Starplate success?

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My husband and are are the proud owners (ha!) of a set of Starplates, and we are wondering if anyone has built with them or knows of anyone who has........

One specific question: Instructions state to use 2 x 4s - we know of someone who has used 2 x 6s - Also, Instructions state to use 9' boards & we know of someone who has used 11' boards....Anyone have any experience in using materials other than recommended in the instructions?

THANKS SO MUCH

-- hmm (h.m.metheny@att.net), January 19, 2002

Answers

OK, I need to ask... I've heard the term before, but still don't know... What are starplates??

-- Mary (zoots25@hotmail.com), January 19, 2002.

Sorry - I should have explained a little bit more -

They are small steel frame connectors that you use to build a sort of geodesic structure. You use brackets & bolts to connect your 2 x 4s & make a frame structure......Hope that explains it - (I feel like I'm rambling - it's hard to describe without a picture!) ;)

I also see that Ted Holt has built a starplate storage building! Woo - hoo! ;)

-- hmm (h.m.metheny@att.net), January 19, 2002.


Just thought of another way to explain starplates - they're like the connectors in TINKER TOYS! ;)

-- hmm (h.m.metheny@att.net), January 19, 2002.

I built a greenhouse out of star plates and it eventually blew away. It might seem like a good building method, but once you get all the 2x4's connected, you've got a whole bunch of odd-shaped rectangles to fill in. I used a bunch of old windows and corrugated plastic in the remaining holes. Maybe just heavy poly plastic sheet would work better. I think a hoop house made with rebar or plastic pipe with good anchors is a much better way to build a structure.

-- bruce (rural@inebraska.com), January 19, 2002.

you could use 2x6 but you're still connecting the ends with only one bolt which would then have more stress on it. 9' is the max they recommend for stability but you could go 11-12 without a problem. You could use a bit longer than that if you put a supporting center pole in it.

I don't understand how you'd get rectangles in the structure. It's all triangle walls. You would have rectangle forms if you put rafters in it but your sheathing would still be all same size triangles.

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), January 19, 2002.



Hi all, I built a greenhouse out of star plates,no problems. Used 2"by 2" by 8 foot presure treated lumber and covered it with 6 mil visqueen,framed in a door in one of the triangles. We've had some pretty good storms lately and no problems with it blowing away. I did stake it down with tent pegs through the bottom star plates. I've got one more set to play with,thinking about a moveable chicken tractor (not using the top plate). Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), January 19, 2002.

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