staggered. Also, t
he bolt clamp should straddle a seam
between staves.
Alternative band technique: Loosen bolt almost all the
way, but leave attached – maximizing the diameter. Two
or three people should be able to drop the band over the
top of the tub and into position.
The bottom band should always be at 4 3/4 inches from
the bottom, measured from the bottom of the stave to the
top of the band. Use your wrench to slightly tighten each
band enough so they hold their position. Go around the
tub with a tape measure and check the height of each
band in several places all around to make sure they are
level, moving them up or down as needed.
Figure 7.2 Proper placements of bands and bolts. Note
how bolts straddle a seam between staves and are
staggered.
Tub Height
# of
bands
Measurements from stave
bottoms (inches)
29
2
4.75, 24
29
3
4.75, 14, 24
29
4
4.75, 11, 17.5, 24
36
2
4.75, 30
36
3
4.75, 17.75, 30
36
4
4.75, 13, 21.5, 30
36
5
4.75, 11, 17, 23.5, 30
42
3
4.75, 20, 36
42
4
4.75, 15, 25, 36
42
5
4.75, 12, 20, 28, 36
48
3
4.75, 23.5, 42
48
4
4.75, 16.5, 28.5, 42
48
5
4.75, 14, 23.5, 32.5, 42
48
6
4.75, 12.25, 19.5, 27, 34.5, 42
Heights of retention bands
measured from bottom of
stave to the top of the band.
Section 8: Retention Bands Tightening
Time needed: approximately 30 minutes
This step is best done with two people, however it can be
done with one.
VERY VERY Important.
Look under the tub rim (with
mirror) and confirm again that any gaps between staves
are still evenly distributed around the circumference of
the tub. Gaps larger than 1/16 inch should be addressed.
The goal at this point is to have any gaps between the
bottom of staves be no more than 1/16” AND distributed
evenly around the tub circumference. NOT all in one
section. If necessary, use your mallet to strike the staves
from the INSIDE OUT using a glancing blow to adjust
the gaps around the perimeter of the tub to achieve this
even distribution.
Now you can tighten each band a little at a time, starting
with the bottom one. Tighten the staves incrementally in
stages - bottom first, then upper(s); this will be repeated
several times. One person will be tightening the bolt
clamp as the other person uses the rubber mallet and starts
on the side opposite the bolts, rapping each stave with
moderate force on the lower band where the staves and
floor join, driving them inward. Constantly monitor with
the mirror to confirm that the joints are getting tight.
Always start opposite the bolts and do one half of the tub,
then the other. Have your helper take up the slack in the
bands by tightening the bolts as you do this. The staves
should be driven on slowly. The object is to set the staves
evenly around the tub. Each stave will be rapped upon
multiple times. Don’t try to drive each one fully in one
session. Work from the opposite side toward the bolts in
one direction, then from the opposite side toward the bolts
in the other direction. In this way the tub is tightened
evenly.
Work around the tub, hitting each stave with a firm rap
right on the bottom band. You will see each stave seat a
little tighter. After one round of tightening the bottom
band, stop and take up slack in the upper band(s) so they
stay in position.
Note: do not over tighten the upper
bands; they do not require as much tension as the
bottom one, especially at this time. Just enough to
keep them from slipping downward.
9 of 16
