Raybo's Removable, Self-supporting, Collapsible, Tall Cage for the EarthTainer (pics)

rnewste · November 5, 2010

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

November 5, 2010	#1
rnewste Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Campbell, CA Posts: 4,064	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 07:31 PM.