UUBG-005+1     2007-09-06     [ Catalog ] [ Topics ] [ Index ]
Project: Umbrella Chest

Contents

  1. Status
    1. Project Phases
  2. Assess Needs
    1. Umbrella Collection
    2. Umbrella Repair
  3. Plan
  4. Design
    1. Requirements and Constraints
    2. Drawings and Documents
  5. Resources
    1. Personnel
    2. Labor
    3. Materials
  6. Tasks
    1. Todo List
    2. Action Items

Scope

Project to build a storage chest for umbrellas used in amphitheater. Discuss: need, plan, design, time, money and progress.

Summary

Project was completed in conjunction with UUBG-006 Kiosk Roof during "work week" August 13th ~ 18th, 2007. Umbrella chest cost under $150.


Status
Project Phases
Phase Completed Remaining
Assess Discuss with Asa Puckette and Greg Brown. Assess size and state of 27 umbrellas.
Plan Test with mockup using existing table and fence.
Present sketch to Design Review Committee. Get approval.
Design Discussed design details with Ian Foster.
Initial BOM and cost estimate.
Ian rendered a design in AutoCAD.
Draw dimensioned design.
Scrounge materials leftover from UUB-007.
Execute Purchased lumber, assemble, paint on site.
Followup Fix broken umbrellas Replace 7Watt red master pilot light in kiosk.
Find new home for existing table.
Assess Needs

Over the years ("since the founding members started turning 50", quoth Barbara Stoddard) the Fellowship has been using more and more umbrellas as sunshades in the amphitheater. Between services, these have been crammed into the kiosk in the rear of the amphitheater along with the growing quantity of seat cushions, hymnals and audio equipment.

Other items have places on shelves, but the umbrellas are too bulky to be stored well in the kiosk. They stand in the middle of the floor blocking access to all else. On Sunday mornings, Asa or Isabelle Puckette must remove the umbrellas first and put them away last.

Umbrella Collection
Currently we have 27 umbrellas of various sizes, ages and states of repair. Asa categorizes them as small, medium and large. The small, 4 limbed umbrellas are the oldest and possibly hand-made by a member of the fellowship. The medium are 8 limbed umbrellas purchased from CostCo and other vendors. The four large umbrellas have longer poles and serve special purposes on-stage.
Qty Size Description
10 small 4 limbs, blue canvas, oldest, handmade?
9 medium 8 limbs, blue canvas, purchased,
4 medium 8 limbs, light blue canvas, purchased
2 large 8 limbs, dark blue canvas, purchased
1 large 8 limbs, green canvas, purchased
1 large 8 limbs, white canvas, purchased
Umbrella Repair

Some of the umbrellas (6 ~ 10) are in need of repair. The repairs would be simple for someone with a few woodworking tools. This is a side-issue which needs the following attention:

Plan

Get the umbrellas out of the kiosk. Build a free-standing chest to hold the umbrellas and protect them from sunlight and mildew. Such a chest would be fairly large. The umbrellas could be stored vertically or horizontally.

Vertical storage would require an interior height of 103" minimum for the tallest umbrella. The cross-sectional area of the umbrellas standing together is about 8 square feet. Such a vertical closet would have outside dimensions of about 9' x 3' x 3'. Not obvious where this closet could fit.

Horizontal storage in a chest of the same dimensions is also ungainly. However, when laid down, there is the option of optimizing the packing arrangement. Folded umbrellas are about 8" in diameter on their top half, but only 2" diameter on the lower half (the post). Laying half the umbrellas in one direction and half in the other improves the packing density considerably.

We tested this arrangement one morning before services and found it worked very well. All 27 umbrellas fit comfortably in a space by 25" deep by 28" high by 120" wide. This volume is only slightly larger than that of the large picnic style table that is permanently located at the back of the amphitheater now. The table is used for distributing and collecting hymnals and what-not.

We propose replacing the picnic table with an umbrella chest. Construction would be a frame of 2x4s covered on the sides with T1-11 grooved plywood (same as the kiosk siding) and painted to match. The external dimensions would be 28" deep x 36" high x 10' long. The depth and height match the existing table. The length is 2' greater, but fits comfortably between the greeting table and the kiosk window.

The idea of expanding or replacing the kiosk to accomodate the umbrellas has been floating around for some time. The roof of the kiosk has been leaking for years. Why not do it all at once? There are a few reasons.

Design

PARAGRAPH

Requirements and Constraints
  1. Outside dimensions (max): 28" deep x 36" high x 120" long
  2. Interior dimensions (min, but 2x4 framing OK): 25" x 28" x 118" long
  3. Should be rat-proof and discourage bugs and moths
  4. Elevate >3" above ground. I.e. 2x4 rails underneath.
  5. Waterproof - lid is slanted when closed to shed water forward
  6. Lid hinged along rear edge
  7. Lid can be propped open fully and securely - won't close on user's hands
  8. Lid can be propped open partially and securely - to serve as flat table top
  9. Lid can be locked closed
  10. Hide the locking mechanism - no hasps dangling
Drawings and Documents

See manilla file folder labeled:

UUBG-005 Project: Umbrella Chest
Design notes 2007-05-06

Contains UUBG-005 2007-05-06 (pages 1~6): sketches and notes from Stu's discussions with Ian.

Resources

Design and build with volunteer labor. Materials budget: $300 max.

Personnel
Job Person Responsibilities
Project Manager Stu Anderson Get approvals: Sunday Services, Design Review
Allocate budget from B&G. Recruit volunteers
Mechanical Designer Ian Foster? Draw proposal sketch for presentation to other committees
Dimensioned construction drawings
Itemized bill of materials
Buyer ? Buy lumber, plywood, fasteners, hardware, deliver to fellowship or Carpenter.
Carpenter Ian Foster? Cut lumber and plywood parts. Assemble per drawings.
Painter ? Paint assembled chest (in situ?)
Labor
Who Task Description Hours
TITLE_OR_PERSONS DESCRIPTION_OF_ALL_NECESSARY_ACTIVITIES HOURS
WHO DESCRIPTION HOURS
---- TOTAL HOURS: SUM
Materials
Item Source Material Description Qty & Units Cost
1 Home Depot? 5/8" 4'x8' plywood sheet T1-11 exterior siding 3 sheets @ $30 ??? $90 ?
2 Home Depot 5/8" 4'x8' plywood sheet exterior grade 2 sheets @ $30 $60
3 Home Depot 10' 2x4s 4 @ $4 $16
4 Home Depot 8' 2x4s 8 @ $2.50 $20
5 Home Depot 3" Door hinges 4 @ $5 $20
6 Home Depot Lock and mechanical hardware $20 $20
7 Home Depot Paint to match existing 2 gal @ $20 $40
# Home Depot Screws 500 @ 0.05 $25
# SOURCE DESCRIPTION QTY_UNIT_@_$COST $LINE
# SOURCE DESCRIPTION QTY_UNIT_@_$COST $LINE
---- Buyer: BUYER_NAME BOM Total: $291
Tasks

PARAGRAPH

PARAGRAPH

Todo List
  1. Umbrella maintenance
  2. ITEM
  3. ITEM
Action Items
Item Done Description Who When
1 ? Load AutoCAD and road test. Estimate design time.
Decide whether to commit to be Mechanical Designer
Ian Foster 2007-05-13
2 ? Define umbrella maintenance and recruit volunteers. Stu Anderson 2007-06-18
3 ? DESCRIPTION WHO WHEN
# ? DESCRIPTION WHO WHEN

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