perthmum
26th July 2010, 01:38 PM
Here's the pictures of the new part of the fort. The top level still has a little bit of movement and although it's fine for the kiddies i want to make it adult proof (it's anchored in with ground anchors but still a small amount of wobble).
What would you do? Cross brace the end with the blue slide on it or diagonal brace a few extra posts on each of the 3 sides of the upper deck?
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/voodooskies/22-07-10_1738.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a188/voodooskies/20-07-10_0742.jpg
AlexS
26th July 2010, 06:29 PM
Diagonal braces. The triangles are much more rigid than the rectangles you'll still have with cross-bracing.
perthmum
26th July 2010, 06:37 PM
Ok cool thanks!!!
The floor height is 1.5m, how many diagonals would you use?
AlexS
26th July 2010, 09:12 PM
In theory, one diagonal on each rectangle should be fine. Just make sure they're well bolted on.
murray44
26th July 2010, 10:56 PM
I agree that one brace per rectangle would be fine but I wouldn't do them cormer to corner. It looks like the sort of thing that the kids will inevitably want to climb under so I would just put small braces on each top corner. Maybe just try one short brace on each rectangle and see how you go.
You want them to be big enough to be effective but not that big that they get in the way and the kids will bang their head every time they climb under. Maybe make them 400mm, and as Alex says, make sure they are well bolted on.
Just noticed something else. Close that hook on the top of the rope ladder and get rid of the excess thread on top. That's the sort of thing a kid could get their jumper hooked on and not be able to get off, a real choke hazard if they slip and get hung on it.