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[GMCnet] Grid Beam construction [message #238697] Mon, 03 February 2014 20:29 Go to next message
Robin Hood is currently offline  Robin Hood   United States
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
Senior Member
Hiya, folks. Sorry I've been kind of quiet of late. I've been working crazy
hours at work, lots of overtime, because my student loans went up so now
I"m paying $1300 a month. It's killer. But I shall rise above it, As luck
would have it, that patch of land I have has finally attracted a possible
buyer, without the need for me to spend money on a dozer guy or risk life
and limb attempting to clear it with a chainsaw. :) So that will help. Will
have to see whether it pans out or not. Dana wants to the proceeds into the
Barn Queen. I'm leaning towards paying down one of the cars. Will burn that
bridge when I get to it.

Rob Mueller, Dana made a special message for you:
http://youtu.be/G_5M1rcvIrI

So, yeah, having the Barn Queen up and running will make doing art shows a
lot more fun for Dana. I bought her an EZup tent, got what I think was a
screaming deal on it at Sam's Club. 10x10 with sides and rolley bag and
awning for 200 bucks.

I built her some display panels out of screen doors, hardware cloth, and
felt. Once she saw what I was getting at, she took over. A display panel is
a cloth covered frame upon which one hangs artwork or whatever for sale or
display. It's portable and strong and looks good. Here's the Commercial Off
The Shelf version that costs thousands:
http://www.propanels.com/full-booth-designs/

Here's a video showing how me made some for about 50 bucks apiece:
http://youtu.be/hCF5lmV8f8I

Her art show is coming up Thursday evening in the artsy area of town. Can't
rely on power being available, and it's oil paintings she's trying to sell,
so lighting is a necessity. Also, I need to come up with a nice solution
for standing these panels up. Sure, I can zip tie the tops of the panels to
the frame of the tent, but I can do better.

Enter "grid beam" construction. Apparently, it's sort of like an Erector
Set for grownups. It's 2x2 sticks that have been drilled out at even
intervals in all four faces of the stick, http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm

I"m thinking that I can use this construction style to make a nice stand
and lighting support of the LED track lighting I'm going to pick up.

Since nobody SELLS this drilled sticks, you have to make it yourself, and
it's got to be done pretty darn accurately and with fairly close tolerances
or the parts won't line up correctly.

I picked up four sticks of treated 2x2 at Lowes, and commenced to
measuring. Also, left over from RobM's visit, there was a broken down
shipping crate he had used to transport the air conditioner he sold to
TomP. I grabbed some of the 2x2s from that stack.

RobM's 2x2s were apparently 1.5", or eat least 1 and 7/16". In comparison,
MY 2x2s were only 1 and 5/16". Argh. I"m glad I was still in the "stare at
this pile of stuff until a solution presents itself" stage. I guess I'm
just whining. I know that 2x2s and 2x4s haven't been that size in forever,
but I figured they'd at LEAST be 1.5x1.5! It's important, because the
distance between the centers of the holes needs to be the same as the width
of the sticks or the geometry doesn't work right.

Anyway, I figured the GMC forum is the kind of place that can probably
appreciate a way of easily fabbing things up, erector set style. :) Thought
y'all might enjoy. I've got the book coming from Amazon (used a gift card).
Maybe I can do a presentation some time at a GMC rally. :)





--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
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Re: [GMCnet] Grid Beam construction [message #238704 is a reply to message #238697] Mon, 03 February 2014 21:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Robin,

I expect that garage to cleaned up post haste or I will contact your Homeowners Association and have them enforce the Mueller Clean
Garage bylaw! ;-D

Make sure you tell Dana what I've noted! ;-D

BTW I note she spoke of renting a storage unit, if you guys decide to do that check what it would cost to get a unit just large
enough for the Pontiac it might work out cheaper.

If you do decided to go that route back the Pontiac into the storage unit so you can open the hood and remove the distributor rotor,
coil lead, and disconnect the battery it will stop thieves from stealing it.

Regards,
Rob M.


-----Original Message-----
From: Robin Hood

Hiya, folks. Sorry I've been kind of quiet of late. I've been working crazy
hours at work, lots of overtime, because my student loans went up so now
I"m paying $1300 a month. It's killer. But I shall rise above it, As luck
would have it, that patch of land I have has finally attracted a possible
buyer, without the need for me to spend money on a dozer guy or risk life
and limb attempting to clear it with a chainsaw. :) So that will help. Will
have to see whether it pans out or not. Dana wants to the proceeds into the
Barn Queen. I'm leaning towards paying down one of the cars. Will burn that
bridge when I get to it.

Rob Mueller, Dana made a special message for you:
http://youtu.be/G_5M1rcvIrI

So, yeah, having the Barn Queen up and running will make doing art shows a
lot more fun for Dana. I bought her an EZup tent, got what I think was a
screaming deal on it at Sam's Club. 10x10 with sides and rolley bag and
awning for 200 bucks.

I built her some display panels out of screen doors, hardware cloth, and
felt. Once she saw what I was getting at, she took over. A display panel is
a cloth covered frame upon which one hangs artwork or whatever for sale or
display. It's portable and strong and looks good. Here's the Commercial Off
The Shelf version that costs thousands:
http://www.propanels.com/full-booth-designs/

Here's a video showing how me made some for about 50 bucks apiece:
http://youtu.be/hCF5lmV8f8I

Her art show is coming up Thursday evening in the artsy area of town. Can't
rely on power being available, and it's oil paintings she's trying to sell,
so lighting is a necessity. Also, I need to come up with a nice solution
for standing these panels up. Sure, I can zip tie the tops of the panels to
the frame of the tent, but I can do better.

Enter "grid beam" construction. Apparently, it's sort of like an Erector
Set for grownups. It's 2x2 sticks that have been drilled out at even
intervals in all four faces of the stick, http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm

I"m thinking that I can use this construction style to make a nice stand
and lighting support of the LED track lighting I'm going to pick up.

Since nobody SELLS this drilled sticks, you have to make it yourself, and
it's got to be done pretty darn accurately and with fairly close tolerances
or the parts won't line up correctly.

I picked up four sticks of treated 2x2 at Lowes, and commenced to
measuring. Also, left over from RobM's visit, there was a broken down
shipping crate he had used to transport the air conditioner he sold to
TomP. I grabbed some of the 2x2s from that stack.

RobM's 2x2s were apparently 1.5", or eat least 1 and 7/16". In comparison,
MY 2x2s were only 1 and 5/16". Argh. I"m glad I was still in the "stare at
this pile of stuff until a solution presents itself" stage. I guess I'm
just whining. I know that 2x2s and 2x4s haven't been that size in forever,
but I figured they'd at LEAST be 1.5x1.5! It's important, because the
distance between the centers of the holes needs to be the same as the width
of the sticks or the geometry doesn't work right.

Anyway, I figured the GMC forum is the kind of place that can probably
appreciate a way of easily fabbing things up, erector set style. :) Thought
y'all might enjoy. I've got the book coming from Amazon (used a gift card).
Maybe I can do a presentation some time at a GMC rally. :)

Robin

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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Grid Beam construction [message #238705 is a reply to message #238697] Mon, 03 February 2014 21:39 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ronald Pottol is currently offline  Ronald Pottol   United States
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
Senior Member
I have a box of grid beams, 62', sells for just under $200 (170?), assorted
lengths. Ships from Willits California. I'll put some thoughts on a jig for
drilling them later.


On Mon, Feb 3, 2014 at 6:29 PM, Robin Hood <loxley@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hiya, folks. Sorry I've been kind of quiet of late. I've been working crazy
> hours at work, lots of overtime, because my student loans went up so now
> I"m paying $1300 a month. It's killer. But I shall rise above it, As luck
> would have it, that patch of land I have has finally attracted a possible
> buyer, without the need for me to spend money on a dozer guy or risk life
> and limb attempting to clear it with a chainsaw. :) So that will help. Will
> have to see whether it pans out or not. Dana wants to the proceeds into the
> Barn Queen. I'm leaning towards paying down one of the cars. Will burn that
> bridge when I get to it.
>
> Rob Mueller, Dana made a special message for you:
> http://youtu.be/G_5M1rcvIrI
>
> So, yeah, having the Barn Queen up and running will make doing art shows a
> lot more fun for Dana. I bought her an EZup tent, got what I think was a
> screaming deal on it at Sam's Club. 10x10 with sides and rolley bag and
> awning for 200 bucks.
>
> I built her some display panels out of screen doors, hardware cloth, and
> felt. Once she saw what I was getting at, she took over. A display panel is
> a cloth covered frame upon which one hangs artwork or whatever for sale or
> display. It's portable and strong and looks good. Here's the Commercial Off
> The Shelf version that costs thousands:
> http://www.propanels.com/full-booth-designs/
>
> Here's a video showing how me made some for about 50 bucks apiece:
> http://youtu.be/hCF5lmV8f8I
>
> Her art show is coming up Thursday evening in the artsy area of town. Can't
> rely on power being available, and it's oil paintings she's trying to sell,
> so lighting is a necessity. Also, I need to come up with a nice solution
> for standing these panels up. Sure, I can zip tie the tops of the panels to
> the frame of the tent, but I can do better.
>
> Enter "grid beam" construction. Apparently, it's sort of like an Erector
> Set for grownups. It's 2x2 sticks that have been drilled out at even
> intervals in all four faces of the stick, http://gridbeam.biz/photos.htm
>
> I"m thinking that I can use this construction style to make a nice stand
> and lighting support of the LED track lighting I'm going to pick up.
>
> Since nobody SELLS this drilled sticks, you have to make it yourself, and
> it's got to be done pretty darn accurately and with fairly close tolerances
> or the parts won't line up correctly.
>
> I picked up four sticks of treated 2x2 at Lowes, and commenced to
> measuring. Also, left over from RobM's visit, there was a broken down
> shipping crate he had used to transport the air conditioner he sold to
> TomP. I grabbed some of the 2x2s from that stack.
>
> RobM's 2x2s were apparently 1.5", or eat least 1 and 7/16". In comparison,
> MY 2x2s were only 1 and 5/16". Argh. I"m glad I was still in the "stare at
> this pile of stuff until a solution presents itself" stage. I guess I'm
> just whining. I know that 2x2s and 2x4s haven't been that size in forever,
> but I figured they'd at LEAST be 1.5x1.5! It's important, because the
> distance between the centers of the holes needs to be the same as the width
> of the sticks or the geometry doesn't work right.
>
> Anyway, I figured the GMC forum is the kind of place that can probably
> appreciate a way of easily fabbing things up, erector set style. :) Thought
> y'all might enjoy. I've got the book coming from Amazon (used a gift card).
> Maybe I can do a presentation some time at a GMC rally. :)
>
>
>
>
>
> --
> Robin Hood
> Jackson, MS
> 2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
> 1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
> 1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
> 1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Plato seems wrong to me today.
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1973 26' GM outfitted
Re: [GMCnet] Grid Beam construction [message #238721 is a reply to message #238697] Tue, 04 February 2014 04:53 Go to previous messageGo to next message
midlf is currently offline  midlf   United States
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
Senior Member
Some of the counties around here use a similar square steel tube, with the holes, for highway signs. Also look up "Zinc-Galvanized Perforated Square Tubes" on McMaster-Carr's website. You may be able to find similar product at metal supply houses in your area for somewhat le$$. Note that these sizes are designed to telescope into the next size up.

Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
Re: [GMCnet] Grid Beam construction [message #239993 is a reply to message #238721] Fri, 14 February 2014 09:06 Go to previous message
Robin Hood is currently offline  Robin Hood   United States
Messages: 1078
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 3
Senior Member
Marvel at my lack of basic shop skills and disregard for safety! :) (no
injuries resulted, you vultures) :)

http://youtu.be/PStrZzOzsyg


On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 4:53 AM, Steve Southworth <midlf@centurytel.net>wrote:

>
>
> Some of the counties around here use a similar square steel tube, with the
> holes, for highway signs. Also look up "Zinc-Galvanized Perforated Square
> Tubes" on McMaster-Carr's website. You may be able to find similar product
> at metal supply houses in your area for somewhat le$$. Note that these
> sizes are designed to telescope into the next size up.
> --
> Steve Southworth
> 1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
> 1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
> Palmyra WI
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



--
Robin Hood
Jackson, MS
2013 Subaru Outback "Top Flight"
1968 Pontiac Catalina "The Cheshire Cat"
1978 GMC Royale motorhome "Pinto Bean"
1977 GMC Palm Beach motorhome "Barn Queen"
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