05
Mar
Shade Structure Shizzle…
Posted by Sean, under Shade, ShelterFor those of you who bothered to read my last post on shade structure design, I’ve got what I feel to be an innovative idea on how to kill two birds with one stone. A tensegrity shade with a built in bar. Since Mindy and Alison were the only two people to respond, I’m still not sure how the whole camp feels about it. I would encourage you all to consider the design, pros and cons, and we should vote on whether or not to pursue it. I’m willing to put the required time and effort into this if we agree it’s the best course of action, but I need to start on it NOW NOW NOW. Don’t worry about hurting my feelings if you think it’s a bad idea; I could care less. I just want to get this matter sorted so I can get rolling on whatever we do decide.
Please build a scale model of it and then we can discuss it’s merits. I worry that the shaping of the fabric will be tough to engineer with fabric that is cheap enough to allow us to buy 100 yards worth. A model will help with that determination.
Word. I will construct a model and we can see what’s possible.
I would love to see a swoopy cool shade structure. There are a few details that I would need to have explained or proven before I can vote ‘yes’.
1) What are we going to use for posts?
2) How are we going to secure them in the ground?
3) How much room do we need to devote in the RV?
4) Will the bar be as prominent as in the past?
1. I’m working on that. The criteria is lightweight and easy to stow. Most likely wood or aluminum.
2. Check the detail on the “bar detail” elevation – http://www.bloodymaryland.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/bm_tensegrity_bar_detail_low.jpg
I want to make rebar plates that will automatically adjust to the right angles. We just hammer em in, and then put the pole where it needs to be.
3. The material is going to be Knitted Shade Cloth (KSC), which comes in a variety of opacity grades and colors. Bottom line, it is lighter than duck canvas, but quieter than poly tarps. It is also relatively inexpensive. I’m working with some quotes now that give us 6′ X 150′ (100sq yards) for $250. That’s $2.50 per square yard. Not bad, considering we can cut it with a razor blade and create lap joints by folding over the fabric and adding a grommet. I’m going to get a few samples and try to have a model ready by the end of next week.
4. The bar will be fully integrated into the shade, which allows more people to hang out in comfort, prevent us from getting heat exhaustion, and will let us shut the bar down with relative ease.
1. Laminated together 2×4’s will likely be your cheapest option, and burnable!
2. Check
3. Sounds good to me. Little pricey but…
4. I’ve heard some concerns that we’ll lose some of the kitchy crap pasted on look of the old bar. What should we do with the crab? Perhaps we need an easel with decorations/crab that we place out in the street on bar days.
I’ve been thinking about that. What we need to replace the nostalgia is a shingle. Examples from google –
http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&q=bar+sign&btnG=Search+Images
I think if we put up a flat, sandwich-board style sign (lighted), we will be able to have the same kitchy effect. We can leave room for playa gifts we wanna staple to the surfaces. And we can have a BAR IS OPEN/CLOSED section to prevent accidental servitude.
I want the one that says LIVENUDES in an L shape!
So I was lookin’ at CampNoWhere’s… elsewhere.. whatevers pictures of their tensegrity structure, looks like a few thousand trip points and duck under points. Is this going to be a problem? If we’re going to build this thing between the RV’s(to lessen the winds effect) I can install some tie down points on the side of Plan A. Weaver? Could you do the same? Perhaps we can come up with a hybrid design???
Goose bar! http://larrymoy.com/pics/2000-07-14_roadtrip/rt080topgun-bar-sign.jpg
$250 doesn’t sound that bad. Has anyone looked at the costs of buying a tent? Wondering if we can get something adequate pre-made for less than we can build it.
Quick searches yield
http://www.nextag.com/used-party-tent/search-html
http://www.canopymart.com/_e/dept/20-010/Luxury_Party_Event_Tents.htm (not cheap)
http://popular.ebay.com/ns/Home-Improvement/Tent+Canopy.html (better)
Hey, I do my homework. I have exhausted off-the-shelf options, including party tents, military tents, pre-fab shade tents, etc. The bottom line is that cost is way too expensive, and the ones that we can afford are not suited for desert use. Matt Weaver expressed an interest in assisting with the fabrication. I’ve got a re-worked design I’ll post soon. It utilizes the RV’s more, and provides greater canopy coverage.
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