Recent comments in /f/DIY

junkman21 t1_iynjmpu wrote

Reply to comment by CvilleHokie605 in ZipLine Post by CvilleHokie605

One way or another you will need to build a landing platform. And stairs. So, you can use the back two 6x6s as both a platform base and an anchor for the guy wires plus, possibly, flood lights.

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DrBouvenstein t1_iynjes8 wrote

FYI, that's too much of a drop. The max. slope for a zipline is 3' of vertical per 100' of horizontal with no brake, and 6' of vertical if you are using a proper brake:
https://www.ziplinegear.com/pages/how-to-build-a-zip-line-section-one-concepts#:~:text=ZIP%20LINE%20MUST%20NEVER%20EXCEED,MAY%20CAUSE%20INJURY%20OR%20DEATH.

Please do not make a death trap zipline that drops 25' over only 225 feet of vertical.

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accountonbase t1_iyni3th wrote

Reply to comment by CvilleHokie605 in ZipLine Post by CvilleHokie605

You don't need to transport the pole intact, and rental trucks can be really cheap for a few hours. You would just need to find one and cut it into more manageable lengths for the truck.

Since they're usually 30-60 feet, even on the low end you could easily get two posts out of it. For example, this one is 35 feet and about 640 pounds. Even cutting it in half is manageable for you and two friends (ideally 3 and maybe even some pulleys or other assistance).

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You might even be able to find somewhere nearby that you can buy them from, but for that you really might need to talk to a utility contractor, and at that point it's probably cheaper to ask if you can get one they're going to replace so they don't have to haul it away themselves.

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CvilleHokie605 OP t1_iynh1ne wrote

Reply to comment by 5degreenegativerake in ZipLine Post by CvilleHokie605

So would you drill a hole at say 7ft above the ground on the 6x6, run the wire through it and then anchor it a block of concrete on the ground? If it comes to that I guess I can go that direction but the presence of a wire going from the post to the ground with kids running around creates a possible injury risk.

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5degreenegativerake t1_iyngbnw wrote

How about just use a 6x6 and add guy wires behind it? The 6x6 is more than enough for the vertical load, it’s the crazy cable tension that requires such a stout pole.

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CvilleHokie605 OP t1_iyn6v9n wrote

Reply to comment by [deleted] in ZipLine Post by CvilleHokie605

Can't drag it on the road that way :(

Zero trees in the vicinity of the start area. I do have a playset but there are warnings about not connecting it to playsets as they are not usually sturdy enough. All the vertical posts on that are 4x4s and I'd bet they'd snap under the load. I don't really want to build a big structure, just looking to try and comply with the load requirements with a vertical substitute for the 12" diameter post.

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[deleted] t1_iyn49fu wrote

Reply to comment by CvilleHokie605 in ZipLine Post by CvilleHokie605

Usually people just drag old utility poles with a chain. Had a friend do that when he built his pole barn.

Could you mount the high side to the tree instead? What about building a platform instead of a single pole?

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CvilleHokie605 OP t1_iymxks2 wrote

Reply to comment by nah-meh-stay in ZipLine Post by CvilleHokie605

Not that I'm aware of. I also do not have a vehicle or flatbed big enough to transport something so large so getting someone to have, let alone deliver, said post is not going anywhere. I'll look into the steel post idea.

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nah-meh-stay t1_iymwact wrote

Are there any telephone poles being replaced near you? Utility contractors can help find those.

You might be able to use a smaller diameter with steel post.

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Chapman79 t1_iyi3d3o wrote

What you’ve described is almost exactly what I did in my bus with wood glue and pocket screws. I used dimensional 2x2 as it’s stronger than the framing stuff. It has held up over more than 6,000 miles now. The 3/4 ply on top is overkill in my opinion. Use a good quality ACX and you’ll be fine with .5”. I used .5” on top and bottom of the 2x2 frame. There’s been no sag and I’d guess it’s holding 60-70 lbs plus the forces of driving.

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alperozt OP t1_iyi1xc7 wrote

Sagulator only calculates the sag of the wood shelf, not the frame, correct? I am a mechanical engineer (a computational modeler) and I tried to do the sag calculations myself with the frame but wood properties vary a lot and depending on what I chose, I got different results. Hence, maybe someone here has practical experience which supersedes my calculations.

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