Cold Frame from Junk
Cold Frame from Junk
Got a pallet crate from work, a load of pallet wood and a scrap piece of carbonate that I found blowing around somewhere. The hinges are nicked from a gate, but I would have preferred to use some reclaimed ones.
As an absolute minimum, you could make this with a claw hammer, a saw and some nails. I've been lazy and used screws, but I've also been reclaiming nails from pallets, and I think you could get enough together.
The box - I've reduced the size of it to fit the piece of polycarbonate; no better reason. It would be neater to keep it the right size, but such is life! Cut two long pieces of pallet wood; you'll need them as a sort of bench.
Cut two corner pieces to help provide rigidity. I've had to cut down the front piece as I couldn't get the corner bits off without removing the rivets. You could definitely do a better job.
Screw the pallet length above to give it rigidity before sorting the front piece out.
Two lengths now, to put the diagonal section in. You'll be able to see the form coming together.
I've trimmed them in situ; it seems easier.
These are old radiator brackets, but will be handy as feet to peg the thing down.
Right, the box is now assembled with rigidity.
We three lengths of pallet wood!
Put the three together, and make some shorter ones (length can be hit and miss) to make up the back panel.
The diagonal can now be added.
I find it easier to trim them when they're in situ.
So, you can do this two ways, either with a protractor, or with a pencil and a straight edge, which is the way I did it. You could do a better job for sure with a mitresaw...
A piece behind, screwed from the inside, will help you to place it all.
Taaa-daaa! Just some painting to sort now :)
I'll add more notes as I go, if I can. I'm going to paint the outside to slow the rot, but otherwise not looking at a huge amount to develop.
As an absolute minimum, you could make this with a claw hammer, a saw and some nails. I've been lazy and used screws, but I've also been reclaiming nails from pallets, and I think you could get enough together.
The box - I've reduced the size of it to fit the piece of polycarbonate; no better reason. It would be neater to keep it the right size, but such is life! Cut two long pieces of pallet wood; you'll need them as a sort of bench.
Cut two corner pieces to help provide rigidity. I've had to cut down the front piece as I couldn't get the corner bits off without removing the rivets. You could definitely do a better job.
Screw the pallet length above to give it rigidity before sorting the front piece out.
Two lengths now, to put the diagonal section in. You'll be able to see the form coming together.
I've trimmed them in situ; it seems easier.
These are old radiator brackets, but will be handy as feet to peg the thing down.
Right, the box is now assembled with rigidity.
We three lengths of pallet wood!
Put the three together, and make some shorter ones (length can be hit and miss) to make up the back panel.
The diagonal can now be added.
I find it easier to trim them when they're in situ.
So, you can do this two ways, either with a protractor, or with a pencil and a straight edge, which is the way I did it. You could do a better job for sure with a mitresaw...
A piece behind, screwed from the inside, will help you to place it all.
Taaa-daaa! Just some painting to sort now :)
I'll add more notes as I go, if I can. I'm going to paint the outside to slow the rot, but otherwise not looking at a huge amount to develop.
AKA Simon.
Trying to get to grips with a Staffordshire allotment (UK)
Trying to get to grips with a Staffordshire allotment (UK)
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Re: Cold Frame from Junk
Excellent!
Which reminds me I've got a pile of junk wood in the garden that needs to be turned into a raised bed... When I have the time and energy.
Which reminds me I've got a pile of junk wood in the garden that needs to be turned into a raised bed... When I have the time and energy.
Ina
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
I'm a size 10, really; I wear a 20 for comfort. (Gina Yashere)
Re: Cold Frame from Junk
It's finding the time and energy that's always the challenge!
AKA Simon.
Trying to get to grips with a Staffordshire allotment (UK)
Trying to get to grips with a Staffordshire allotment (UK)
- Weedo
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Re: Cold Frame from Junk
It would be nice to be able to use scrap pine, plenty of it about. On my patch, if I put raw pine (or most timbers with sapwood) anywhere (even in the house) the termites would turn it into sawdust in a month.
Don't let your vision cloud your sight
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Re: Cold Frame from Junk
That looks great, Viper, and I'm pleased to see my polycarbonate turned up somewhere.
(The major gales we had up here in 2015 wrecked my polytunnel and we never did recover one sheet of polycarbonate ).
(The major gales we had up here in 2015 wrecked my polytunnel and we never did recover one sheet of polycarbonate ).
Maggie
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
- Flo
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Re: Cold Frame from Junk
Think someone may well have some of the polycarbonate from the windswept greenhouse here. Don't think it will be worth repairing. Don't tell the kids who paid for it that I'm using the virulent storm that's going on at present to think my way round the seed packets to save replacing. Seems some of my stuff may well be grown outside - it'll be this year's experiment.
Re: Cold Frame from Junk
Good luck!
I'm still working on finding a greenhouse. Don't really want to pay much for one though.
I'm still working on finding a greenhouse. Don't really want to pay much for one though.
AKA Simon.
Trying to get to grips with a Staffordshire allotment (UK)
Trying to get to grips with a Staffordshire allotment (UK)
- Flo
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Re: Cold Frame from Junk
Trouble with not paying much is that the greenhouse may not be the best. Unless you can find someone selling off a good one for next to nothing.
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Re: Cold Frame from Junk
Have a look on Ebay. If you're willing to dismantle it yourself there's quite often decent ones going cheaply.
Maggie
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin
Never doubt that you can change history. You already have. Marge Piercy
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. Anais Nin