Build-a-balls

[Inky]

I need to make some fruit cages and some insect cpovers fpr my veg. Dont want to spend a fortune, but the raspberry supports I have made, keep gping wonky as they are just bound with string and keep moving around. I would like to use these buildaballs to properly support the corners, but how well do they work with just gatden canes? I dont want to use the expensive metal tubing, but wont bother if the canes will just keep falling out.

[Inky]

[betula]

I have four of them.I used them last year and they were fine.I will buy some more next time I see some for sale. :)

[grannyjanny]

Several people on our site have them & don't seem to have any problems. Someone said you need to line the holes up & put a cane through the middle if you see what I mean. Lakeland do them.
Janet

[70fingers]

Cheap tennis balls and drill some holes in them??? Just a thought....never tried them before but may try it at the weekend and post back.

[plot51A]

Never had much luck with them myself, the structures tend to become unsteady and have had them fall aoart. Of course it could just be the way I build things. but would not recommend them. Following on from the tennis ball suggestion have seen those balls that they use in childrens play areas suggested - and they can be very cheap indeed.

[PJW_Letchworth]

If you find the canes are a bit small and are lose, wrap insulating tape around the ends before putting them into the balls.  I have to do this as the canes I bought are only cheap.  I would suggest you try to find the straightest canes possible and may be put in extra supports.

[lewic]

Was also thinking of getting them and cant afford metal poles. Read a suggestion somewhere to go round the edge of the hole with a glue gun before you put the cane in. No clue whether this would work however........

[tonybloke]

join canes with short lengths of garden hose, cheap and effective! ;)

[70fingers]

I couldnt resist - I popped to Poundland spent £2 on 8 kids foam balls and built a simple frame

see some pictures in my gallery -http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php?action=gallery;sa=myimages;u=1752


The pictures are not so clear as it was raining hence the half built frame, but they seem to work quite well, although time will tell.

[Tee Gee]

join canes with short lengths of garden hose, cheap and effective!

Agreed Tony but how do you make a 'three way corner? ??? ::)

[Tee Gee]

Agreed Tony but how do you make a 'three way corner?  ::)

Forget that Tony I have figured it out myself.....drill a hole in the pipe to take the vertical

[saddad]

OH nearly bought some at Malvern... still considering it. The Ball-Pit balls become brittle after a season...  :-\

[Deb P]

I used cobbled together bits of mini greenhouses, which come with 3 way joint bits...but even these are getting brittle now so I will have to have a rethink... :-\

[misfit]

could you not use 3 lengths of hosepipe, secure them at one end with a cable tie or insulating tape, just a thought !!!