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Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=10095		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 15th, '11, 01:11 ]
Post subject:  Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
Hi, I've been a member of Barrelponics mailing list for some time. Just wanted to share something I designed here as well.

Image

I recently had a successful Kickstarter project for my "Open
Source Greenhouse". Here are the links to all the plans and information. Totally
free for everyone. Greenhouse costs $130 for frame and fasteners. Cover it with
whatever you want. It fits 4x8 sheet material easily. Lots of info here, and 80
minutes of build video. Enjoy!

OSG Quick Walkthrough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gh8nj5HK5J4

RBE YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/RBEglobal

OSG Video Playlist
http://www.youtube.com/user/RBEglobal#g ... 7031E566C5

OSG Build Manual
https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid= ... k&hl=en_US

OSG Sketchup Model
http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/ ... d01d9879f3

FLickr Gallery of Prototype OSG
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50914648@N ... 5605037406

OSG Kickstarter Project
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rea ... greenhouse
Author:  Dave Donley [ Jul 15th, '11, 04:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
:thumbright: Thanks!!
Author:  veggie boy [ Jul 15th, '11, 19:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
Good one buddy!
Author:  Wal [ Jul 15th, '11, 19:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
Looks excellent, well done!
Author:  Stedanko [ Jul 15th, '11, 23:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
Just watched your construction vids. Nicely done :D

I'd like to see how you attached the plastic and form-fitted it so nice to the roof. I've been looking at doing something like this to cover a circular area in my back yard, thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge!

Sted
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 16th, '11, 02:12 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
I'm doing the plastic covering video this weekend. It's simple, but you may need a visual.

The sides are *exactly* 6 feet tall (72"). What I did on the prototype was get 3 mil thick painters drop cloth plastic that came in 6 foot height. I used 3 of them to wrap the sidewalls. There is overlap at the corners.

I stapled the plastic with JT-21 staples. Small ones. Next step is what I'll show in the video. Take thin wood "trim" or molding, whatever is cheap for you, (even 1" wide metal strips?) and run 4 strips per wall section upright. This gets screwed to the wood frame and will act as full length "clamps" to hold the plastic securely. This way the plastic can only rip in small sections. If using 4 or 6 mil agricultural plastic it may never rip till the plastic itself dissolves.

Do this on the roof rafters too.

The roof is 6 large triangles. One per side. They all overlap each other by 1 1/2". They also hang down over the sidewalls slightly (like a yurt covering). I'm going to show how to staple these and run a bead of silicone caulk down each side (right over the corner rafters). This will keep them from leaking. They then get "clamped" by a long trim piece like I stated above.

It's very easy once you have the measurements of the plastic. I'll be laying a roof triangle out on video and putting a still frame in with exact measurements.

All this is for the people who just want to get it covered at extreme low cost. If you like, you can cut 4x8 sheets of polycarbonate greenhouse plastic corner to corner (making two right triangles). Flip one and put them together making a single large triangle. This fits perfectly on one roof side. So six 4x8 sheets for the entire roof.
The 22.5 degree roof slope (due to the 22.5 rafter cut) allows 4x8 sheet goods to fit exactly.

Image

Get it?
Just like this:

Image
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 16th, '11, 02:19 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
EDIT: Arghh. Never mind. Can't edit for some reason. ;)
Author:  Stedanko [ Jul 17th, '11, 00:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
Seems fairly easy to do, can't wait for the vid.

I see the double ring design at the peak of the roof rafters and I see a perfect opportunity to design a cupola. Have you considered this? A cupola could provide some very nice ventilation on really hot days.

Sted
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 17th, '11, 05:42 ]
Post subject:  Cupola
Yes, I built a small cupola on the original. I also had an opening hatch.

I'm going to make a video explaining what options you can do with the opening.
It's left wide open for people to experiment.

Also going to add large lower opening vents in every wall that swing out from bottom. This way you can get total airflow without getting rain inside. Air will flow naturally without fans due to the single opening in the roof peak.

This thing is a blank canvas for everybody to improve. It's a sturdy wind-shedding little building.
Bonus is that one person can completely build it themselves. No assistants needed.
Author:  earthbound [ Jul 17th, '11, 15:40 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
Hi RBE.... :wave1: Great work, really good to see people putting such effort into open source free information to help others.

I do like the idea of modding the middle at the top for a vent, you could do the same with the bottom of the "small" side panels as well..

Very nice... We'll add links for that on our main website in the info section.
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 18th, '11, 01:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
Yes, that's the exact plan I mentioned in the last post. Opening vents at the bottom of all sides and the central top vent.

I'm doing a series of videos that show equipment that works with this structure. Not all are Aquaponics, but the small solar videos are helpful for people wanting to run air pump backups etc. They are all "hands on" with no fluff.

My Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/RBEglobal
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 18th, '11, 01:17 ]
Post subject:  For larger greenhouses
I forgot to mention something.
For people that need much larger greenhouses (and have the money!):

Stimson Bow Roof Greenhouse Plans:
http://www.by-the-sea.com/stimsonmarine/bowroof.html

Image

Pics and info from somebody that built one:
http://www.microcruising.com/shed.htm


And the Kerr Center Hoop House by the Hanleys:
http://www.kerrcenter.com/publications/ ... /index.htm

Free plans there. Very nice new design. They invented a DIY tool to make it from square tubing.

Image
Author:  aman [ Jul 18th, '11, 06:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: Small DIY hexagon greenhouse
WOW. Really interesting stuff. I am going to settle down with a cider and watch you videos

I'm going to build a geodesic greenhouse over the winter ho house my aquaponics system.

I want it to be 100% solar/wind powered eventually although I might find it hard to get power to the location I have earmarked for the build so it might have to be solar from the outset.

Keep up the good work

aman
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 18th, '11, 06:28 ]
Post subject:  Re: Geodesics
I'm a Bucky Fuller fan from way back....but.
His designs are too far ahead of their time. We don't have proper covering materials yet.

The Eden Project in Cornwall UK is the best thing I've seen yet as far as coverings go for geodesics. Totally expensive.

My greenhouse is super easy, goes up with just one person, and takes 4x8 sheet goods with very little waste.

You will see in the videos. The only limit is the size. I use nothing longer than 8 feet because I want people to be able to do a "one man" build.

The Stimson Bow Roof is cheap and strong. It can be built as long as you like. It would be my first choice if I wanted to go larger. Standard rectangular sheet coverings work perfect on it. Nice skeleton frame too. Very clever.

But....for $130 US, try mine first. You have nothing to lose. And you will learn a lot.
Author:  RBEglobal [ Jul 18th, '11, 06:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: Bow Roof Gothic Arch Youtube
Here is a "sort of" crappy walkthrough of a Bow Roof or "Gothic Arch" greenhouse.
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