Advice is fine, but until your post I haven't seen much explanation for why it would be beneficial.Originally Posted by Sonny1318
Below here is my $0.02. I debated not responding at all to any comments about washers, but feel that continuing replies on the topic is detracting from the purpose of this post as an alternative rack design folks can customize for themselves. I hope that we can all agree to disagree on this point and of course the prior comments will remain as a suggestion to any future viewers for something they can do differently than I have done.
I hope I am not coming off as defensive or rude as that is not my intention at all.
I posted this for the purposes of someone looking for an alternative to the fixed frugal herpers rack in the sticky to be able to see another method they could implement. (which I found to be difficult to assemble with precision for small snakes with higher escape risks than a BP when you have minimal tools) And they can certainly modify it to have washers if they choose.
I did some research re: washers, but have come to the conclusion that it is not necessary for this application. If stationary nuts cause sufficient damage to the surface in under 20 years to even be noticeable when assembled, I would be shocked. And if there is non-visible scratching or whatever on 3/4" melamine, I can't believe that is sufficient to make it unusable or risky for the animals.
This rack is going to be moved at most feet at a time every few months perhaps for adjusting thermostat probes or maybe if required to mop/clean beneath it. Maybe a handful of instances through its lifetime where it will be rolled more than that due to moving houses or rooms in the house.
I found a relatively recent article with a video (geared somewhat to advertise a particular type of washer) that demonstrates the Junker test on a variety of washer types and displays the results.
Link here:
https://hackaday.com/2017/06/08/nuts...ping-it-tight/
This rack will not be subject to nearly this sort of motion and force, but is the most probable cause of slippage of the nuts as far as I am aware. However, for this application, the clamp load is not important. It is OK if the shelves aren't clamped so tightly in place. All that is needed is that the rack shelves not raise up or lower by much. Raising up would be an escape risk and gravity dictates this is not a concern. And if it lowers slightly that can be fixed easily with a wrench and would only make the tubs sit tighter.
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