Would this Shade Structure be Good for the Playa

DreamcatchersAreCool · Post by **DreamcatchersAreCool** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:15 pm

Hello I am going to BM for the first time this year. I have looked at many shade structures and was wondering if anyone has tried a similar structure to this one.
It will be made out of pvc piping with the angles being 45 degrees angle joints. Here are the pictures of the basic idea.

Top
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image. ... eee58d.jpg
Front
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image. ... 218a7b.jpg
Angle
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/image. ... 0bf7c1.jpg

Any suggestions or experiences with this type of shelter would be great.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:44 pm

You will want to stake it down. If you're covering it with a tarp, I'd say it's questionable in strong winds. Aluminet or something breathable instead of something that catches wind may help.

Tiahaar · Post by **Tiahaar** » Wed Apr 09, 2008 10:49 pm

DreamcatchersAreCool wrote:Hello I am going to BM for the first time this year

might survive if you use 2" schedule 80 pipe and glued fittings, shade cloth that lets some air through and stake the bottoms deeply. thinwall pvc has a bad habit of fracturing under wind loads and your structure will want to flex if hit with side winds. but that's a lot of big pipe, then you have to cut it apart at weeks end. happy shelter building, hope it works out! (and yes dreamcatchers ARE cool!)

edit: Ha MikeVDS you and I think alike : ) you beat me in!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:45 am

Consider looping over pvc or steel or aluminum.
I think rigid joints might be a weak point.
Arched structures work.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 7:28 am

I'll swear by geodesic domes from here on out!
Made of emt(conduit). 1 inch.
nut and bolt(no glue)
some type of tight mesh cover (to let wind through)

SWEEEEEET!

DreamcatchersAreCool · Post by **DreamcatchersAreCool** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:04 pm

Thanks for all the input guys I think I am going to use and arched structure instead of this design. That structure seems to be well and tested and I don't need to test a new design on the playa my first year. Maybe next year I will give it a try for a second shade covering.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 6:31 pm

If it flexes, make sure there are no wear points on your cover.
I saw one with a 2 x 4 stiffener down the middle and X arches as well.
Very rugged.

Using bungee cords can allow everything to flex.
Noisy, but holds up.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:34 pm

Ball bungees are your friends.

thirt33n · Post by **thirt33n** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:49 pm

...i've got a BUNGEE between my balls,...yeah

BitterDan · Post by **BitterDan** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:23 am

thirt33n wrote:...i've got a BUNGEE between my balls,...yeah

Ouch!

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:37 am

Isn't that stretching things a bit?

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 10:45 am

I have a nice scar right between my eyes from a Bungee cord. and sacks are quite stretchy

Would this Shade Structure be Good for the Playa

Would this Shade Structure be Good for the Playa

Re: Would this Shade Structure be Good for the Playa