Help With Shelf Making!!

[Chubi32]

My husband and I bought all of the supplies to make the shelves described on this thread: http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9311 We went to Lowes and bough Hillman Hanger Bolts 10-24 x 3 and Tuercas Nuts 10-24. Then the nuts would not twist off the hanger bolts so we took them back to Lowes and the guy showed us that we were wrong and we had the right size of everything, so we went back home and we still have the same problem- the nuts will not twist off the hanger bolts, and if they do come off the take the hanger bolts out of the wood with them. If anyone has any idea as to why this is happening and how to stop it I would appreciate it. Oh and the wood I have is kiln dried Firr- they had no pine or aspen.

Thank You!

 

[Sierra]

I'm trying to think how my brother's dad did my shelves. We had the same problem and he used pliers and I think held the bolt in place while we screwed on the winged nut. Sorry I can't be positive but it's a suggestion.

 

[Ruby]

I had the same problem, I just used wood screws instead. ) Much easier and cheaper.

 

[mercynursie]

use two regular nuts(not your good wingnuts) and screw them both onto the bolt end of the hanger bolt.Screw them all the way down to the end of the bolt threads,you should be able to see the difference where the screw end's threads start.Now the two nuts will lock one another in place and you just use the appropriate size wrench on the nut closest to the of the bolt.Twist the screw into the wood all of the way down to the nut.Here is where the nuts sometimes get a little stuck.Just take one wrench on the top nut and one wrench on the bottom nut, twist in oppositle directions and voila it's loose.Sounds complicated but its not. It is harder to describe than demonstrate though.The reason I use the regular hex nuts is because they can be gripped with wrenches and I don't burr up the threads on my expensive wingnuts. Hope this helps!

 

[Chubi32]

Thanks for all the help guys! I've tried what Sierra said but it's just not working out for me. I'll try what Mercynursie said first and if that doesn't work I'll get woodscrews- but when you say woodscrews will it be the same thing as the hanger bolts/wingnuts or something different? I'm sorry I'm not very handy with these things

 

[chinchillalover0927]

the way i did my cages was with a screw and a washer....i put the washer and screw on the drill and drilled it into the holes that were made....they are sturdy and do not move at all

 

[Ruby]

the way i did my cages was with a screw and a washer....i put the washer and screw on the drill and drilled it into the holes that were made....they are sturdy and do not move at all

Yep, that is how I did mine. I like that nothing is sticking out of the cage. ) Of course the only downside is that you might eventually have to replace the screw if you take it in and out a whole bunch and strip it, but to me it is much easier.

 

[Rickman]

To me, the whole hangar bolt/wingnut thing is a expensive waste of time!
For a 1/4 of the price, and 1/3 of the time, I use drywall screws and fender washers, bought by the box.
I pre-drill, [to avoid cracks and get straight] put them on 3 sides for cage rigidity, [usually on a slight inside pitch so things 'roll-off'] and have never had a sharp tip become exposed!
Easy - on, easy - off, with a reversable electric screwdriver!

 

[Chubi32]

Oh some more good ideas! I can't wait until my husband gets home to try again haha- yesterday we both got so frustrated. Thanks again!

 

[Parkerspetchins]

As far as the hanger bolt coming out, drill your pilot hole smaller than your hanger bolt diameter then you will not have that issue. I use the drill to drill a pilot hole, then I put the hanger bolt right in the drill itself and screw that in place (careful not to crush the threads on the bolt), it takes like 30 seconds to do both. Then I add the washers and the wingnut, which should screw on with no issue unless it is stripped or the wrong size. I find it easier to add and take out shelving much more efficiently with the hanger bolt and wingnuts.

 

[Rickman]

Unless you've baby-safe cages and can't slide them up much, as I do! I think it's a 'cleaner' look, and you can still fit outside water bottles, without interference.
Zip them out with a drill, and you're done! Sides first, then the back!
I also try to cut the wood so it'll 'rest' on the horizontal bars, and put the screws to rest on the bars, too! Less chance of movement.