connecting 8" lengths of lumber units temporarily

[robert2003]

I am building a movable bocce court 12' x 72' using a model built several years ago.

The original builder used a heavy duty buckle type snap connector out of what appears to be steel.

I went to Home Depot & Lowes and could find only brass oblong catches which broke the first time we put the unit together.

I searched on-line under " wood connectors", "buckles", "snap connectors", "oblong catches" and other combinations, but came up empty handed.

Would anyone have a suggestion where I could look or even a name I could search on.

Thanks
Robert

[chandler]

Robert, welcome to the forums! I have read this post many times, in hopes someone else would be able to help. Clarify the size of the pieces. Are they only 8" long?? I am just concerned about the flexibility of this unit with such short lumber. You can use large trunk fasteners, which are about 4" long and snap shut once you latch them.

[Concretemasonry]

From what I have seen they may have been 8' long lengths of heavy square timbers to roughly outline the lanes of the Bocci/Bocce ball court on the grass. They set them out in the spring and took them in when the snow got too deep.

I will look closer the next time I visit the local "real" Italian restaurant. - They take it very seriously!

Dick

[robert2003]

Hi Chandler -- thanks for your response.
Sorry - a typo. The units are 8 feet in length. I placed the original buckles across short butted lengths of 2x4's -- one piece 4 inches inset 4 inches on the left end and an 8 inch piece overhanging on the right. When connected, the longer piece of 2x4 meets the short piece, meshing in a slot formed between the back board and a piece of 2x2 attached to the short 2x4. A crude drawing follows which lost perspective -- sorry.

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Where can these large trunk fasteners be purchased? I tried using the buckle latches from Home Depot, but most lasted exactly once (when the court was taken down the first time).

Thanks again for your help
Bob

[robert2003]

Hey Dick
Thanks for your reply.
You are absolutely right -- they are serious players.
The reason it has to be portable is that in Florida it gets a might warmish in the summer and we can set the court up in a red center gym. Unfortunately, we can have it set up only in the AM since they play basketball in the afternoon.
Thanks again.
Bob

[chandler]

And they let you throw those balls on the hardwood court??? My old college basketball coach would croak. I'll have to make a road trip to my shop to look at the brand and get back to you.

[robert2003]

Hi Chandler

The floor is a rubberized tile construction, not hardwood.

Wood would probably swell and buckle in our humidity.

Bob

[robert2003]

good morning Chandler
Hate to be a bother, but have you gat a source for the trunk latches you mentioned in your reply to me?
Thanks in advance
Robert

[George]

Another alternative would be the latches used to hold table leaves together. They're fairly heavy and readily available.

[robert2003]

Thanks for the suggestion, George.
I'll go online and do some research, then check Home Depot/Lowes & Ace.
Robert