Have a set of star plates and no directions...can anyone help? Want to build a small greenhouse to replace the big one that last years ice storm took down. Appreciate any help. DEE

-- DEE (windance@train.missouri.org), January 03, 2000

Answers

Star plate construction is relatively simple. I've built a couple of structures this way, but it was years ago and I'm working from memory here...It seems to me you should have 11 plates all together. You'll need 26 2x2's or 2x4's, either one will work but for a larger structure such as a greenhouse, go with 2x4's. All 26 2x4's need to be the same length, any length you choose. Using 8 or 10 footers will give you quite a bit of room inside. I'm guessing here, but maybe 15x15 and another 15 feet tall. Except of course it will be a five sided structure when it's up.

Whatever length you choose, it's simply a matter of drilling a hole in each end of the 2x4 and bolting an end to one of the 5 holes in the plate. Then bolt four more 2x4's onto the remaining four holes. Now go to the other end of the 2x4's and bolt a plate onto each board.

At this point you can run begin to run your boards from plate to plate, you'll have 5 plates with 3 boards attatched, and the one you started with which of course still has the 5. So bolt 2 more boards to each plate (filling all 5 holes) and you're almost done.

You'll still need to attatch your remaining 5 plates to the ends of these boards, which will be your botom plates. Note that here you'll only be using 4 of the holes in each plate. The remaining hole can be used to attatch an anchor rod if you think you might want one. When you're done you'll have a fairly light structure with a lot of surface area to catch the wind, so you'll probably want to anchor it. Wrap it in plastic and you're good to go. Should make a fine greenhouse.

-- Dave (i813@webtv.net), January 16, 2000.