in the middle of my house, so that closet is about to house an upflow air handler and coil unit.  I am thinking about buying a premium air filter too.  We'll see. 

They have 2 ton Goodman systems for ~1600. 

You still need a tech to hook it up, evacuate and top off the system, but I figure I'm saving $8k or better.  I was quoted $12k to convert my house by a "pro".

I can make you an excellent deal on a used Mastercool 6000CFM cooler.  Come and pick it up and leave me a beer.  (yeah, I know.  I should be paying to have it hauled away.  I'm hoping the cooler recipient won't notice.)

[MountainDon]

Now I understand the weight.

Don't need a swamp cooler, we gave them up a few years back. 
Changed the furnace out at the same time to a 90% as well. Both ere vintage 1985.

You will enjoy the refrig A/C.

Taking the furnace and A/C change, adding the change to all commonly used lights being FL or CFL (half have been for decades anyways), our gas/elec monthly average cost is 40-45% less then it averaged 5 years ago. And we use less water too.

[NM_Shooter]

Okay.  You drive a hard bargain.  Come and take away the old cooler and I will give you a beer.

[FrankInWI]

I bought a garage heater to hang off the ceiling.  The dealer suggesting I use unistrut to hang it.  I couldn't find it at the stores I frequent, and wish I had found it.  I did a real butcher job in hanging it and it looks like crap to this day. I need to change the location of the heater before next winter, and I will use unistrut then. 

[MountainDon]

Okay.  You drive a hard bargain.  Come and take away the old cooler and I will give you a beer.

I wouldn't mind te beer sometime, but I'll still pass on the cooler.  I'll help you put it on your trailer. If you figure a way to get it on your roof, that too. I'm not too keen or carrying it up a pair of ladders like my installers did though.

The WM dump will want $6.50 (last time I was there). Not sure about the county dump charges.

If it still works you might be able to freecycle it if you simply want it gone, no charge.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleABQ/
I've gotten rid of a few things I considered junk and couldn't sell.

[glenn kangiser]

I'm a Unistrut user - sometimes.  I installed a couple frames in the heart surgery center at St. Agony's Hospital for the new monitors etc..  We used Unistrut to fasten it all and brace it to the ceiling /floor of the room above.  Expensive project.  Lucky I was on the collecting end.

[firefox]

Here is an idea to get the A/C on top of your van. Get two poles/pipe that combined are strong enough to handle the load
Dig two shallow holes 6 feet apart. Lay the poles down on the ground so that the ends are over the holes and the other ends are tied together as in an a frame. secure the ac unit to that end along with a cable or strong rope. secure the other end of the rope to a car/truck bumper and pull away until the ac is high enough. then drive the van under it.
just my 2 cents.