Platform mounting

[Boltthrower]

Ive looked a bit and haven't found a straight definitive answer. I am going to mount a homemade steel platform assembly in my basement with anchors and I am wondering if it is necessary or recommended to use wood boards in between it and the concrete.

[MMurphy162]

It's not necessary but iit won't hurt either

[Boltthrower]

Ok thanks. What would be the purpose though? I've also been given the idea of using gaskets in between but that was from a metalworker/ pipe fitter. Would this be of any benefit, not toward performance but for the integrity or quality of the mount? Thanks again

[MsDeville]

I've never constructed a platform, but my partner, Raul has been building them for years. I picked his brain and he suggests that it would be a good idea to use some sort of material to serve as a gasket between the steel and the concrete wall if you would like it to be solid and with little or no vibration.

You could run vertical 2x4's from top to bottom and attach them to the concrete wall with both construction adhesive and deadhead bolts. By attaching the steel platform to them rather than the concrete, they will serve very well as gaskets, as they should totally eliminate vibration when punching.

Another plus of running the 2x4's all the way down to the floor is the option of attaching a vertical drum to them.

[MMurphy162]

Ok thanks. What would be the purpose though? I've also been given the idea of using gaskets in between but that was from a metalworker/ pipe fitter. Would this be of any benefit, not toward performance but for the integrity or quality of the mount? Thanks again

The only thing I can think of is to move the drum a little further from the wall. What ever the thickness of your wood is. I have two 24" angle iron runners attached to my concrete wall with 3 each 3/8" redhead anchors. They do not move/vibrate. If I put wood behind them they still would not move/vibrate. I do like the idea of the vertical drum which would be a reason for installing the wood. If you use a good quality concrete anchor and your wall is pretty much flat (that doesn't have to be perfect) for the length of your mounting hard ware your not going to have a problem.

[DarthPistachio]

If you have good solid brick walls I would suggest a simple rubber neoprene like gasket between the metal and the wall and mount the platform using "thunderbolts"

These puppies have different names throughout the world but they essentially look like the image attached. It's crucial that you use a good quality masonry drill bit that is as close to the internal diameter of the thread section as possible - these bolts with a suitable ratchet will drive their own thread into the hole in the brick and satisfyingly squeak when they reach full tightness - they will clamp the frame - or whatever you're mounting - rigid and like a vice to that wall - I have mounted safe's, gun cabinets and all sorts of things with just 4x10mm thunderbolts with no hassles at all.. highly recommended..

you can get them in sizes starting from just 6mm - don't use wall plugs any more in this house whenever I mount anything of substantial weight.