I spend most of my time in the knots forum but a situation arose that I need some of your expert help on. A friend has a large bandsaw (cast iron) that he wants to “store” in my shop for a while. This is a great thing for me except I don’t know if the floor will support it. My shop is framed with TJI 25 joists 11 1/2 deep 19 5/8 OC and span 14 ft. How can I determine how much weight I can safely put on this floor? Thanks, Tom
Tom
Douglasville, GA
Replies
How big is the footprint of the saw? What is the subfloor material? (what thickness, ply or OSB, T&G or not?). Typically engineers design for 40 psf live loads per joist for residential floors, so a (say) 400 lb band saw would need to spread over a 10 sq ft base area if only being carried by one joist.
I would say put the saw on sleepers of 2x10 long enough to spread the load to three joists. 11 1/2" TJIs at 19.2" o/c is a pretty heavy duty residential floor esp. for only 14' span.
You can try your question at the manufacturer's site as follows: http://www.trusjoist.com/ I suspect they will refer you to your local licenced product specifier.
Better yet contact the original builder and have them direct you to whoever spec'd your system in the first place. Failing that, the building permit section at your local gov't authority should have a copy of the engineering paperwork in your home's permit file. At least, all the authorities I've worked with collect engineer's stamped paperwork for any engineered system like TJs, glu-lams or roof trusses. You can check the design live load from that spec sheet.
Hope this helps.
Wally
Thanks for the quick reply. I had the floor system overbuilt because the primary purpose of this building is a woodshop. The total width of the building is 28 ft but there is a beam in the basement in the center. The builder went bankrupt at the end of the project and disappeared so I can't ask him. I will try to contact the supplier that spec'd the floor.
The flooring material is 3/4 t&g ply. I have some prett heavy equip in there already and the floor is solid as a rock but this is a BIG bandsaw so I want to be sure I'm safe.Tom
Douglasville, GA
Not surprisingly you have strong subfloor as well. I would suspect that the design live load is more than 40 psf. The city's file should show the TJ engineering to confirm this - if that is the procedure in your area.
Enjoy 'your' new toy.
WallyLignum est bonum.
Well, I woke up this morning to find a trailer in my driveway with the biggest bandsaw I have ever seen in my life on it. Weight is approx 2400lbs so it won't be going in the shop unless I add 3 more joists under it according to the engineer I spoke with this morning. I guess we will put it in the garage or basement for now and I will have to decide how to go from there. It guess it all depend on how long it will be on loan to me.
Tom
Douglasville, GA
Edited 1/8/2004 2:11:06 PM ET by Tom
1. put bandsaw in carport
2. build 40' long roller inrun and outrun tables
3. order a couple truckloads of logs
4. announce your new heavy timber cutting business
5. pay off the neighbours with booze so they don't complain to local authorities re zoning infractions
Have fun!
Wally
Lignum est bonum.