Hey, so I need to make the decision
pretty quick about this, as I'm ordering the materials
ASAP. I'm building another rail. The specs are as follows:
Length: 20ft
Height: 2 ft
What I need to know, is whether it makes sense to attach the vertical supports at the bottom with a piece of metal that runs the length of the rail. I've included some pictures to help with my explanation.
#1. This is the first picture. In this picture, there is an additional length of metal tubing that runs the entire length of the rail, securing the vertical supports in place at the bottom, as well as the top.
credit goes to mangled_donkey for the photo
#2. This is the second picture. In this photo, there is nothing securing the vertical supports in place at the bottom.
credit goes to King_1223 for the photo
I will be moving this rail around a fair bit, so the option of digging it into the ground for additional support is not in the cards.
The cost of materials for the one without the bottom support is $180.00
The cost of materials for the one with the bottom support is $240.00
The reason there is such a price difference is due to the fact that I am buying the metal in 24ft lengths. At $2.50 a foot, the extra 24ft length that will be needed totals to a difference of $60.
I see no problems with a rail that doesn't have the bottom support. However, what I want to know is this. Can anybody think of a valid reason to put the bottom support on? Realize that there will be two 1-5/8" tubes with 1/8" walls running along the top, so that should be plenty of support. Has anybody had problems with something like this before? Let me know. Soon please.
