Just to give you an update, the bridge was repaired after
the last section fell down in the earlier Pineapple Express:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7478/1...ec573ed9_c.jpg

Those earlier storms took down a few nearby Monterey Pines, which
decapitated the Internet access to the bridge & the temporary power:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...e3aaedc1_b.jpg

We had to restring the Internet access in addition to the
electrical lines running for hundreds of feet along the forest floor:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7285/1...afb91b3e_c.jpg

We also had to detach the bridge from the support at the smaller
redwood trees (which are, themselves, at least 100 feet tall), but
we added a swinging cable, to take some of the load off the cables:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8574/1...55d6e1ec_c.jpg

Now the bridge is almost at the large redwood tree, almost 100 feet
from the starting point, and now 16 feet wide, instead of the original
10 feet wide for most of the length of the cable bridge:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7426/1...257e7858_c.jpg

Here is an underside view of the bridge (I can't fit the whole thing
into a single picture because it's too long from the ground looking up):
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Here's a side view (again, the hillside being what it is, I can't get
the whole thing into a single picture):
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7460/1...a6f74fab_b.jpg

Each section is 16 feet long, by 10 feet wide, and hung on the 3/8"
steel cable for support, and I'd say we're about 30 to 40 feet up:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...7e455b86_b.jpg

We still use the cargo net, slung between the trees, in order to
go back and forth to the big anchoring tree at the far end:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7303/1...15a30cd9_c.jpg

We only have about 8 feet to go, and we'll be at the big tree,
and ready to start building the two-story treehouse, which, in the
end, will include running water, electricity, Internet, etc.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7350/1...aeced5d3_c.jpg

Lots of work.
I live in the redwoods in Fort Bragg.
I have had thoughts of one special tree, and getting to the height where I
can see the ocean....
It is still a dream though.
John

"Danny D." wrote in message ...

Just to give you an update, the bridge was repaired after
the last section fell down in the earlier Pineapple Express:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7478/1...ec573ed9_c.jpg

Those earlier storms took down a few nearby Monterey Pines, which
decapitated the Internet access to the bridge & the temporary power:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...e3aaedc1_b.jpg

We had to restring the Internet access in addition to the
electrical lines running for hundreds of feet along the forest floor:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7285/1...afb91b3e_c.jpg

We also had to detach the bridge from the support at the smaller
redwood trees (which are, themselves, at least 100 feet tall), but
we added a swinging cable, to take some of the load off the cables:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8574/1...55d6e1ec_c.jpg

Now the bridge is almost at the large redwood tree, almost 100 feet
from the starting point, and now 16 feet wide, instead of the original
10 feet wide for most of the length of the cable bridge:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7426/1...257e7858_c.jpg

Here is an underside view of the bridge (I can't fit the whole thing
into a single picture because it's too long from the ground looking up):
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Here's a side view (again, the hillside being what it is, I can't get
the whole thing into a single picture):
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7460/1...a6f74fab_b.jpg

Each section is 16 feet long, by 10 feet wide, and hung on the 3/8"
steel cable for support, and I'd say we're about 30 to 40 feet up:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...7e455b86_b.jpg

We still use the cargo net, slung between the trees, in order to
go back and forth to the big anchoring tree at the far end:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7303/1...15a30cd9_c.jpg

We only have about 8 feet to go, and we'll be at the big tree,
and ready to start building the two-story treehouse, which, in the
end, will include running water, electricity, Internet, etc.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7350/1...aeced5d3_c.jpg

On Sun, 8 Feb 2015 04:55:14 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

Just to give you an update, the bridge was repaired after
the last section fell down in the earlier Pineapple Express:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7478/1...ec573ed9_c.jpg

Those earlier storms took down a few nearby Monterey Pines, which
decapitated the Internet access to the bridge & the temporary power:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...e3aaedc1_b.jpg

We had to restring the Internet access in addition to the
electrical lines running for hundreds of feet along the forest floor:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7285/1...afb91b3e_c.jpg

We also had to detach the bridge from the support at the smaller
redwood trees (which are, themselves, at least 100 feet tall), but
we added a swinging cable, to take some of the load off the cables:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8574/1...55d6e1ec_c.jpg

Now the bridge is almost at the large redwood tree, almost 100 feet
from the starting point, and now 16 feet wide, instead of the original
10 feet wide for most of the length of the cable bridge:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7426/1...257e7858_c.jpg

Here is an underside view of the bridge (I can't fit the whole thing
into a single picture because it's too long from the ground looking up):
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Here's a side view (again, the hillside being what it is, I can't get
the whole thing into a single picture):
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7460/1...a6f74fab_b.jpg

Each section is 16 feet long, by 10 feet wide, and hung on the 3/8"
steel cable for support, and I'd say we're about 30 to 40 feet up:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...7e455b86_b.jpg

We still use the cargo net, slung between the trees, in order to
go back and forth to the big anchoring tree at the far end:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7303/1...15a30cd9_c.jpg

We only have about 8 feet to go, and we'll be at the big tree,
and ready to start building the two-story treehouse, which, in the
end, will include running water, electricity, Internet, etc.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7350/1...aeced5d3_c.jpg


Is all of this subject to local building codes?
Seems to me somebody is going to end up dead from a long fall.

Vic Smith wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:49:38 -0600:

Is all of this subject to local building codes?
Seems to me somebody is going to end up dead from a long fall.

It's my understanding that the local building codes do not pertain
to tree houses.

"Danny D." wrote in message
...
Vic Smith wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:49:38 -0600:

Is all of this subject to local building codes?
Seems to me somebody is going to end up dead from a long fall.

It's my understanding that the local building codes do not pertain
to tree houses.


does your insurance cover it. Like when your buddy takes a header?

On Sun, 8 Feb 2015 08:01:33 -0800, "Pico Rico"
wrote:

It's my understanding that the local building codes do not pertain
to tree houses.


does your insurance cover it. Like when your buddy takes a header?


You fire the help before they hit the ground

Oren wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:21:15 -0800:

You fire the help before they hit the ground

That's a good idea, to get 'em off the payroll, before they hit
the ground.

Most of the neighbors have been pitching in, so, that's a large
payroll to downsize quickly.

Here's a view of the way down from the end closest to the big redwood:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7299/1...1f90346c_c.jpg

Pico Rico wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 08:01:33 -0800:

does your insurance cover it. Like when your buddy takes a header?

You'll notice our "insurance" consists of lots of safety lines.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7403/1...36e4cb9d_c.jpg

On Sun, 8 Feb 2015 04:55:14 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

Just to give you an update, the bridge was repaired after
the last section fell down in the earlier Pineapple Express:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7478/1...ec573ed9_c.jpg

Those earlier storms took down a few nearby Monterey Pines, which
decapitated the Internet access to the bridge & the temporary power:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...e3aaedc1_b.jpg

We had to restring the Internet access in addition to the
electrical lines running for hundreds of feet along the forest floor:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7285/1...afb91b3e_c.jpg

We also had to detach the bridge from the support at the smaller
redwood trees (which are, themselves, at least 100 feet tall), but
we added a swinging cable, to take some of the load off the cables:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8574/1...55d6e1ec_c.jpg

Now the bridge is almost at the large redwood tree, almost 100 feet
from the starting point, and now 16 feet wide, instead of the original
10 feet wide for most of the length of the cable bridge:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7426/1...257e7858_c.jpg

Here is an underside view of the bridge (I can't fit the whole thing
into a single picture because it's too long from the ground looking up):
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Here's a side view (again, the hillside being what it is, I can't get
the whole thing into a single picture):
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7460/1...a6f74fab_b.jpg

Each section is 16 feet long, by 10 feet wide, and hung on the 3/8"
steel cable for support, and I'd say we're about 30 to 40 feet up:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...7e455b86_b.jpg

We still use the cargo net, slung between the trees, in order to
go back and forth to the big anchoring tree at the far end:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7303/1...15a30cd9_c.jpg

We only have about 8 feet to go, and we'll be at the big tree,
and ready to start building the two-story treehouse, which, in the
end, will include running water, electricity, Internet, etc.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7350/1...aeced5d3_c.jpg


Don't all those trees sway (asynchronously!) in the wind?

You could occasionally get the equivalent of a rogue wave, a big spike
of acceleration.


--

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc
picosecond timing laser drivers and controllers

jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com
http://www.highlandtechnology.com

John Larkin wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:39:53 -0800:

Don't all those trees sway (asynchronously!) in the wind?

You could occasionally get the equivalent of a rogue wave, a big spike
of acceleration.

I'm not sure how they sway in the wind, but, we decoupled the 75-foot
long bridge from the middle trees after that last storm, and we're
hoping to see the bridge still there after the one that is raging as
we type.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7394/1...b70b7c5d_c.jpg

One thing we noticed is that, in the wind, the bridge actually *rises*
a few inches, like what happens with an airplane wing or a sailboat sail.

Since the bottom is dirtier, with respect to laminar flow, we suspect
the air flows faster over the top than over the bottom:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8647/1...7c0b7fba_b.jpg

The whole bridge is roughly the size of an airplane wing:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Danny D. wrote:
John Larkin wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:39:53 -0800:

Don't all those trees sway (asynchronously!) in the wind?

You could occasionally get the equivalent of a rogue wave, a big
spike of acceleration.

I'm not sure how they sway in the wind, but, we decoupled the 75-foot
long bridge from the middle trees after that last storm, and we're
hoping to see the bridge still there after the one that is raging as
we type.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7394/1...b70b7c5d_c.jpg

One thing we noticed is that, in the wind, the bridge actually *rises*
a few inches, like what happens with an airplane wing or a sailboat
sail.

Since the bottom is dirtier, with respect to laminar flow, we suspect
the air flows faster over the top than over the bottom:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8647/1...7c0b7fba_b.jpg

The whole bridge is roughly the size of an airplane wing:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

I hope you're a better engineer than the pros.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw

Your insurance company will likely cancel you in a moment when they find out
about this.

Bob F wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 13:02:33 -0800:

I hope you're a better engineer than the pros.

The Tacoma Narrows bridge is nothing like this, in length, anyway.
But, your point is well taken.

On Sun, 8 Feb 2015 19:10:02 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

John Larkin wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:39:53 -0800:

Don't all those trees sway (asynchronously!) in the wind?

You could occasionally get the equivalent of a rogue wave, a big spike
of acceleration.

I'm not sure how they sway in the wind, but, we decoupled the 75-foot
long bridge from the middle trees after that last storm, and we're
hoping to see the bridge still there after the one that is raging as
we type.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7394/1...b70b7c5d_c.jpg

Yeah, we're getting some wild gusts today in the Alemany Gap, a break
in the coast hills between the ocean and the bay, our own local wind
tunnel.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...MtSanBruno.JPG


One thing we noticed is that, in the wind, the bridge actually *rises*
a few inches, like what happens with an airplane wing or a sailboat sail.

Since the bottom is dirtier, with respect to laminar flow, we suspect
the air flows faster over the top than over the bottom:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8647/1...7c0b7fba_b.jpg

The whole bridge is roughly the size of an airplane wing:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Yikes. Suspension bridges have all sorts of aerodynamic issues.
Galloping Gertie and all that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw


--

John Larkin Highland Technology, Inc
picosecond timing laser drivers and controllers

jlarkin att highlandtechnology dott com
http://www.highlandtechnology.com

On 2/8/2015 4:13 PM, John Larkin wrote:

Yikes. Suspension bridges have all sorts of aerodynamic issues.
Galloping Gertie and all that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw

Susceptibility to vibration and resonance.

Why soldiers "route step" when marching across bridges.

--
eWoodShop: www.eWoodShop.com
Wood Shop: www.e-WoodShop.net
https://www.google.com/+eWoodShop
https://plus.google.com/+KarlCaillouet/posts
http://www.custommade.com/by/ewoodshop/
KarlCaillouet@ (the obvious)

In article , John Larkin
wrote:

On Sun, 8 Feb 2015 19:10:02 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

John Larkin wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 09:39:53 -0800:

Don't all those trees sway (asynchronously!) in the wind?

You could occasionally get the equivalent of a rogue wave, a big spike
of acceleration.

I'm not sure how they sway in the wind, but, we decoupled the 75-foot
long bridge from the middle trees after that last storm, and we're
hoping to see the bridge still there after the one that is raging as
we type.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7394/1...b70b7c5d_c.jpg

Yeah, we're getting some wild gusts today in the Alemany Gap, a break
in the coast hills between the ocean and the bay, our own local wind
tunnel.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...MtSanBruno.JPG


One thing we noticed is that, in the wind, the bridge actually *rises*
a few inches, like what happens with an airplane wing or a sailboat sail.

Since the bottom is dirtier, with respect to laminar flow, we suspect
the air flows faster over the top than over the bottom:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8647/1...7c0b7fba_b.jpg

The whole bridge is roughly the size of an airplane wing:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Yikes. Suspension bridges have all sorts of aerodynamic issues.
Galloping Gertie and all that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-zczJXSxnw

It's called flutter in aerodynamics. This is what happens when the
frequency of the aeolian tone matches the deck-twist resonant
frequency.

When it happens to an airplane wing, the airplane is usually lost.
Look at some of the film clips.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeroelasticity#Flutter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQI3AWpTWhM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl2E...ZiYkfdJzm_UaYq
vWwY4xeR7hil&index=7


One can greatly reduce the effect by spacing the boards apart by say an
inch, which will equalize the pressure. The world is full of rope
bridges over chasms, erected by people who never heard of aerodynamics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeolian_harp


The whole idea of rigid decks spanning flexible trees seems destined to
fail.

Joe Gwinn

Joe Gwinn wrote, on Sun, 08 Feb 2015 18:32:00 -0500:

One can greatly reduce the effect by spacing the boards apart by say an
inch, which will equalize the pressure.

We're currently using a Philips screwdriver blade as the spacer between boards.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7338/1...2c0d8465_c.jpg

Maybe we should use something thicker.
This is a great idea, which I will share with the bridge owner.

Thanks!

I am still wondering about the overall width of such a bridge.
I would think, that a smaller width would be stronger, and lighter, and
still manage to carry one over with parts and pieces to the actual tree
house.
just a few thoughts....
john

"Danny D." wrote in message ...

Just to give you an update, the bridge was repaired after
the last section fell down in the earlier Pineapple Express:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7478/1...ec573ed9_c.jpg

Those earlier storms took down a few nearby Monterey Pines, which
decapitated the Internet access to the bridge & the temporary power:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...e3aaedc1_b.jpg

We had to restring the Internet access in addition to the
electrical lines running for hundreds of feet along the forest floor:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7285/1...afb91b3e_c.jpg

We also had to detach the bridge from the support at the smaller
redwood trees (which are, themselves, at least 100 feet tall), but
we added a swinging cable, to take some of the load off the cables:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8574/1...55d6e1ec_c.jpg

Now the bridge is almost at the large redwood tree, almost 100 feet
from the starting point, and now 16 feet wide, instead of the original
10 feet wide for most of the length of the cable bridge:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7426/1...257e7858_c.jpg

Here is an underside view of the bridge (I can't fit the whole thing
into a single picture because it's too long from the ground looking up):
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Here's a side view (again, the hillside being what it is, I can't get
the whole thing into a single picture):
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7460/1...a6f74fab_b.jpg

Each section is 16 feet long, by 10 feet wide, and hung on the 3/8"
steel cable for support, and I'd say we're about 30 to 40 feet up:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...7e455b86_b.jpg

We still use the cargo net, slung between the trees, in order to
go back and forth to the big anchoring tree at the far end:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7303/1...15a30cd9_c.jpg

We only have about 8 feet to go, and we'll be at the big tree,
and ready to start building the two-story treehouse, which, in the
end, will include running water, electricity, Internet, etc.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7350/1...aeced5d3_c.jpg

On 2/7/2015 10:55 PM, Danny D. wrote:
Just to give you an update, the bridge was repaired after
the last section fell down in the earlier Pineapple Express:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7478/1...ec573ed9_c.jpg

Those earlier storms took down a few nearby Monterey Pines, which
decapitated the Internet access to the bridge & the temporary power:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...e3aaedc1_b.jpg

We had to restring the Internet access in addition to the
electrical lines running for hundreds of feet along the forest floor:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7285/1...afb91b3e_c.jpg

We also had to detach the bridge from the support at the smaller
redwood trees (which are, themselves, at least 100 feet tall), but
we added a swinging cable, to take some of the load off the cables:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8574/1...55d6e1ec_c.jpg

Now the bridge is almost at the large redwood tree, almost 100 feet
from the starting point, and now 16 feet wide, instead of the original
10 feet wide for most of the length of the cable bridge:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7426/1...257e7858_c.jpg

Here is an underside view of the bridge (I can't fit the whole thing
into a single picture because it's too long from the ground looking up):
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8642/1...972b0444_c.jpg

Here's a side view (again, the hillside being what it is, I can't get
the whole thing into a single picture):
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7460/1...a6f74fab_b.jpg

Each section is 16 feet long, by 10 feet wide, and hung on the 3/8"
steel cable for support, and I'd say we're about 30 to 40 feet up:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8598/1...7e455b86_b.jpg

We still use the cargo net, slung between the trees, in order to
go back and forth to the big anchoring tree at the far end:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7303/1...15a30cd9_c.jpg

We only have about 8 feet to go, and we'll be at the big tree,
and ready to start building the two-story treehouse, which, in the
end, will include running water, electricity, Internet, etc.
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7350/1...aeced5d3_c.jpg


Sorry to see the work being done over - and such.
We used to live on Hwy 9 off Glengary. Had about 100 of the sprouts
that came up after the clear cut making lumber for SFO. Mine were
between 100 and 130 feet When we left in 2006. Kinda miss the place.
Now I have large oaks and tall pines.

Martin

We reached a milestone this lovely sunny VD weekend in the mountains:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7370/1...48c61f1f_c.jpg

After four 16-foot sections, we're only about 4 or 5 feet from the tree:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8637/1...cbb11e00_c.jpg

I can't get the whole bridge in the picture, but here's a side view:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7284/1...14ed76cd_b.jpg

Here's an angled view showing the 10-foot wide sections:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7370/1...0511bfaf_b.jpg

And, here's a view showing the last set of 16-foot wide boards:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7414/1...ca7a421f_c.jpg

We're not sure how we're going to attach the end to the tree though:
https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7359/1...38b3ab6b_b.jpg

We wrestled two 16 foot beams to either side of the big tree for now:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8566/1...37d554c5_c.jpg

We're not sure how we're going to attach to the big redwood yet
though, so, that is our next engineering task to figure out.

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 06:25:51 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

We're not sure how we're going to attach to the big redwood yet
though, so, that is our next engineering task to figure out

When the dog finally walks out on the structure, you'll have it about
right

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:19:58 -0800, Oren wrote:

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 06:25:51 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

We're not sure how we're going to attach to the big redwood yet though,
so, that is our next engineering task to figure out

When the dog finally walks out on the structure, you'll have it about
right

Drill a big hole through it, and put a stainless bar through the hole.
Voila! Attachment pins!

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:24:43 +0000 (UTC), DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno
wrote:

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:19:58 -0800, Oren wrote:

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 06:25:51 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

We're not sure how we're going to attach to the big redwood yet though,
so, that is our next engineering task to figure out

When the dog finally walks out on the structure, you'll have it about
right

Drill a big hole through it, and put a stainless bar through the hole.
Voila! Attachment pins!

That should weaken the tree so it is sure to fail. Every see what
happens to trees, in high winds after woodpeckers make a hole in a
loblolly pine tree - they snap off during hurricane winds and
woodpeckers have no place to live (Carolina's - coastal region)

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:55:31 -0800, Oren wrote:


That should weaken the tree so it is sure to fail.

You should get a less weak grip of the facts.

A one inch hole drilled through the center meat of a Redwood? Hardly.
The stainless bar finishes the task. The tree would have no problem
growing around the bar, and even if it did not, it would not weaken the
tree ANY significant amount.

If the tree could take a 30 ton tornado force before, now it can only
take a 29.8 ton force.

Pretty much negligible, is the point.

You'd break the gear you hang on the pins before you'd break the pins or
the tree.

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:55:31 -0800, Oren wrote:

loblolly pine tree

Pine and Redwood are two entirely different trees.

DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno wrote, on Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:24:43 +0000:

Drill a big hole through it, and put a stainless bar through the hole.
Voila! Attachment pins!

Right now, the two 16-foot boards to the side of the tree are unattached
at the tree (they're screwed into the floating bridge only).
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8566/1...37d554c5_c.jpg

At the moment, the bridge is wholly supported by the cables and, at the
low end, by the posts we first cemented into the ground, when we started
this project in the untrampled woods.

It is time for those attachment pins you speak of though...

What we are thinking is that they sell these $100 treehouse attachment
bolts, designed specifically for trees (but they're expensive since
we'd use probably use four or six of them overall).
http://www.treehousesupplies.com/Tre...Bolts_s/41.htm

We can't find anything larger than one-inch wide bolts at our local
Home Depot, so, we have to order our bolts online, at any measure.

We're debating right now the feasibility of 1 inch or 2 inch bolts,
which are about twenty bucks each, versus the treehouse attachment
bolts which are five times as expensive.
http://treehouseparts.mybigcommerce....2-36-hardness/

So, that's our next question. What kind of bolts make the most sense,
keeping cost in the equation (if cost were no object, the treehouse
bolts would do quite well).

Danny D. wrote:
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno wrote, on Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:24:43 +0000:

Drill a big hole through it, and put a stainless bar through the hole.
Voila! Attachment pins!

Right now, the two 16-foot boards to the side of the tree are unattached
at the tree (they're screwed into the floating bridge only).
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8566/1...37d554c5_c.jpg

At the moment, the bridge is wholly supported by the cables and, at the
low end, by the posts we first cemented into the ground, when we started
this project in the untrampled woods.

It is time for those attachment pins you speak of though...

What we are thinking is that they sell these $100 treehouse attachment
bolts, designed specifically for trees (but they're expensive since
we'd use probably use four or six of them overall).
http://www.treehousesupplies.com/Tre...Bolts_s/41.htm

We can't find anything larger than one-inch wide bolts at our local
Home Depot, so, we have to order our bolts online, at any measure.

We're debating right now the feasibility of 1 inch or 2 inch bolts,
which are about twenty bucks each, versus the treehouse attachment
bolts which are five times as expensive.
http://treehouseparts.mybigcommerce....2-36-hardness/

So, that's our next question. What kind of bolts make the most sense,
keeping cost in the equation (if cost were no object, the treehouse
bolts would do quite well).

I don't know what kind of bolt you will use, but here is my experience
with bolts in a living tree: I fastened some wooden squirrel feeders
to trees using lag bolts and washers. In a year the tree grew AROUND
the bolt, pulling it through the plank of the feeder. I learned to
put a spring between the bolt head and the washer to allow for this.

A threaded SS bar through the tree might be a better option, making it
longer than needed so you could back off the nut as the tree grows.
Of course you would want a jam nut so that it would not back off by
itself.

--
 GW Ross 

 I am a mental tourist. My mind 
 wanders. 

On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 20:24:59 +0000, Danny D. wrote:

We can't find anything larger than one-inch wide bolts at our local Home
Depot, so, we have to order our bolts online, at any measure.

Just order the stainless bar stock and have your local auto machine shop
of chopper shop cut threads onto the ends.

Get square bar stock if you want to keep it from rotating.

On 2/16/2015 3:24 PM, Danny D. wrote:
DecadentLinuxUserNumeroUno wrote, on Mon, 16 Feb 2015 19:24:43 +0000:

Drill a big hole through it, and put a stainless bar through the hole.
Voila! Attachment pins!

Right now, the two 16-foot boards to the side of the tree are unattached
at the tree (they're screwed into the floating bridge only).
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8566/1...37d554c5_c.jpg

At the moment, the bridge is wholly supported by the cables and, at the
low end, by the posts we first cemented into the ground, when we started
this project in the untrampled woods.

It is time for those attachment pins you speak of though...

What we are thinking is that they sell these $100 treehouse attachment
bolts, designed specifically for trees (but they're expensive since
we'd use probably use four or six of them overall).
http://www.treehousesupplies.com/Tre...Bolts_s/41.htm

We can't find anything larger than one-inch wide bolts at our local
Home Depot, so, we have to order our bolts online, at any measure.

We're debating right now the feasibility of 1 inch or 2 inch bolts,
which are about twenty bucks each, versus the treehouse attachment
bolts which are five times as expensive.
http://treehouseparts.mybigcommerce....2-36-hardness/

So, that's our next question. What kind of bolts make the most sense,
keeping cost in the equation (if cost were no object, the treehouse
bolts would do quite well).

Are these bolts going to support the weight of the bridge? That seems a
bit awkward with the long length of the board. Does the support board
run under the bridge to be supported at the other end?

I think rather than drilling into the tree, I would make use of the
various branches and wrap a line around the tree trunk like a lasso
somewhat higher up than the walkway. The branches will keep it from
sliding down the tree without being tight. Drop the line to the walkway
or even pass it under and back up on the other side to the same or
another tree.

--

Rick

Oren wrote, on Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:19:58 -0800:

When the dog finally walks out on the structure, you'll have it about
right

Oren, ever since kooties and large feet, I've learned that when you
say the huckleberries are ripe, the huckleberries are ripe.

I should have taken a picture of it, but, the dog stays mostly on
the other side of the fence, not even close to the bridge anymore.

Certainly he doesn't venture out on the bridge.
Some day, I'll snap a picture if he does though.

For you, my friend.

5On Mon, 16 Feb 2015 20:17:24 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

Oren wrote, on Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:19:58 -0800:

When the dog finally walks out on the structure, you'll have it about
right

Oren, ever since kooties and large feet, I've learned that when you
say the huckleberries are ripe, the huckleberries are ripe.

I should have taken a picture of it, but, the dog stays mostly on
the other side of the fence, not even close to the bridge anymore.

Certainly he doesn't venture out on the bridge.
Some day, I'll snap a picture if he does though.

For you, my friend.

The dog is whispering to you... I'm still your huckleberry, though.

I'd hate to see a bean counter get hurt.

G

Oren wrote, on Mon, 16 Feb 2015 12:54:30 -0800:

The dog is whispering to you... I'm still your huckleberry, though.

I'd hate to see a bean counter get hurt.



Interestingly, that dog is fantastically protective!

When the mountain lion came by, and we didn't know it, he was
barking and yelping like crazy and growling, which is not his
normal nature. It was only later, when one of the animals got
killed, during the storm, where the dog was locked inside,
that we had realized what he was making all that commotion about.

So, now, the dog stays outside, with the rest of the animals,
to protect them, even during the storms (which may have abated
until next winter, by now).

I helped my neighbor with the 75-foot by 16-foot wide (at the tree)
bridge today, so I figured I'd show you some shots from below:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8652/1...82eebc34_c.jpg

Notice in that picture above that there is a "widowmaker" of about
ten feet long hanging in mid air, ready to fall. Also notice that the
"sucker" was cut flush, and the boards screwed to it ...just because
we could.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8567/1...45534049_c.jpg

We're close enough to the big redwood to touch it now!
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8592/1...40960476_c.jpg

Here's a view, looking down, at the big tree, inches away from it:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8660/1...cd2799dd_c.jpg

That's a milestone after so much work starting at the other end.
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8633/1...5ed77b68_c.jpg

I tried to get a picture to take the whole thing, from under:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8626/1...f7fe0fba_c.jpg

But, the best I can show you in a single pic is a side view:
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8584/1...052bebfa_c.jpg