More input

Met with Travis Sierra, owen, Mike, Sien and Joe. They all had great suggestions and solutions. looks like we will use trucks and come-alongs as the power source to hoist the structure. I'll alter the gin poles so that the pulley can be built into it. And I'll add some more bracing to help make the sides more rigid and distribute the load more evenly. This is going to be a big test of concepts and I think we are going to do well.

This is going to be a big test of concepts and I think we are going to do well. We spent all night hashing out ideas. We talked about everything from hoisting options to fire starters. Still need a dedicated crew for Burningman itself. I'll send the call for assistants further afield.

Refined model

I've taken all the recommendations and designed a new model with sturdier legs, eye bolts to guide the cable, and a sexier curve. Plus I've added tie downs and worked out a construction order.

close encounter

Does anyone remember the famous scene in the movie "Close Encounters" where Richard Dreyfuss' character, obsessed with an image in his head, starts ripping out the shrubs and throwing dirt and plants into his house so that he can build the model? You may have never seen it because in the Special Edition, Speilberg cuts that scene. Well I am having a little model scene myself today. Getting very excited. I've incorporated Some of Big Jawns suggestions and things are working well. Still working on the wind issues but for now I want to get the Playa Del Fuego version up and use that as a learning tool.

My construction model

Well I've been working with my construction model to see how to raise the sections off the ground while they are bolted together. I have worked out a design for the metal plates that connect the masonite down the spine and I've got a good relationship with a local sheet metal fabricator to make my custom connection plates.

I started building in the back yard and so far each leaf (2ft X 16 ft) is pretty strong. Manhandling and dragging them around has not damaged anything or loosened the connections. But obviously I need big fender washers to spread the fastener load. I am using 3/8" hex bolts to connect the individual leaves together down the spine. Big Jawn suggested using eye bolts on the inside of the spine to guide a cable for hoisting. At this point it is unclear whether this cable will need to remain after construction.