Center pole structures

eigenstates · Post by **eigenstates** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 6:51 pm

This year will be my first attempt at this type of thing. It will be covered in canvas drop cloth material and hexagonal in shape. I plan on one center mast ~12' and six outer vertical supports of 5'5". I plan on using climbing rope and rope runners for the roof guy wires and wratcheting tie downs and rope for the guys that come of the vertical supports.

Q. I know I will need a center pole 12' high- what material should I use?
I am investigating bamboo, pvc, emt- any others or warnings against?

Q. How do I best do the guy wires for the 6 wires from the center pole to the support and then from the support to the ground?

Q. Do I need to build the frame on the base- connect all the vertical supports?

Q. What's the best knot to use on the guy wire?

Thanks in advance for any leads.

-e

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 9:20 am

You best build that thing at home first. Then redesign it to withstand a 70 mph wind gust. Get to know how long it take to set up and take down.
.
I'm bringing a new design this year. Have set it up twice and will again before BM. I also have a second shelter just in case. Last year was a year of equipment failure for me. First shelter,ride and second ride. Second shelter held and third ride needed a small repair. I'm I desapointed?? Hell no!! Be there this year with a whole new rig and standard backups.

dragonfly Jafe · Post by **dragonfly Jafe** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:27 am

...I know the old GLOM B.A.S.S. (big ass shade structure) used an old aluminum sprinkler pipe for their center pole - worked great for years (and still works great). They use poles around the perimeter like you are suggesting (a-frames actually) and the ropes go beyond them to big screw stakes. It is very easy to setup (except for the covering, which goes ok with lots of hands) and very durable in the wind.

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:53 am

Espresso Camp uses 1-1/2" steel pipe center post, about 2" o.d. with a central connector and 8 roof struts of 1" emt. The outer columns are 1-1/4" fence post tubing. We have a tubing perimeter ring of 1"emt at the top of the outer columns and at the base of the columns.

Our central external guy ropes attach to the center column several feet above the shade cloth roof. This area take a lot of load pushing downward as a result of the side forces. Do not underestimate this load! If you do the center column will collapse or minimum the ropes will slip down.

Diagonal ropes at the outer wall will be needed to keep those columns from doing a twist collapse. We use custom fabricated joints to take care of this load and you do not have time to make them.

If you are using rope as opposed to wire, a bowline knot works great because it is one of the few knots that can be untied after a heavy load is placed on it. If using steel cable, look at nicopress fittings, or learn how to make a "farmers eye splice" in 6 strand wire. 3/8" cable holds about 8000 pounds. These splices are hand rippers though unless covered in the "crotch"

check out our website for a few ideas

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 12:16 pm

Military surplus tent poles might be a good idea -- sectional aluminum or fiberglass, four-foot lengths, between 1.5-2 inch dia, so could use two sections for perimeter poles and three for the center. Twin Cities in Reno and most well-stocked surplus stores would have them and other types of poles.

EspressoDude · Post by **EspressoDude** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 7:50 pm

farmers eye splice is also called a flemish eye splice

eigenstates · Post by **eigenstates** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 11:25 pm

That structure is flipping brilliant. It helps that I love coffee too.

You know- I think I might be in over my head this year with this idea. I am headed to Home crackpot this week to refresh my memory of materials.

I may retreat to the idea of two different structures- a 1v bucky of emt w/10' struts and a pvc house like thing.

Still going to stick with the canvas instead of platic for covering. I may even have an old sail coming my way.

Bravo on the structure- it's great.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:44 am

1v geo with 10' EMT struts?? Umm... those had better be about 1.5" dia if you want that tohold up to the wind or any dork that decides to lean against it for a minute...

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 9:48 am

capjbadger wrote:1v geo with 10' EMT struts?? Umm... those had better be about 1.5" dia if you want that tohold up to the wind or any dork that decides to lean against it for a minute...

/

Must have some very large girls in mind for those thick poles.

capjbadger · Post by **capjbadger** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:01 am

Much more that about 5' on a EMT strut, and its going to bend far too easily.

Hey eigenstates... Check out these Starplate things. Just get some 2x4, drill some holes and slap it together. I build the second story of my dome with these. They are fucking cool!

They run $65 for a set, which comes with the plates for one 1v dome. You just then get teh bolts and lumber. Hell, get untreated wood and you can burn it.

eigenstates · Post by **eigenstates** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 1:48 pm

Seems my last reply to this was lost in the ether.

I have looked at the starplate things. Some background- My initial design for the playa house was based on what I have been using for 3 years- the Coleman gazebo. I was going to make it out of wood. 6 roof beam that connect to something similar to the starplate in the middle (double bolted to prevent twist), 6 support or wall beams. The connections at the points where the roof beams meet the supports stopped me short. Thats when I started down the center pole path.

Maybe I should get back the the gazebo idea with an emt frame and a custom made star/sleeve idea in the middle? But how to attach the roof to the base? Do they make 4 way emt connectors at the proper angles for a gazebo?

Widly off topic- sorry- and thanks for all the input so far.

Center pole structures

Center pole structures

Espresso- thanks

Damn