Build Techniques
-
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: June 29th, 2008, 7:37 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: TX
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 3 times
- Contact:
Build Techniques
Well thought it would be good to start discussing build techniques.
I make a frame to build the different parts of a tower and connect them using a cardboard inner frame to lean the base sides against.
So discussions on building techniques or better ideas?
I make a frame to build the different parts of a tower and connect them using a cardboard inner frame to lean the base sides against.
So discussions on building techniques or better ideas?
-
- Staff Emeritus
- Posts: 395
- Joined: January 11th, 2009, 7:10 am
- Division: Grad
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Build Techniques
I haven't built a tower yet, but I was thinking I would try building it in 2 sections. With the chimney (the part that must constrict to a certain diameter) being fully constructed with a jig, then placed on the base of the tower, which would probably also use a jig.
When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.
- lllazar
- Member
- Posts: 839
- Joined: November 19th, 2009, 7:20 pm
- Division: C
- State: IL
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Build Techniques
My first design right, to say, test the waters of tower building for me personally (as i was good at bridge but am new to towers), will involve the following:
Im planning to build the two sides of the tower using a template probably drawn out on a poster, which will then be taped to a piece of cardboard. Using thumbtacks, i will keep the pieces of wood from moving, and build.
I'll probably use a jig to then brace the two sides together.
I have a few questions on tower parameters...is there going to be a set diameter circle within which the top of the tower must fit?
Thanks
Im planning to build the two sides of the tower using a template probably drawn out on a poster, which will then be taped to a piece of cardboard. Using thumbtacks, i will keep the pieces of wood from moving, and build.
I'll probably use a jig to then brace the two sides together.
I have a few questions on tower parameters...is there going to be a set diameter circle within which the top of the tower must fit?
Thanks
2011 Season Events~
Fossils (Regionals ~1st) (State ~6th)
Towers (Regionals ~1st) (State ~3rd)
Helicopter (Regionals -3rd gahhh) (State ~5th)
Wind Power (Regionals ~1st) (State ~3rd TIERED!)
Hooray for getting everything i wanted?
Fossils (Regionals ~1st) (State ~6th)
Towers (Regionals ~1st) (State ~3rd)
Helicopter (Regionals -3rd gahhh) (State ~5th)
Wind Power (Regionals ~1st) (State ~3rd TIERED!)
Hooray for getting everything i wanted?
-
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: June 29th, 2008, 7:37 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: TX
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 3 times
- Contact:
Re: Build Techniques
Yes from what i have seen there will be an circle that the top of the tower will have to fit through it will most likely be 8cm.lllazar wrote: I have a few questions on tower parameters...is there going to be a set diameter circle within which the top of the tower must fit?
Thanks
-
- Staff Emeritus
- Posts: 395
- Joined: January 11th, 2009, 7:10 am
- Division: Grad
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Build Techniques
If the restriction is 8cm (very likely) then assuming you use a square cross section, that would mean you would have to have a side length of about 5.6cm. of course the loading block will be 5cm by 5 cm, but to me, a taper of .6 cm across a length of 35cm is going to quickly lead to tipping over. So what would be the limit to the size your tower could taper to? If you are limited to a 1/4 inch loading bolt/chain (.6cm) then you could probably safely taper down to 1 cm? That would be plenty of taper.
When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.
-
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: June 29th, 2008, 7:37 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: TX
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 3 times
- Contact:
Re: Build Techniques
Well that sounds like a good design.Paradox21 wrote:If the restriction is 8cm (very likely) then assuming you use a square cross section, that would mean you would have to have a side length of about 5.6cm. of course the loading block will be 5cm by 5 cm, but to me, a taper of .6 cm across a length of 35cm is going to quickly lead to tipping over. So what would be the limit to the size your tower could taper to? If you are limited to a 1/4 inch loading bolt/chain (.6cm) then you could probably safely taper down to 1 cm? That would be plenty of taper.
The only problem I see with that is most of the loading blocks I have seen the bolt is larger than 1cm diameter.
Personally I wouldn't taper more than to 2cm just to make sure that the loading block wouldn't have a problem.
- Pleiades
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 563
- Joined: April 14th, 2008, 4:16 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: AL
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 1 time
Re: Build Techniques
Do you happen to know what will likely be defined as "top of the tower"? Upper 35cm?robotman09 wrote:Yes from what i have seen there will be an circle that the top of the tower will have to fit through it will most likely be 8cm.lllazar wrote: I have a few questions on tower parameters...is there going to be a set diameter circle within which the top of the tower must fit?
Thanks
-
- Admin Emeritus
- Posts: 1447
- Joined: June 29th, 2008, 7:37 pm
- Division: Grad
- State: TX
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 3 times
- Contact:
Re: Build Techniques
It will be closer to 50 I believePleiades wrote:Do you happen to know what will likely be defined as "top of the tower"? Upper 35cm?robotman09 wrote:Yes from what i have seen there will be an circle that the top of the tower will have to fit through it will most likely be 8cm.lllazar wrote: I have a few questions on tower parameters...is there going to be a set diameter circle within which the top of the tower must fit?
Thanks
-
- Exalted Member
- Posts: 343
- Joined: November 14th, 2008, 5:17 am
- Division: Grad
- State: PA
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Build Techniques
Yes, upper 35 cm for C division.Pleiades wrote:Do you happen to know what will likely be defined as "top of the tower"? Upper 35cm?robotman09 wrote:Yes from what i have seen there will be an circle that the top of the tower will have to fit through it will most likely be 8cm.lllazar wrote: I have a few questions on tower parameters...is there going to be a set diameter circle within which the top of the tower must fit?
Thanks
Harriton '10, UVA '14
Event Supervisor in MA (prev. VA and NorCal)
Event Supervisor in MA (prev. VA and NorCal)
-
- Staff Emeritus
- Posts: 395
- Joined: January 11th, 2009, 7:10 am
- Division: Grad
- Has thanked: 0
- Been thanked: 0
Re: Build Techniques
I think Pleiadas means the part of the tower that must constrict to a certain diameter. For C div, that would be the top 35cm. The tower itself must be at least 50cm.
When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests