Tight Fitting Tubs - Tricks to Slide In/Out Easier

Hi all - I picked up a new rack this weekend w/ seven 28 qt tubs. Some tubs fit like a glove, sliding in and out w/o resistance, while others are tight and require a good amount of pressure to get them in. Granted, I'm not using all my might to make them fit, but the resistance is enough to make the tub skip/vibrate/chatter - has to be stressing the snakes a bit each time.

Aside from shorter tubs or shaving some off the top of the sticking tubs - any ideas? Was thinking maybe some sort of dry lube?

Do you have belly heat/heat tape underneath the tubs ? If so, you want to make sure its not obstructing the tub and that the tub is not rubbing the heat tape.

Have you talked to the Manufacture of the rack ? That shouldn't be happening with a new rack. Sometimes this happens with a older rack, when some shelfs have slight bowing because of the weight of the tubs above them.

It sticks within the first few inches, well before the heat. I believe it home made so no manufacturer to reach out to.

In my experience, there are differences in tubs. When I build my racks I use sterilite, which is pretty common and easy to source. Not all places sell the same ones though. There are at least two 28qt tubs with different model numbers. In my racks, the tubs that you can buy at Target and Home Depot fit. The tubs from Walmart do not, even though they are 28qt! It might be worth picking up one of each and trying them. It could save a lot of aggravation.

Dave

There can be differences in tubs from the same manufacturer.
I built my rack with 6 sterilite tubs and they all fit fine. Picked up 3 more tubs from the same store for future expansion and to have a couple extra to rotate around, and two of them were super tight. Ended up marking them so I know what shelf they won't work on.

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Originally Posted by mcamnl

There can be differences in tubs from the same manufacturer.
I built my rack with 6 sterilite tubs and they all fit fine. Picked up 3 more tubs from the same store for future expansion and to have a couple extra to rotate around, and two of them were super tight. Ended up marking them so I know what shelf they won't work on.

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Interesting... Would root day one you have one that fits well, it always does well? Starting to think the tub flex us something to do with it as I've had a few tight and holding it differently or holding the sizes makes it easier. Sometimes reversing the tub send to work too.

With what you said, now I'm thinking these are probably the same tubs he has when it was built so with the minor differences between tubs, each tub might have its own specific spot.

Thanks!

A simpler ruler/tape measure should help you measure the gap and see if they re all the same. If they are all the same measurement, its probably the tubs, if not then the racks.

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Originally Posted by Rikoku

A simpler ruler/tape measure should help you measure the gap and see if they re all the same. If they are all the same measurement, its probably the tubs, if not then the racks.

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Yeah, did that this morning and there is enough inconsistency between levels that would cause this. Guess if I were to build a rack, I'd be pro-gap to account for these sort of construction issues.

Going to go look for new tubs tonight to see if anything meets the smallest shelf and if not, going to plane a bit of the tub lips down... shouldn't take much.

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Originally Posted by Kirkevonphilly

Interesting... Would root day one you have one that fits well, it always does well? Starting to think the tub flex us something to do with it as I've had a few tight and holding it differently or holding the sizes makes it easier. Sometimes reversing the tub send to work too.

With what you said, now I'm thinking these are probably the same tubs he has when it was built so with the minor differences between tubs, each tub might have its own specific spot.

Thanks!

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FWIW, I find that the target/home depot tubs to be a bit sturdier.

Dave

End game was to get a hand wood planer and shave a bit of the tub down to eliminate the sticking points.