Revisiting some of my projects

Time is a great teacher. There are many times when I write my column then put it away to be read at a later date. During the later review, I realize what needs to be removed, what needs further explanation and even typographic errors.

This same situation occurs in the projects I perform as I often change them after construction has finished. A “finished” project reveals its flaws to me much more readily after I can step back and look at a full scale model.

I built a Manitoba fly trap about two years ago. The fly trap is a pyramid-shape contraption that allows flies access through the bottom then directs them to seek sunshine by climbing or flying up the interior of the pyramid until the end of their trip occurs inside a one gallon pickle jar.

I tried to save money on the construction of the fly trap. I used plastic to cover the frame and attempted to paint the plastic in order to block sunlight from the portions where none was needed. The plastic ripped and I eventually removed it. I replaced the portion of the body that needed to block sunshine with 1/4 inch plywood. I then used fabric cloth (screen) to over the part of the frame that needed to allow sunlight. All of this additional weight meant the four main legs needed extra support as they began to crack from the weight. I wanted to correct his problem and let my readers know before construction revealed flaws in the design.

It was not careful review that made me modify my second project — the tornado shelter. I crawled inside it this winter and imagined how I would feel in the event we had to use the shelter. I decided it needed more structure out of pure fear.

The tornado shelter is actually based on plans for an outdoor tornado shelter; however I built it in the angle beneath our steps. In between the double-thick and hurricane-strapped studs I decided to add more two-by-four boards. In between each bank of studs, I stacked more two-by-fours one on top of the other from the bottom to the top. Each stacked board is glued to the one beneath it and also fastened to the stud on either end. I remembered this is the way they used to build grain elevators. I’ve seen old grain elevators topple over and still not implode so I thought this might be a good additional design feature.

After the glue dried, I then covered the whole mess with plywood that was glued and fastened to that mass of wood. This will then be covered with car siding to make it look nice.

It will either be a wooden cocoon or wooden coffin, however the more glue I smell and screw heads I see; the more I trust the shelter’s integrity.

I’ve always said I typically build my projects three times before I am satisfied. Maybe time and experience have brought that number down to two. Anyway, I share my projects with you so I like to share my repairs and improvements as well.

Here are the original stories about these projects: http://bit.ly/J0NvNY (the fly trap) and http://bit.ly/I0IgMi (the shelter).

Nelson blogs about rural life at rreflection.areavoices.com

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