Wood for Ferris Wheel

[Hawk]

Sat down today and put together a materials list for the Ferris Wheel project. HOLY CRAP... I'm looking somewhere north of $300 for most of the wood with my original plan. "OK" I said, lets look at plywood, while that cost was lower, it's still more than I'm comfortable with for a project that will most likely be collecting dust over time. This is supposed to be a hobby...UGH!

So, 1 question I have for Y'all, how stable would 1/4" ply be for the big wheel measuring about 18" around? I'm concerned that being 1/4" it will warp pretty easily which would not be a good thing (lol)

So, on to smaller projects until I can find a path for the Ferris Wheel project.

Chris

[preprius]

My hat brim is 0.125 inch thick and is about 18 inches from edge to edge. 

[tomsteve]

when i built the dome clock ,documented in the link, i was faced with lumber cost. there was a LOT of 1/4" material needed.

idk if you are capable of it, but i bought the lumber in 3/4" thick, ripped in half  on the table saw, then planed to thickness. might have been a bit of labor involved but saved me a boatload on materials over buying it all 1/4" thick.

as for using ply, aircraft grade ply is very stable. 1/4" is 5 ply. it comes at a cost but its very stable.

 

[Wichman]

My question is how many sq ft of material do these plans call for?

I think it would suck to get the plans and then find out I couldn't afford the wood.

[OCtoolguy]

Yes, the cost of materials has gone to the moon. That's why I have chosen many projects that will consume the odds and ends of what I have laying around. I've been concentrating on the different sized candle holders/vases that I have shown you already and making them in differing colors/types of wood and they are coming out great. My Christmas work is almost done. I'm cheap by nature so I am always looking for ways to bring the cost of my hobby down. Maybe you've just chosen a project that is not right for the economic climate we are in presently. Try something else.

 

 

[Hawk]

6 hours ago, Wichman said:

My question is how many sq ft of material do these plans call for?

I think it would suck to get the plans and then find out I couldn't afford the wood.

I've had the plans for at least 10 years, just didn't have the time or skills until now.

[Tom-in-Ashland]

Solid wood will move with humidity changes. For something with that size diameter I think BB plywood would be a much better choice.  

[Wichman]

3 hours ago, Hawk said:

I've had the plans for at least 10 years, just didn't have the time or skills until now.

Hawk,

     I was speaking in general; it would be nice if the pattern makers, big multi part designs, would give some idea about how much material will be required ( before we buy plans and parts ) . I don't want them to give a price tag, because obviously that will change with time.

[Hawk]

On 11/10/2022 at 12:56 PM, tomsteve said:

when i built the dome clock ,documented in the link, i was faced with lumber cost. there was a LOT of 1/4" material needed.

idk if you are capable of it, but i bought the lumber in 3/4" thick, ripped in half  on the table saw, then planed to thickness. might have been a bit of labor involved but saved me a boatload on materials over buying it all 1/4" thick.

as for using ply, aircraft grade ply is very stable. 1/4" is 5 ply. it comes at a cost but its very stable.

 

Yea, I was thinking about ripping down thicker stock to save money too. And I am looking into the aircraft ply. I used to fly R/C Sailplanes and aircraft ply was a big part of my building so I am familiar with it's properties, so I may very well end up going that route.

Anyhow, plenty to consider before pulling the trigger on materials.

[Scrappile]

Might check out marine ply also.. it is usually very good plywood. Hey, I use to build RC planes.. never got good at flying them, but I really enjoyed the sailplanes more than the powered ones.