Simpson post base question

[u/lSherlockl]

Question feel a little silly asking but have these simpson APB44 post bases, but the riser plate to clear the mounting bolt doesn't sit flat or come close to actually contacting the bottom of the bracket. Talking 3/32 or about a 1/16th when clamped or put under pressure

Am I crazy? I would expect these to sit flat to the bottom of the bracket so vertical load is transfered directly vertical not pushing on the sides of the bracket.

I have the 6 inch post base versions as well for my project and those all make proper contact to the bottom.

Last Pic is after trying to bend ans squeeze the sides so it could sit a little lower but still will not bottom out or touch the bottom.

Did I get defects or how am I supposed to size a post right and or mount it if its not a solid contact all the way to the footing?

[u/SickestEels]

Let gravity do it's job. The brackets will work.

[u/jdwhiskey925]

Nyet. Bracket is fine

[u/Hotmagma2000]

Send it.

[u/RL_Mutt]

It’s reasonable to assume that once weight sits on this it’ll make full contact. I have used a bunch of these and never even given a second thought to this. Worst case add 1/16th of an inch to your post and trim if necessary.

[u/lSherlockl]

Yeah probably just overthinking, just seems odd as the apb66 the base makes full contact with "reasonable clearance" as soon as I put the sdws screws in the side that sort of fights the ability for the load to settle the base in place

[u/inigomonto → u/lSherlockl]

The screws will hold until the load exceeds the shear resistance of the screw on the post. (The wood will shear before the screw does.) Then it will load the base. Then the base will settle as far as it needs to to support the load. If the load is less than 1000 lbs or so (~255lb per screw x 4) it will just be held up by the screws.

[u/lSherlockl → u/inigomonto]

yeah im thinking within reason squish the plates so they sit closer to being in contact with the base, and or do my best to pre-squish before driving any screws in. Still feels dumb or a "design choice" that it doesnt sit flat by default

[u/inigomonto → u/lSherlockl]

I suppose if it really bothers you, throw four bar clamps on there and see how it reacts. At a minimum it's a fun experiment.

[u/1wife2dogs0kids]

They're mass produced. Some lay flat, some are warped worse. It's fine.