Repairs at Mt. Storm

[bigfishK9]

So there are already bolt holes there? If so, that will be helpful since I am having problems getting my hands on a hand crank drill. If so, since you were just up there, let me know how many bolts and I will pick up the hardware. From what you are saying, I take it a hammer, punch, and wrench to tighten the new bolts should take care of the problem.

[scubajane]

Originally Posted by bigfishK9

So there are already bolt holes there? If so, that will be helpful since I am having problems getting my hands on a hand crank drill. If so, since you were just up there, let me know how many bolts and I will pick up the hardware. From what you are saying, I take it a hammer, punch, and wrench to tighten the new bolts should take care of the problem.

Yes that's a good list of tools. If you have more than 1 of each we could have teams to work on more than 1 leg at a time. then again would it mess with the stability of the platform to have 2 legs off at a time?? I guess it depends on which legs are off. or since no leg has 2 brackets on them we could put new brackets all around before messing with the deteriorating brackets.

for the east platform... 8 legs, each need 2 new brackets. each bracket needs 2 bolts. so 4 bolts for each leg. 8 legs = 32 bolts. then 16 brackets. the brackets have to go around a 4 x 4 and be held in place with a bolt. the brackets need to be U shaped with a bolt hole at each end. the U needs to be big enough to hold a 4x4. I estimate the bolt hole to be 1/2 inch wide. the length should be at least 3 inches depending on the thickness of the new bracket. the wood of the platform is approximately 2 inches thick.

I'm sorry to use so many repetitive words....It's really hard to describe without using my hands to show what I mean.

the west platform is another story...

bigfishk9 I really appreciate your willingness to help. thank you

[mselizann]

My husband says he has a hand crank drill he can bring Saturday, but the bit isn't very good....

[scubajane]

I'm not sure we will need a drill but bring it anyway. the west platformmay need it. the east platform already has holes. it just needs new brackets and bolts.

[bigfishK9]

What I was planning on doing was drilling a hole through the 4X4 and 2X6 and just bolting the two together and eliminating the brackets all together. Maybe I will just look around on Saturday and see what all I need and do the repairs on another day. Give everyone another reason to get together. If only one leg on each platform is an issue right now, we should be ok for a little bit yet but want to get it taken care of before they get in too bad of a shape and collapse.

[scubajane]

good idea!! I do wonder how water-logged wood responds to a drill. and yes it need to be repaired fairly soon. thanks for your concern!!

[scubajane]

I got brackets today. now Hubby is going to scrounge around in his Mom's basement and look for appropriate bolts, nuts and washers. hopefully next mount storm dive will be all about fixing the east platform.

[GFD113]

Originally Posted by scubajane

I got brackets today. now Hubby is going to scrounge around in his Mom's basement and look for appropriate bolts, nuts and washers. hopefully next mount storm dive will be all about fixing the east platform.

Someone get a hold of me before you make any repairs. I know local diver that has worked on that before, and even bought wood for them in the past. I'll see what he can do.

[scubajane]

Originally Posted by GFD113

Someone get a hold of me before you make any repairs. I know local diver that has worked on that before, and even bought wood for them in the past. I'll see what he can do.

well, didn't get your post before we left.sorry. but YES any help will be appreciated!!!!!
we dove today. water is a 'balmy' 93 degrees at the surface and the 'thermocline' at 80 ft is 87. air temp 78.
the east platform now has all 8 legs off and the center post is at an angle and has the golf trophy pinned down. the platform has dropped down about 3 ft. it is resting on it's underbelly. we do not have the tools or know-how to lift that platform and reattach the legs. the south east corner leg is broken. I suspect that a boat got it's anchor caught on it and knocked the platform off it's legs.
we went over to the west platform and reattached the center south leg, and placed a bracket on the center east leg (which had been sitting at a jaunty angle. new bracket straightened the leg out). all the other legs on that platform need brackets. we had to put a cinderblock under the center south leg to get the post up high enough to put the bracket into solid wood. the lower horizontal board on the south side of the platform is wobbly.
I plan to be back on sat the 29 to put more brackets on the west platform.
Anything anyone can do to help is very much appreciated!!!

[GFD113]

Originally Posted by scubajane

well, didn't get your post before we left.sorry. but YES any help will be appreciated!!!!!
we dove today. water is a 'balmy' 93 degrees at the surface and the 'thermocline' at 80 ft is 87. air temp 78.
the east platform now has all 8 legs off and the center post is at an angle and has the golf trophy pinned down. the platform has dropped down about 3 ft. it is resting on it's underbelly. we do not have the tools or know-how to lift that platform and reattach the legs. the south east corner leg is broken. I suspect that a boat got it's anchor caught on it and knocked the platform off it's legs.
we went over to the west platform and reattached the center south leg, and placed a bracket on the center east leg (which had been sitting at a jaunty angle. new bracket straightened the leg out). all the other legs on that platform need brackets. we had to put a cinderblock under the center south leg to get the post up high enough to put the bracket into solid wood. the lower horizontal board on the south side of the platform is wobbly.
I plan to be back on sat the 29 to put more brackets on the west platform.
Anything anyone can do to help is very much appreciated!!!

I'll try to get a hold of him tomorrow, he stops in all the time. If I wasnt working a cover shift sat id go too. I tried to get that trophy un pinned on the 15th but i was down to about 600 psi so we left it. How bad was it stuck?