Confuten1
exploitin strengths - perfectin weaknessess
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im in the prototype stage and just completed my first mach up. I got a few kinks to work out and a few improvements to make, but before i get all carried away and build the 30+ of these i need, I jus wanted to get some feed back from the farm first.
A couple of things first:
My building materials will be limited to PVC (1/2 inch) 1 55 gal drum per plant (mabe 2 plants per 55 gal drum cut in half) a dolley per plant, and a couple nickknacks i have laying around.
Cost was a major influence on the design of these. Im sure i can build these for 15$ or less per plant station(w/0 dolley) mabe 12$.
I originally wanted to exclude pvc in this design but after much back and forth, I gave in to the cost advantages of using it(plus i had a bunch laying around so reused a bunch of old stuff).
Heres what i got so far,
In this version the drum is cut in half @ 30 gals capacity. The trelis structure is 9 ft tall from the base so the max height i have to work with is 7 ft tall plant(9ft - 2ft of root mass). First screen is at 4ft and is a semi perfect 3x3ft grid. I havent attached my trellis yet but i plan on using @Capulator zigzag string method. Second screen is adjustable @ 6 inch increments. I used a 3/4 cross-attached with 3/4 to 1/2 reducers, easypeeziee. its secured with a #10 screw and wing nut bolt ( see pix #4)
I donot like the legs resting directly to the floor and I want them attached to the drum, originally i was gonna put them inside the drum but with the slope inside the drum, it made that idea unstable. I think im jus gonna screw the pvc legs directly to the lip of the drums or use some metal tie strap and wrap the legs to the drum, im not sure yet.
Inside the drum , at the bottom has these 2 caps that have threads for a 1/2 tube fitting (for drainage)
I jus gotta drill a hole on that nipple
I like that it breaks down easily and relatively compact. Thats important to me for storage and transportation. I have to build 30 of these at home and transport to final destination.
Next, ill be adding the dolley and properly securing legs to bottom base. I plan on form fitting the base of the drum to the dolley with metal flashing and a torch; place the metal flashing over dolley wood slats, heat up flashing with a torch, and when hot enough, placing the drum on the flashing, molding the thick plastic drum base to the dolleys dimensions. No slip n slide here.
Im also gonna drill holes and run the tubeing for a drain.
I have a couple other idea about stacking the cut drums and using the bottom as a catch ressie/ or using it as a stand for those plants not as tall as the others, canopy management issues.
Id love to hear about anything i might have missed/ overlooked. I need to build 30+ of these so i wanna get it right the first time.
Confu
A couple of things first:
My building materials will be limited to PVC (1/2 inch) 1 55 gal drum per plant (mabe 2 plants per 55 gal drum cut in half) a dolley per plant, and a couple nickknacks i have laying around.
Cost was a major influence on the design of these. Im sure i can build these for 15$ or less per plant station(w/0 dolley) mabe 12$.
I originally wanted to exclude pvc in this design but after much back and forth, I gave in to the cost advantages of using it(plus i had a bunch laying around so reused a bunch of old stuff).
Heres what i got so far,
In this version the drum is cut in half @ 30 gals capacity. The trelis structure is 9 ft tall from the base so the max height i have to work with is 7 ft tall plant(9ft - 2ft of root mass). First screen is at 4ft and is a semi perfect 3x3ft grid. I havent attached my trellis yet but i plan on using @Capulator zigzag string method. Second screen is adjustable @ 6 inch increments. I used a 3/4 cross-attached with 3/4 to 1/2 reducers, easypeeziee. its secured with a #10 screw and wing nut bolt ( see pix #4)
I donot like the legs resting directly to the floor and I want them attached to the drum, originally i was gonna put them inside the drum but with the slope inside the drum, it made that idea unstable. I think im jus gonna screw the pvc legs directly to the lip of the drums or use some metal tie strap and wrap the legs to the drum, im not sure yet.
Inside the drum , at the bottom has these 2 caps that have threads for a 1/2 tube fitting (for drainage)
I jus gotta drill a hole on that nipple
I like that it breaks down easily and relatively compact. Thats important to me for storage and transportation. I have to build 30 of these at home and transport to final destination.
Next, ill be adding the dolley and properly securing legs to bottom base. I plan on form fitting the base of the drum to the dolley with metal flashing and a torch; place the metal flashing over dolley wood slats, heat up flashing with a torch, and when hot enough, placing the drum on the flashing, molding the thick plastic drum base to the dolleys dimensions. No slip n slide here.
Im also gonna drill holes and run the tubeing for a drain.
I have a couple other idea about stacking the cut drums and using the bottom as a catch ressie/ or using it as a stand for those plants not as tall as the others, canopy management issues.
Id love to hear about anything i might have missed/ overlooked. I need to build 30+ of these so i wanna get it right the first time.
Confu
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