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Old November 5, 2010   #1
rnewste
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Campbell, CA
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Default Raybo's Removable, Self-supporting, Collapsible, Tall Cage for the EarthTainer (pics)

After a number of comments regarding the restrictions of the rigidly attached EarthTainer cage system, and a few scraped knuckles of my own in emptying and refilling, planting them with the cages in the way, I've developed a new, user-friendly design. It basically takes a commonly available Pea Fence (6 panels each 14 inches in length) and with some leg bends, adapts the cage to "grip" the rim of the 'Tainer:



It is relatively easy to make the required bends to the 1/8" galvanized legs which will attach as the 12 anchor points:



Once the base unit is fabricated, a second cage (without any bends) is inserted to double the height to a total of 62 inches:



Four 1/8" wire rope clips then attach the outboard legs of the extension cage to the base unit:



It takes about 30 minutes to make the 36 bends, and assemble the cages together:



The cage assembly then simply snaps on to the EarthTainer, providing 12 self-supporting hardpoints:



Optionally, you can attach flexible tarp straps to the diagonal corners of the cage to provide further tension to the assembly:



The neat thing about this new design is that at the end of the Season, you can remove the cage from the EarthTainer and flatten it out:



Stores nicely up against a wall in the garage taking up minimum space:



Cost for the two panel 62" high system for each EarthTainer runs about $17.50 using the $25.00 off coupon at Gurneys.com

http://gurneys.com/pea-fence/p/12826/

Hint: Order two cartons (4 panels) plus a $1.00 pack of seeds, and you will be just at the $50.00 minimum order).

I'll be updating the EarthTainer Construction Guide with specific bend dimensions, etc. in the near future.

Raybo

Last edited by rnewste; November 5, 2010 at 06:31 PM.
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