howdy!

tamarakay · Post by **tamarakay** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:41 pm

My husband and i are preparing for first time on playa in 2011. We have been trying out different ways of building a shade structure from a parachute and pvc etc. Anyone have experience with parachutes and pvc? would like some advice. We are a little nervous as we look a bit older than the average burner we have seen in all the pics, but Rites of Passage as we are going into our empty nest years is just too hard to pass up.

tamarakay · Post by **tamarakay** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:46 pm

just remembered the name of the site we got the parachute idea from: civilized explorer. Lots of really great info on it.

TomServo · Post by **TomServo** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:15 pm

Welcome! I've never used pvc for a shade structure, but the one on Civilzed Explorer, seems simple enough. Make sure to read the first timers guide and peruse this board! Drive your stakes/anchors deep! At least 12". Here's some good readin!

http://wps.com/BM/bluetarp_files/bluetarp.htm

Elorrum · Post by **Elorrum** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 7:56 pm

well done, to start with the civilized explorer site. Also AEZ (alternative Energy zone) has some shade links.

ygmir · Post by **ygmir** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:00 pm

and, the winds can gust up to 60 mph.
I've heard over, but, can't be sure of that.

with the dust, there is more force, too.

As stated by TomServo,
first timers guide
survival guide
main site info
and here..........

welcome,
good luck

motskyroonmatick · Post by **motskyroonmatick** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 8:46 pm

Ive had good and bad luck with pvc.

The good luck with an elongated dome with many zip tied and duct taped intersection points on each run of pvc. Basically many intersecting arcs of pvc.

Bad luck with 90 degree and Tee connections building a frame based off of 90 degree angles.

Best luck with a metal frame flat shade 7 feet in the air. No sides but much less resistance to high wind.

Shade structures and domes are usually pulled over/down by the low pressure area within/directly down wind of the structure. A well ventilated and secured structure is less prone to failure. Parachutes are designed to capture and control wind. Defeat that and you will have a more secure long lived structure. Loose tarps, shade cloth and parachutes(billowing) = very bad. Tight securing with some flex = good.

Best shade is done with something that totally blocks the sun. My 70% shade cloth had to be partially covered with a tarp on the hottest day last year and that radically increased the comfort level underneath.

FWIW.

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Oct 22, 2010 11:00 pm

Hey there, welcome to eplaya.

JK

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:32 am

Welcome.

LOL, everyone's actually older than the pretty young things in the pictures.

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:55 am

Check out this page on the building of a "monkey hut" for some possible inspiration..

http://www.chromatest.net/Lovemonkey/

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:42 am

You are in luck! The Civilized Explorer is a frequent poster on this board, under the name of Saunders Phil, usually in the Q&A, Tricks and Tips sub-forum.

And yeah, don't sweat the cute young things. The backbone of the event is people who have the time and/or money and/skills to make things happen. Most of the cuties are sprinkles rather than the actual cupcakes.

(Oh dear, that thread is influencing my metaphors.)

tamarakay · Post by **tamarakay** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 3:01 pm

Thank you to everyone for your kind responses. we will definately read through all the provided links and do some improving of the structure. I'm thinking i might need to make a second layer of fabric to help block sun. The parachute is a pink army surplus thing that doesn't look like it will block much desert sun really. We are currently working on the vehicle project, hitting garage sales for old bikes to harvest parts. Building a side by side bike, hopefully turning into a nest of a sort to ride around in. I've been sewing, and ken actually took some lessons and made a pair of pink pants to wear! so far, this part of burning man is a blast!

dragonpilot · Post by **dragonpilot** » Sun Oct 24, 2010 5:04 pm

Save yourself the trouble...when you arrive at Black Rock City just scout around a bit and camp next to someone who has already set up their shade structure...give them cookies (or berry-flavored infused chilled vodka) and they will give you shade!

LostinReno · Post by **LostinReno** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:35 pm

dragonpilot wrote:Save yourself the trouble...when you arrive at Black Rock City just scout around a bit and camp next to someone who has already set up their shade structure...give them cookies (or berry-flavored infused chilled vodka) and they will give you shade!

You can camp next to us! We have shade!

We did the parachute in '09, it was horrible, 3 people in our camp were injured from the PVC coming apart, after a LOT of modification, about 8 pounds of duct tape and a lot of rebar, it was somewhat secure. I'd save yourself the hassle and look into building a monkey hut or see if you can find a North Pole (we bought one last year and it was the bomb!, there are lots of threads on both)

gaminwench · Post by **gaminwench** » Mon Oct 25, 2010 12:40 pm

parachute+wind=sail...

also, parachute fabric has no UV protection; you can get scorched sitting in the 'shade'...

howdy!

howdy!

civilized explorer

thank you