Helix Spire

[masho]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gekUz6czk0[/youtube]

Helix Spire - Facebook

[vargaso]

I like it. Would have been cool for the Evolution theme last year, but I wouldn't let the theme dictate anything. Do it!

[masho]

Agreed Vargaso,

Unfortunately last year was my first and I wasn't up to speed. Thanks for the positive feedback.

Cheers.

[veleda]

What is the budget like for this thing?

[motskyroonmatick]

Cool. I'd love to check it out and watch it burn. Best of luck!

[LeChatNoir]

Wow, masho…

I really like this idea. I imagined it from way far away at night and just that thought gave me that excited,[i] “Let’s run and see what that is!â€

[masho]

What is the budget like for this thing?

Hey Veleda

currently mats off the top of my head....(trucking, fab, tools, power generation not included).

(200) 2x4's - $640 +/-
(2) 4x8 sheets 5/8" ply - $50
120' aircraft cable - $50
swaging - $45
rebar - $40
(8) 4x8 sheets hardiboard - fire sheild - $200
(1) deep cycle battery - $75
(4) steel stand off poles - $100
(?) nails - $120
(7) paper lanterns - $70
(7) led lighting strings - $70

So about $1500 +/- for mats.

[masho]

Cool. I'd love to check it out and watch it burn. Best of luck!

Us too, thanks Motsky

[masho]

[quote="LeChatNoir"]Wow, masho…

I really like this idea. I imagined it from way far away at night and just that thought gave me that excited,[i] “Let’s run and see what that is!â€

[LeChatNoir]

Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting (CCFL) gives off a lot of light for the watt and they’re pretty affordable. Usually less than $10 per pair. We’ll be using some UV CCFL's like these this year on our project.

gyre or oscillator could probably advise on this better then me, but CCFL's certainly seem to be more diffused/diffusable than LEDs.

[masho]

Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lighting (CCFL) gives off a lot of light for the watt and they’re pretty affordable. Usually less than $10 per pair. We’ll be using some UV CCFL's like these this year on our project.

gyre or oscillator could probably advise on this better then me, but CCFL's certainly seem to be more diffused/diffusable than LEDs.

Ossum. much appreciated.

[CapSmashy]

Simple, elegant and I can climb on it! I love it!

[CapSmashy]

On your materials list, what kind of 2x4's are using?

Last batch of stud length (7'9" instead of 8') 2 by's I picked up were around $1.10 apiece.

[Bounce530]

Can't wait to get up on top of this!!
Thank you.

[masho]

On your materials list, what kind of 2x4's are using?

Last batch of stud length (7'9" instead of 8') 2 by's I picked up were around $1.10 apiece.

We are pricing 2x4x8 standard spf (spruce,pine,fir a la man bear big). What we use in the end depends on the build location. Makes sense to me to pay for the shorter versions as the sticks get shorter though, less waste and cost, a win win, thanks Cap.

[masho]

Can't wait to get up on top of this!!
Thank you.

Likewise

[theCryptofishist]

On your materials list, what kind of 2x4's are using?

Last batch of stud length (7'9" instead of 8') 2 by's I picked up were around $1.10 apiece.

We are pricing 2x4x8 standard spf (spruce,pine,fir a la man bear big). What we use in the end depends on the build location. Makes sense to me to pay for the shorter versions as the sticks get shorter though, less waste and cost, a win win, thanks Cap.

masho, you have no idea what a mind-fuck this post was to me.

(And not for anything you could guess or that I could hold you responsible for, it's just weird and you can sort of dismiss it.)

[masho]

We are pricing 2x4x8 standard spf (spruce,pine,fir a la man bear big). What we use in the end depends on the build location. Makes sense to me to pay for the shorter versions as the sticks get shorter though, less waste and cost, a win win, thanks Cap.

masho, you have no idea what a mind-fuck this post was to me.

(And not for anything you could guess or that I could hold you responsible for, it's just weird and you can sort of dismiss it.)

Sorry Crypto I wasn't trying to being malicious or vague although I apparently succeeded on both counts. Hopefully it doesn't come between us. My apologies.

[theCryptofishist]

We are pricing 2x4x8 standard spf (spruce,pine,fir a la man bear big). What we use in the end depends on the build location. Makes sense to me to pay for the shorter versions as the sticks get shorter though, less waste and cost, a win win, thanks Cap.

masho, you have no idea what a mind-fuck this post was to me.

(And not for anything you could guess or that I could hold you responsible for, it's just weird and you can sort of dismiss it.)

Sorry Crypto I wasn't trying to being malicious or vague although I apparently succeeded on both counts. Hopefully it doesn't come between us. My apologies.

No you were not being malicious or vague. I saw something in the totality of the post which simply isn't there without a couple extra facts/experiences that I have and you don't. Please don't think you offended me, I just experienced a little oddness there, that's all.

[masho]

good, Thanks Crypto

[domitron]

This will be very awesome on the playa. The helix is mysterious and beautiful. One thing I really like about it is the simplicity and low cost. It'll be awesome to see it burn too!

[masho]

This will be very awesome on the playa. The helix is mysterious and beautiful. One thing I really like about it is the simplicity and low cost. It'll be awesome to see it burn too!

Thanks for the positive feedback. Nice to know that somebody appreciates a little restraint.

[masho]

new renderings

[LeChatNoir]

How are you planning on dealing with the possibility of racking in the structure. A square without diagonal bracing and fastened only at the corners could easily become a trapezoid.

[masho]

How are you planning on dealing with the possibility of racking in the structure. A square without diagonal bracing and fastened only at the corners could easily become a trapezoid.

We have a scheduled full build prior to burning man in mid-july to work out the kinks.

"So far" we haven't had any racking issues but we haven't built to full height either. The small scale models we've built have acted more like a cylinder than a series of stacked up rectangles. The rotation of the rectangular layers creates two triangles every layer or 4 triangles every pair of layers (one full square) parallel to the horizontal plane which stiffens the structure. So basically the shape of the tower reinforces it self. It is more or less a "helix" after all.

We are also using the connection between members to prevent racking. Initially we looked into using lag bolts, which ends up being a lot of work. Next we moved on to thru-bolts which worked better but unfortunately the thru-bolts acted as a "pin" connection which was counter productive. Currently we are using crossed toenails which has worked well so far.

In the end if we find we still don't have enough torsional bracing after the structure is at full height we'll add crossed cable tension bracing or simpson mst trap bracing (more "x's basically).

[LeChatNoir]

Ah, yes. After looking at it again, I see that each corner is actually a small triangle. One idea coud be to use high quality screws instead of nails. This would probably give a better connection and allow disassembly/reassembly as well.

I used ones like these here to build a porch last year. Pricey, but I was really impressed with them self drilling and a long shank so they don't jack the top board like a typical screw.

Pulls down very tight.

[masho]

Those are some great screws in my experience and as many will attest, a little screwing is a good thing. . They'd do the job nicely, especially in regards to cinching things up. Thanks.

[masho]

The spire is coming along nicely. We are happy to say that with relatively few fasteners the spire is stable and easy to climb. With a bit of anchoring, compression cables and some lateral support we should be in good shape.

Here are a few preliminary build pix. This pictured segment of the tower is roughly 7' tall or 1/4 of the entire tower.

If you are curious and want to see more pictures " click here"
If you are interested in helping out in some way join the Facebook group "Faceneedle "
If you still can't get enough check out our official "website"

[bm_cricket]

Beautiful! My great words of advice as a builder, burner, and playa idiot: Over engineer your structure!

If you can think of a way for someone to hurt themselves on it, or break it, or hurt someone else, or break something related to it... they there are 10 other ways you haven't even considered. Burners are talented and creative people. They will find a way. In other words over engineer it!

Once again I must say how much I like it. It's elegant in it's simplicity. I look forward to seeing it this summer!!

Please don't take my advice as condescending. I love this project and I love your effort to contribute to the experience on the playa. Since you said this was only your second year and your first playa project I just wanted to remind you of who and what you are dealing with. Burners and Black Rock desert both require a level of idiot proofing and environmental extremes you would usually only encounter by building a children's playground in Antarctica. Black Rock is a special place!

[masho]

My great words of advice as a builder, burner, and playa idiot: Over engineer your structure!

Thanks for the sage advice. We'll do our best.

Burners are talented and creative people. They will find a way.....

I couldn't agree more.

Once again I must say how much I like it. It's elegant in it's simplicity. I look forward to seeing it this summer!!

Excellent. We look forward to meeting you.

Please don't take my advice as condescending. I love this project and I love your effort to contribute to the experience on the playa.

Hadn't crossed my mind until you brought up.
Again, thanks, we really appreciate your thoughts and advice.

Cheers