Hello, veteran Monkey Hutters.
I am traveling solo in an ordinary sedan and can't accommodate the 10'-long PVC poles called for in the original Love Monkey plans.
My question is, if I were to cut the 10-footers into, say, 5-footers, and joined them with couplers and duct tape, would the structure still work? Should I replace each pair of 10' poles with, say, three 8' poles and expand the footprint a bit?
Anyone have any relevant experience?
Thanks in advance for pointers/advice.
See you in the dust!
Bickle
I want to build a Monkey Hut but can't take 10' poles
Re: I want to build a Monkey Hut but can't take 10' poles
Many ways to solve that problem.
All kinds of things have been done.
Paste the following into google search for some ideas:
site:eplaya.burningman.org “monkey hut 5“
You can change up the part in the quotes to fine tune your results.
If 8’ is doable, I would do the following:
Cut each 10’ into an 8’ and 2’
Go to the hardware store and find the next size larger PVC pipe into which your rib slides into relatively snug. They do fit like that.
For example, 1” PVC fits into 1 1/4” PVC.
Buy some of the larger PVC pipe in a 3:1 ratio to the rib PVC pipe. Cut it in 1/3 ( 3.33’)
When assembling the 2’ + 8’ length use the larger PVC pipe as a sleeve for the connection and at the base of each rib at the ground interface. The 2’ length should be fully inside the 3.33’ sleeve. Tape the sleeve with gaffers or stucco tape (removes cleaner than duct tape).
Key is to keep pipe joins as close to the ground as you can. This allows the long span of the rib to flex at the top part where flex is needed and desired.
All kinds of things have been done.
Paste the following into google search for some ideas:
site:eplaya.burningman.org “monkey hut 5“
You can change up the part in the quotes to fine tune your results.
If 8’ is doable, I would do the following:
Cut each 10’ into an 8’ and 2’
Go to the hardware store and find the next size larger PVC pipe into which your rib slides into relatively snug. They do fit like that.
For example, 1” PVC fits into 1 1/4” PVC.
Buy some of the larger PVC pipe in a 3:1 ratio to the rib PVC pipe. Cut it in 1/3 ( 3.33’)
When assembling the 2’ + 8’ length use the larger PVC pipe as a sleeve for the connection and at the base of each rib at the ground interface. The 2’ length should be fully inside the 3.33’ sleeve. Tape the sleeve with gaffers or stucco tape (removes cleaner than duct tape).
Key is to keep pipe joins as close to the ground as you can. This allows the long span of the rib to flex at the top part where flex is needed and desired.
Re: I want to build a Monkey Hut but can't take 10' poles
A lot of folks cut the rib in 1/2 or 1/3's and then use a 1 or 2 foot length of the next bigger size of pvc pipe as a connector "sleeve". The natural tension usually negates the need for taping.
Re: I want to build a Monkey Hut but can't take 10' poles
Taping helps keep the slip joint in place when bending the darn things so they don’t slip and smack someone in the noggin, although there is some redeeming theater in that ...
Re: I want to build a Monkey Hut but can't take 10' poles
(posted in error)
Re: I want to build a Monkey Hut but can't take 10' poles
The ideas about using larger pvc as connectors are all good. One other option is to use two pieces of larger (1.25 inch) pvc as "uprights" and connect those two with a section of smaller ( 1 inch) pvc. This won't make a nice arc, but will make a more upright hut. And it's simple.
So lets say you want a 20 foot arched rib. Get two eight foot 1.25 inch pvc pipes and a six foot 1 inch pipe. Wrap tape around the 1 inch pipe at each end 1 foot from the end. Then insert the smaller pipe into both larger pipes. You now have a 20 foot run of pipe. The smaller pipe will extend into the larger pipes by 1 foot resulting in a 4 foot section. You can play around with the lengths to get the arch size you want. Try it out and see if that works for you.
So lets say you want a 20 foot arched rib. Get two eight foot 1.25 inch pvc pipes and a six foot 1 inch pipe. Wrap tape around the 1 inch pipe at each end 1 foot from the end. Then insert the smaller pipe into both larger pipes. You now have a 20 foot run of pipe. The smaller pipe will extend into the larger pipes by 1 foot resulting in a 4 foot section. You can play around with the lengths to get the arch size you want. Try it out and see if that works for you.