Big Top

[Puffergas]

Thought some might get a kick out of this.

The Big Top was a temporary roof over the mill. It was taken down after three years. By then it was tired. It would shake off dry snow. Wet snow would collect and have to be removed by poking it with a broom. Broom end toward canvas. The 1 x 3 or 4 was the secret to its stability.

[Tom]

That has to be one of the most ingenious roofs I've seen on the forum in many years.

[Onthesauk]

Ketchikan folks refer to those blue tarps as the state flag of Alaska.

[customdave]

Hey man if it works what the hay, pretty cheap roof for 3yrs. If I don't started on my mill shed soon I may try that.

                     Dave

[bandmiller2]

If your roof is flapen they aint taxen.Lets in defused light and keeps the rain off.Did you build your mill??Frank C.

[KyTreeFarmer]

Nice shed! Maybe you could start a portable shelter business on the side>

Mike

[Puffergas]

Hi Frank,

That one is a home made mill. Right now I have a Burg with that same home made frame and log turner under it. Just didn't have the time to rebuild my old home made mill. It was on the tired side.


Jeff

[fishpharmer]

Puffergas, I just love those white band wheel saws ;)

Very effective shelter.  I might take that approach soon.

[Puffergas]

Fishpharmer, If yah do let us know how it turns out.

One thing that I just remembered; look at the very top rope, it likes to chafe (wear) the canvas at both ends. Maybe the first four feet at both ends. Some duct tape wrapped around the rope in this area might help or run the rope through some kind of plastic pipe or don't worry about it.

Duct tape also works good to patch the canvas.

I've thought about using a boat winch at one end to lower the Big Top down when not sawing but never tried it.


Jeff

[MotorSeven]

Jeff, you got 3 years out of  a blue tarp??? Outstanding!

RD

[Magicman]

I still see blue tarps on houses from Katrina.

[fishpharmer]

My better looking half wasn't real enthused about blue "big top' in front yard.

[Puffergas]

My better looking half wasn't real enthused about blue "big top' in front yard.

They also make them in orange, green and silver.   

RD, it was close to three years. Over two years for sure. Finally had to cut it down because after all it went through I couldn't bear to see it get flattened. It was like a steam engine ... almost alive.


Jeff 

[SwampDonkey]

I know one fellow personally, we call him the over night $millionaire. His house roof is a blue tarp instead of shingles or steel. And in his yard sits $1M worth of forestry equipment.   :D :D

[submarinesailor]

My better looking half wasn't real enthused about blue "big top' in front yard.

Get a camouflage one and than she wouldn't be able to see it. ;D :D ;D :D ;D :D

Bruce

[fishpharmer]

Puffergas and Submarinesailor I like the idea of another color, I think I will try camoflage and see if she notices. ;)  All this rain is getting old.

[Brucer]

A few years ago, just the other side of the mountain, someone set up a small four-poster with a similar "roof". He just had a pair of posts at each end in an A-frame arrangement. Ran a 3/4" wire rope from a tree, over the A-frames, and then to the winch on his ancient dozer. A little bit of tension on the winch, and up went the tarp.

I always figured it was a temporary measure, but it sat like that for 4 years. Then one day the "roof" was gone. Turns out a logging truck got stuck in the spring muck while delivering a load, so he hopped on the dozer and headed out to tow the guy. He forgot what was attached to what :(.