Brownbear
|
Pig Ark KitThis is just a thought at the moment, and I'm not going to develop it unless people think it's a good idea. And that idea is to make and sell basic kits for DIY pig arks, just the metal frame, and detailed instructions to buy, cut and assemble the finished thing using timber and plywood you obtain yourself.
There would be the disassembled angle iron frame (would people be more interested in saving money and painting it with Hammerite themselves, or saving time and having it ready done?), cutting list and plans, fittings to assemble frame. The idea being that people can get something cheaper but don't have to be welders or master carpenters to do it.
|
welsh veg grower
|
sounds good brown bear. if we didnt have veg plot helping us I couldnt manage, and to buy a new one is a bit pricey.
|
vegplot
|
Excellent idea.
|
NeathChris
|
we have some all galv arks. They are brilliant. Easy to clean down and very robust.
could you make flat packs like this?
|
Brownbear
|
| NeathChris wrote: | we have some all galv arks. They are brilliant. Easy to clean down and very robust.
could you make flat packs like this? |
Yes. I use 0.9mm galv sheet for most jobs - would that be adequate? I take it they have wooden floors.
the initial ones will be to finish off with plywood. I forecast that the kits will be about £80-90 + P&P, and the finishing-off costs will vary depending on what materials you use fir the job, eg, 12 or 18mm ply, what quality of planking for the bases.
The idea is that even when the plywood and planks needed replacing, the steel frame would still be in good order and just need a touch-up.
|
NeathChris
|
The steel ones we have dont have a floor.
So the kit would consist off what exactly, would all holes be pre drilled etc.
What exactly would need to be purchased to finish.
Would it be the traditional ark shape?
Very good idea i think.
|
Brownbear
|
This is the preliminary drawing - it would have a roof of two standard sheets of ply, and sides of two standard half-sheets of ply. You'd fold out the ends, cut and fit the end boards, then link the two ends together with the flat bar.
You'd waterproof the ply roof and sides with glue-wash, then fit them, screwing them into place through the holes drilled in the angle-iron. The ridge at the top would be sealed with a self-adhesive flashing band.
|
Brownbear
|
Does anyone in Devon want a pig ark? I'll supply one kit for free, and give a hand with building it, in order to generate photos and details for ads and building instructions.
|
RichardW
|
Would you not be better off getting them galved? Not much extra cost over the paint but will last much longer.
Richard
|
welsh veg grower
|
North Wales is really close to Devon honestly - oh ok its not, shame as I would be happy to test run a pig arc for you, well maybe not me but some pigs could.
The only thing is to keep cutting of wood to a minimum otherwise the buyer would need the right tools. Most of us have hammers, drills and a basic saw but not soemthing which would cut the ply maybe. I seem to think I have one in my dads old garage but could I be trusted with it?????
|
Brownbear
|
I've found a tester for the ark kit in Mid-Wales, but fear not, there will be a special offer for Downsizers once the design is finalised.
The roof and sides are made from stock sizes of board, it's only the ends that will need cutting. I could supply the ends too, but that would put the delivery costs way up - it would be cheaper to buy a cheapie electric saw from B and Q than for me to do the work for you and then post it.
But there will be very comprehensive, I hope beginner-proof, instructions, included in the kit.
|
mochyn
|
This sounds like an excellent idea, BB. I wish you'd been doing these when we set up! How high is the peak of the roof? If it's made high enough for folk to stand in the ark could also be used as a farrowing ark.
|
resistance is fertile
|
| Brownbear wrote: | | I've found a tester for the ark kit in Mid-Wales, |
Turncoat!
Ive been away but would gladly have guinea pigged any of your contraptions!! 
This all calls for another meet up soon, let me know, we cant have a Devonian Brain Drain!
|
Brownbear
|
| resistance is fertile wrote: | | Brownbear wrote: | | I've found a tester for the ark kit in Mid-Wales, |
Turncoat!
Ive been away but would gladly have guinea pigged any of your contraptions!!
This all calls for another meet up soon, let me know, we cant have a Devonian Brain Drain! |
I'm currently designing the pig-wire unroller we discussed, I need to come up your way soonish and deliver it.
|
crofter
|
My only experience with pigs is indoors with steel and concrete pens, so maybe someone with outdoor pigs will know:
1) Will the pigs eat the plywood?
2) Is 30mm flatbar/angle iron "heavy duty" enough?
I agree with Richard W about using galvanised steel, whatever size it needs to be.
|
resistance is fertile
|
| crofter wrote: | My only experience with pigs is indoors with steel and concrete pens, so maybe someone with outdoor pigs will know:
1) Will the pigs eat the plywood?
2) Is 30mm flatbar/angle iron "heavy duty" enough?
I agree with Richard W about using galvanised steel, whatever size it needs to be. |
In our experience;
1) yes a bit round the edges if they can!
2) Probably for little ones, probably not for a big fat sow having a good old scratch.
Galv is definitely the best bet if poss. 
|
Brownbear
|
| resistance is fertile wrote: | | crofter wrote: | My only experience with pigs is indoors with steel and concrete pens, so maybe someone with outdoor pigs will know:
1) Will the pigs eat the plywood?
2) Is 30mm flatbar/angle iron "heavy duty" enough?
I agree with Richard W about using galvanised steel, whatever size it needs to be. |
In our experience;
1) yes a bit round the edges if they can!
2) Probably for little ones, probably not for a big fat sow having a good old scratch.
Galv is definitely the best bet if poss. |
For the eating issue, there won't be projecting corners anywhere for them to get their teeth into - just the entrance arch as on the standard arks, which seem to survive OK. I might add a steel hoop to line the arch if they look like tucking into it.
The purpose of the angle and bar is to hold the ply together - the structural integrity is provided as much by the rigidity of the ply as anything else. The standard commercial ones have their rigidity provided by the ply at both ends, so I don't think this will be a problem. Having looked closely at the curved ones, I don't think this design will be losing anything to them in terms of structural integrity - 50mm steel would be overkill, though it might be worth trying 40mm.
the problem with making it too complicated, and requiring pop-riveting etc, is that the overriding design principle is simplicity of construction to give the smallholder with not very advanced construction skills a simple design that they can make themselves.
I've stuck to standard sizes, so with the steel kit and instructions, a person could construct an 8'x8' pig ark out of bought-size plywood, with lust a little cutting required for the ends, and very comprehensive instructions for doing so.
It looks like the kit will come in under £70.
|
resistance is fertile
|
overall, I think it is fantastic and at that price deserves to become a best seller.
We have always baulked at the huge cost of typical arks and have tended to just construct them out of a few curved corrugated sections and a couple of hefty timber runners at the bottom edge.
These do get a hammering though and are always needing repair and bashing back into shape.
For young growers, or maybe a solitary farrowing sow, these seem the answer and we will definitely be placing a batch order (especially if we can, do as we ahve discussed and work in the ability to swap a couple of panels and use it for the poultry too!)
|
Faithmead
|
Hi Brownbear - just wondered if you're still doing these? I have a couple of 'weaner' customers who are on the look out for pig arks in and around South Wales.
Maybe you need an 'Agent' in Wales ?!? 
Cheers.
PS .....Quad if BRILLIANT 
|
