monkey hut prototype

[Zumaria]

Hello Eplayans! This year I'm hoping to swing a monkey hut for shade for my insane tent. I'm going to be having clients in the tent to I want it to be a comfortable place for them too!

Note: I am located carless in Chicago so I'm having to surrender a bit of the control to the hands of my father who is very much enjoying the engineering thrill! He sent me a few pictures last night of the prototype and I just want to make sure it's on track! I was wondering if ya'll would be kind enough to take a peeksy and offer as much feedback as you can. Thank you for your knowledge!

hut2.JPG

hut1.JPG

When viewing the pictures, I have a few questions:

1. Rebar recommendations? This is a bit wobbly with 1 ft. rebar. I'm thinking 2 ft would be much better..but with the playa, how far would it have to (or even be able to) go in? For example, say 1 ft needs to be in the ground ...is that also easy to get out of the ground? Alternatively, does there have to be a recommended amount in the PVC? Like total rebar size doesn't matter, but there has to be at least 6 inches in the PVC? etc.

2. This is just one "section". Wanted to make sure it was on track before continuing. Of course right now it's a bit wobbly at the top (don't ask me why it's flat... ). Once more sections are added I think the top will be come more stable. If that ends up not being the case, I'm thinking that a strap at the front entrance and back entrance pegged to the ground would be enough to keep it stable. What thinks you?

I'm really excited about trying this out and I think it's something I could even set up on my own. 87 days till the man burns!

[mudpuppy000]

I've never built one, but I think the classic design (without the flat top) may be a little less wobbly due to fewer joints/fittings and also the tension in the legs, since you need to bend them in an arc. The straight legs may not be as stable. Also with the flat top there's more things to break, but it might work.

[Captain Goddammit]

I have to ask why it's flat on top! That serves no purpose other than weakening it and making it more complicated. These things have been extensively playa tested and refined, your best bet is to build it the way it's been proven to work.

[VultureChow]

Those little joints up there are definitely going to come popping out as it flexes. And yes. You do really want 24" ribar. 12" pounded in. Get a pair of vice grips and a 2x4 to lever them out of the ground.

He's got the basic components there. Encourage him to eliminate the flat top, and he'll see how much more stable the simple arch is.

[Zumaria]

I have to ask why it's flat on top! That serves no purpose other than weakening it and making it more complicated. These things have been extensively playa tested and refined, your best bet is to build it the way it's been proven to work.

I know, I know... I facepalmed pretty hard at the top when I saw the pictures. This isn't cooking where you can take liberty from the recipe. Follow the instructions!

lol Thank you all for mentioning the flat top...having support from the experts will help my case!

[Elderberry]

I hope your dad can handle criticism. (In his mind, he's only trying to make it better.)

[Zumaria]

I hope your dad can handle criticism. (In his mind, he's only trying to make it better.)

Oh absolutely, bless his heart. He actually bought me this really nice tent because I wanted to be able to stand in my tent...turns out it's too tall for even a monkey hut...had to sell it and he handled it quite well. We can get this back on track without any hurt feelings

Now to find some Tye-dye tarps!

[FIGJAM]

That pvc looks like 1/2" and needs to be at least 1".

You can make the hut taller by putting the legs of the arches closer together.

[Canoe]

And a tarp wouldn't last well on those corners...
Think wind. Lots of wind. Crazy amounts of wind.
Like 45 mph wind, even 75 mph wind, and possible 100 mph wind.
Microbursts - you tried, but all bets are off.

Use Playa-Tested©)'( designs, because they're proven on the playa.
Growing your own design can be fun, but you want it to work, and you don't want it blowing apart or uprooting and blowing away where it has a high likelihood of damaging property or people as it goes.

[Elderberry]

I hope your dad can handle criticism. (In his mind, he's only trying to make it better.)

Oh absolutely, bless his heart. He actually bought me this really nice tent because I wanted to be able to stand in my tent...turns out it's too tall for even a monkey hut...had to sell it and he handled it quite well. We can get this back on track without any hurt feelings

Now to find some Tye-dye tarps!

If you're into Tye-dying, you need to visit TamaraKay's camp "Dye with Dignity" (Oh, and if you're into fruit smoothies, you're invited to our camp too: Mudskipper Cafe, serving every afternoon.)

[LowePro]

I'm guessing you've seen this: http://www.chromatest.net/Lovemonkey/
A campmate uses one over his tent, it's very easy to set up. I think his rebar was ~3 feet, a foot or so into the playa and the remaining few feet slide into the PVC tubes. Rebar is flexible too so the length above ground is not super critical, If it's too long the rebar can bend within the PVC tubes.

[maladroit]

Repeat the thought experiment found in the survival guide: would it hold up if set up on the back of a flatbed truck and sent down the highway?

Also, what do you mean by clients?

[Drawingablank]

I know it was mentioned above, but those pvc connectors will be guaranteed to fail. If you look at the lovemonkey design linked above, you will notice that the rib joints are sleeved with a minimum of 8" to 12" overlap.

I can attest that this design works great - mine has been to the playa 4 times with no problems.

[Zumaria]

Thank you everyone for your input! I had seen LoveMonkey's design and here is the revised product!

hut3.JPG

hut4.JPG

I think this is much better! Currently the PVC is 1/2" but will be upgraded to 1". To fit my tent inside it we're looking at about 10ft x 20ft footprint. Would you call this average?

Also, what do you mean by clients?

I'll be doing tarot readings for my gift this year - Zumaria's tarot. Look for my sign and come get a reading!

If you're into Tye-dying, you need to visit TamaraKay's camp "Dye with Dignity" (Oh, and if you're into fruit smoothies, you're invited to our camp too: Mudskipper Cafe, serving every afternoon.)

OOOooOOOooo....both of these have been added to my hit list. Looking forward to stopping by for a smoothie!

Thanks again everyone!

[krly]

http://galaxybeing.com/galaxyhut/