So, I made a set of the pvc tent weights. They turned out fantastic. In fact I liked them so much, I wanted to make another set. Instead of making a special trip to pick up the pipe myself, I asked my wife to grab it on here way home, with a slight catch, the 10' pipe would need to be cut to fit her car... No big deal, they told her they can cut it to any length. So she told them 4 equal lengths...
Now with the instructions containing the word equal... you think that would be the cue to grab the measuring tape on the mans hip to get this right. Nahhhh, Old Eagle Eye threw caution to the wind and went to sawing.
He dropped them into the cart without her really looking at them until she got them home and well... take a look and you tell me what you think.
Sigh... tomorrow is a new day.
Ken
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Ken, I'm sure by now they're long completed but I was going to offer my two cents and tempt you to use square forms instead of round (4"x4" post covers vs. 4" PVC). I don't know the consensus on using square weights but it appeals to me because they won't roll and they're a better use of precious space.
When I eventually have to make a set for myself, I think I'm going with square weights (I presume they don't cause problems that round ones somehow avoid). Turns out concrete is barely heavier than packed, wet sand (approx. 2.4x and 2x heavier than water, respectively. And unless you're actually adding gravel to the mix, sanded portland cement is practically the same at 2.1x (http://www.csgnetwork.com/specificgravmattable.html). But check this out-- steel is 7.8x heavier than water and lead a whopping 11.3x (gold, you say? 19.3x!). So I'm going to figure out how to embed as much steel or lead shot/scrap as I can (at DIY prices, of course!). I doubt I can come across 100lb of lead easily (never priced 25# bags of lead bird shot) but I can get all the steel scrap and rebar I want off Craigslist or buy rebar at Home Despot if I have to. Displacing HALF the concrete volume with steel DOUBLES the weight vs. concrete alone. A lead cube only 5" on a side weighs over 51 pounds, surprisingly.
Since I've wanted to try my hand at polished concrete anyway (furniture, counters, coasters, whatnot), most likely I'll just mold an elegant design that integrates well with the tent pole (acid stained & polished, of course!). Might make an interesting piece of art in its own right. I'd probably inlay something cool, too, some relevant design in brass. Or my name so they don't walk off. LOL I guess I could just polish a chunk of granite instead, but its specific gravity is only 2.6-2.8, dang.
What, you don't have gold weights? ;)
Mine are round, but are painted to look like little bourbon barrels. They are a PITA if they roll, though. May have to try that idea with the post covers!
Yeah, had a similar experience with ye olde orange and white logo big box store - had lumber cut to build a marbling tray, and same thing, asked for pieces of the same length. Didn't realize until I go home that they weren't. Sigh. From now on, I will always supervise the cutting!
What became of that old carpenter's rule: measure twice, cut once?
Wow, he seems to have quite the eye for measurements -- a LAZY eye!
I feel your pain. You have to laugh!
We made some a few months ago and I bugged my husband to add handles to the weights, which he did reluctantly. (You have to do this before you fill with concrete.)
Now they work great, and much easier for me to handle, so I recommend that. You never know who might be helping load/unload, so spring for the hardware when you make them. Also, having the handles means we have more options when tieing two of them together if needed.
Handling tip for weights with handles...don't let your teenage son drop them on concrete. Crushed handles are of only moderate use...sigh
Ah the big box stores. I went to buy a new rug. Ideal size is 10 1/2 x 10 1/2. Of course the width is 12 so no fixing that. The sales lady was adamant that she was going to cut it at 12 x 11, saying you're going to pay for 11' anyway. I kept saying I don't want 11' I want 10 1/2 and I don't mind paying the extra $3 to get it cut the way I want. I ended up with 11' anyway. Sigh.
This would be great if you were building a pipe organ :-)
Now that comment really has me laughing. WOOHOO!
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