Wall spreader from joined 2x4s?

[Rick Gates]

Hi,

 

I'm getting the hardware to make wall spreaders out of 2x4s. But I'm anticipating a problem.

 

The maximum length 2x4 my vehicle can handle is 8 feet. Is it safe to join a couple of 2x4s to make a longer span for the wall spreader?

 

As I'm not seeing any 2x4 coupling hardware, I'm thinking maybe this just shouldn't be done.

[JD Hartman]

Get a speedrail spreader. Get double duty out of your pipe.

[Rick Gates]

JD, I thought about that. I was thinking it would be easier to cut 2x4s than speedrail, but it would be nice to get double duty out of the pipe.

 

Do you consider joining 2 pieces of speedrail for a wall spreader to be safe?

[JD Hartman]

Not nearly as risky as the wood. I wouldn't take two ten foot pieces and make a 20, but I'd add a few feet to an end with a coupling if I had to.

[Rick Gates]

Hmm, if you had to span 24 feet, would you consider 3 eight-foot pieces of speedrail? Or would that be tempting the fates too much?

[JD Hartman]

24 feet? I'd be using truss. You really need to consider the structural strength of the speedrail and the amount of deflection at the center for a given load. You're starting to veer way off course to where off the cuff advice doesn't apply, but real engineering calculations do.

[Rick Gates]

Yeah, I'm gonna play it safe and design a different shot.

 

Thanks for all the tips.

[Rick Gates]

Aha! Discovered that I can get away with a 13' span for the shot.

 

Also saw that Dave Donaldson at the Youtube channel "Grip Tips" recommends joining two pieces of speedrail with a coupling to make a larger span. Here's a grab from his video:

 

 

I think I'm going with this technique. I can get the Modern Studio wall spreader kit at Barn Door for $80, and their couplings are $33 each.