Post by capnjonny on Jul 3, 2014 11:05:18 GMT -8
Here are some photos of the awning I am making for my 65 Shasta compact.
s1252.photobucket.com/user/143cabinets/library/awning?sort=3&page=1
I started by buying a pack of 5 3/8" nylon sail slides from the local West Marine store. They are available online also either in all nylon or with a stainless bail for a bit more each. They are also available in 5/16" which would slide easier and probably stay in the track.
Next I went to Orchard Supply Hardware and bought a 5x7ft white tarp. I don't think it will stand up to very strong winds but I wanted to start out small and cheap ( $6. ) and I wanted it white.
I then attached another 2 blue plastic grommets I had in the shop to one of the 7 ft sides making 5 total.
Zip ties are used to connect the slugs to the tarp. Another possibility which would make installation easier would be to put the sail slides in the track permanently and use s hooks or snap hooks to attach the tarp.
Poles were made from Golden bamboo that grows in my back yard. This is incredibly strong stuff, is light, and was free. time will tell how well it works. I left a couple small branch shoots on the poles which will make good places to hang a lantern.
I cut the bamboo as close to the nodes as possible as that is a strong point. It is also solid all the way through the pole so a screw can be screwed into it. Where I couldn't cut exactly at the node I shaped a small oak stick to a round profile the same size as the interior hollow of the bamboo and glued it inside. Then I drilled the oak for the screw. At the top and bottom are 3/4" rubber bumpers with the screws at top sticking up 1" so they can go through the grommets and hold the guy ropes.
I will make 3" x 3" x 1/2" pads with a closet pole escutcheon at top to receive the pole end and the screw through the escutcheon protruding through the pad 2-3". If necessary to set up on asphalt a small hole in the corner of the pad can take a 2" concrete nail . I made simple line tensioners from 1/2" plywood.
I haven't set everything up yet but see no problems assuming the tarp is strong enough. There is a heavy duty white tarp but it is $25. and too large for my needs. There are lots of other sizes and colors of tarps. I also have a large billboard canvas I stretched out for an awning when I was working on my restoration. It is very heavy and could be made into an awning if I want to . The only down side is it is white on one side and has a 10 ft high picture of Will Smith on the other, having once been a ---Billboard!!!
s1252.photobucket.com/user/143cabinets/library/awning?sort=3&page=1
I started by buying a pack of 5 3/8" nylon sail slides from the local West Marine store. They are available online also either in all nylon or with a stainless bail for a bit more each. They are also available in 5/16" which would slide easier and probably stay in the track.
Next I went to Orchard Supply Hardware and bought a 5x7ft white tarp. I don't think it will stand up to very strong winds but I wanted to start out small and cheap ( $6. ) and I wanted it white.
I then attached another 2 blue plastic grommets I had in the shop to one of the 7 ft sides making 5 total.
Zip ties are used to connect the slugs to the tarp. Another possibility which would make installation easier would be to put the sail slides in the track permanently and use s hooks or snap hooks to attach the tarp.
Poles were made from Golden bamboo that grows in my back yard. This is incredibly strong stuff, is light, and was free. time will tell how well it works. I left a couple small branch shoots on the poles which will make good places to hang a lantern.
I cut the bamboo as close to the nodes as possible as that is a strong point. It is also solid all the way through the pole so a screw can be screwed into it. Where I couldn't cut exactly at the node I shaped a small oak stick to a round profile the same size as the interior hollow of the bamboo and glued it inside. Then I drilled the oak for the screw. At the top and bottom are 3/4" rubber bumpers with the screws at top sticking up 1" so they can go through the grommets and hold the guy ropes.
I will make 3" x 3" x 1/2" pads with a closet pole escutcheon at top to receive the pole end and the screw through the escutcheon protruding through the pad 2-3". If necessary to set up on asphalt a small hole in the corner of the pad can take a 2" concrete nail . I made simple line tensioners from 1/2" plywood.
I haven't set everything up yet but see no problems assuming the tarp is strong enough. There is a heavy duty white tarp but it is $25. and too large for my needs. There are lots of other sizes and colors of tarps. I also have a large billboard canvas I stretched out for an awning when I was working on my restoration. It is very heavy and could be made into an awning if I want to . The only down side is it is white on one side and has a 10 ft high picture of Will Smith on the other, having once been a ---Billboard!!!
