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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Ceri on September 13, 2003, 17:49:52

Title: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: Ceri on September 13, 2003, 17:49:52
I have lots of decking offcutsaround, and the ubiquitous scaffodling boards, and want to make them into a coldframe - I have a hammer, nails and a saw - what I do with them I have no idea - does someone have a nice easy way of making a coldframe that doesn't involve geometry and special bits of metal??!  Cheers
Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: gavin on September 14, 2003, 01:53:08
I'm thinking about doing the same - and have got as far as looking out for the window frame or whatever to put on the top.  And then I'll just build a box to fit - sturdy enough to stand (I hope), but light enough to move (even more hopeful!).

Looking at the cold frames on our site, you are allowed a fair bit of ingenuity and creativity for the box!

All best - Gavin
Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: Doris_Pinks on September 15, 2003, 19:30:57
I have the window frame, but lacking the wood!
Dotty P.
Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: gavin on September 16, 2003, 02:10:25
Then it's a skip-raid, Doris-Pinks!

Or pallets - our local off-licence and Halfords are good sources.

Or - if you're like the local lads - wait till the council board up a house for demolition and rip the wood off.  It's happened to each of the houses in my street due to be demolished.  It's apparently lads building pigeon sheds!

All best - Gavin

Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: Beer_Belly on September 16, 2003, 10:10:34
There's a clause in our rules that states that we're not allowed to use old windows or doors on our plots.
 I assume they don't want a lot of building site / shanty town constructions appearing.
Luckily I've inherited about 20 offical ones.
Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: Ceri on September 16, 2003, 10:38:02
Our lads must be harder than your lads - our local council uses metal shutters!!

Our site abounds with interesting structures made out of bits of doors, old double glazing etc.  One guy has two old bath tubs he grows strawberries in, so I think our rules are either different or ignored - most of my neighbours have been there since before the Boer War, so I think it would take more than association rules to change their ways!
Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: Doris_Pinks on September 16, 2003, 20:01:15
Well, the offie is a great idea!! our household does give them enough business to keep them going! Top idea Gavin I shall enquire next time I am in!  
Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: legless on September 16, 2003, 20:46:20
aha! another use for the large amount of windows the previous occupant has hoarded in the shed! fantastic. not sure a stained glass coldframe will be much good though so i reckon that'll have to be a feature window in the shed  ;D

Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: Ceri on September 16, 2003, 21:07:41
stained glass coldframe - now that's how to upstage the neighbours!!
Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: carloso on September 26, 2003, 07:46:15
ingrediants :- 1 45 gallon oil drum (clean)
                       3 pieces if glass
                       1 Grinder borrowed stolen or owned
                        1 Drill or hammer and punch
                        30 mins of free time
                        3 wooden wedges for ventilation gap
                       2 drum sticks (all else fails item)

Method :) :-       Cut oil drum into 3 equal pieces and remove sharp burrs (fettle up)

drill or hammer punch holes in 2 end pieces

Fill with soil part way insert plants and place glass on top and use till disintgrates

Should you get bored or stuck in some place of this recipe   >:(  use as drum (all else fails item) to atrract attention of some one with better cheaper idea !!
 :D


Title: Re: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: Ceri on September 26, 2003, 10:58:23
thanks carloso, love the idea - I'm 'playing' on various building sites today - I'm sure I can help tidy a site by taking a drum off their hands!  I'll let you know how it goes.  Round cold frames - very cool, very Llewellyn-Bowen.
Title: :DRe: Cold frame building advice please..
Post by: merv on September 26, 2003, 16:28:32
Hi guys  :D

The secret to a good cold frame is that it is light..and ermm...light and...ummm .......light again.

Thin wood frame covered in plastic  and another thin wood frame covered in plastic for the top.  Ifn your posf you can also have a hinge.