Broke ground yesterday

[ElSecundo]

It was a full-time job last week, building this thing. Had to get back to doing some things that needed doing before I leave for Michigan in a few days.

[ElSecundo]

Quick update -- a slight design change makes the platform more flexible than before, easier to use. We load tested the platform yesterday. The platform is at its weakest when it's in the lowest position, and when the platform sections aren't connected. Its weakest setup handled loads 5 times higher than what it will handle when the track is set up. Really pleased!

[Florida_Slotter]

ElSecundo,

If your camera needs new batteries, we will take up a collection for you.

Perhaps you need some help in taking photos? Harry might be available to help.

Seriously, we are all very, very interested in what you are doing. You're doing some ground-breaking stuff here.

I will not say it's worthless, (HRW supplied smiley), but this thread would certainly be enhanced . . . .




:text-worthless:

[ElSecundo]

Pictures forthcoming. :)

My camera is crap, new batteries won't help it. :lol:

[ElSecundo]

[slothead]

When this thread started I was very interested and followed every post. The magnitude of the project amazed me, though it seemed odd so much work was being invested in the table, Still, I checked in daily in hopes of seeing the project take shape. When things seemed to quiet down I wondered what had happened. Then I remember checking the original post date - April 1st, and thinking 'ok, you got me too'.

Am I now to believe that this is a real project? If so, forgive me for my suspicion, but I've swallowed the bait too often before with April Fools pranks not to be a bit cautious.

Slothead

[moparjenny]

It's a real project, Slothead. :)

[ElSecundo]

Well, ya got me. I've been photoshopping lumber and track parts for a month, and my nefarious scheme has finally caught up with me. Well done, sir.

I'm going back in the garage -- there are 80 photoshopped parts that need 80 holes photoshopped in them, and they're not going to photoshop themselves!

[JESIV]

Curious that you never see Kurt and the legs in the same place at the same time! AND those bricks do look remarkably similar to one another!

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...and it's err...you know...tuesday" GWB

[ElSecundo]

[ElSecundo]

Went through the garage this morning, and the platform has settled a bit more -- not much, and there's no hint of imminent failure.

My friend Brad, who's been a tremendous help in the design and build of this thing, had a new idea to simplify the design, and cut out a significant amount of work. If we used the idea, we'd fall short on one of the original design parameters, ie, height difference from 1.5 feet to 5.0 feet. We've achieved 1.0 feet to 5.0 feet, but this design change would mean 1.0 feet to 4.0 feet -- which might not be bad in terms of track visibility.

If we modified his idea to reach 5.0 feet, we'd lose some stability, and we'd have to compensate in some way. But in the 1.0 feet to 4.0 feet range, there are some big gains and some minor losses. I'm committed to the current design, though, and I'm expecting to have a second unit connected to the first this week. I know I won't work on it this weekend when Jenny gets here.

Large strides were made this weekend in terms of process. Process is very important to building this thing well, and building it efficiently. Current sticking point: I need some kind of template for aligning the legs and their bracing.

[ElSecundo]

[waaytoomuchintothis]

If those chains are the way elevation is held, I would urge you to consider using machine thread eyelet bolts with big fender washers to connect the chains to. Sooner or later, somebody is going to put too much weight on those "X" braces for the hardware that holds the chain ends, and they will shred that whitewood. By using big fender washers, you distribute the strain and multiply your chances of holding. "Jack chain" is a much more dependable chain than the folded link stuff, too.

Also, is there going to be a diagonal brace between the legs? "Racking", which is a horizontal motion in a parallelogram, could be a real problem later in construction. Have you already thought of this stuff?

[ElSecundo]

Rob, we put the first frame in its weakest possible configuration, and loaded it with five times its expected load. I left it there for a week, and it was solid. It gets stronger and stronger the more pieces are added to it, too, so I'm really not anticipating a problem. It will be at its strongest when the track is actually screwed to the rails.

[FootScoot]

Looks like a trip to Sellersburg is in order when this is finished. Very creative idea on the supports. :)