SU or Plans for Dovecote Wanted-Prototype Now Finished

[SketchUp Guru]

Chris, if my eye hand coordination was better, I might have managed it in two minutes.

No, I'm not kidding about the twenty minutes. I only drew one side panel and one floor and one face of the roof and one piece of trim between the side panels and one bracket below. all the others are copies of those components. Now, I've made separate components of the pairs of sides that have the openings. That way I only had to draw openings in two of the panels.

By making components of all the like parts, editing only needs to be done to one of them to have them all edited.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Here's another quick screen grab. Sorry the lines have that jagged look to them. Hopefully this will give you an idea of the innards so far. I didn't make much progress because I had to run off to surgery to fix something.

 

[les chicken]

Dave / Lee

With those sizes you can put 4 nesting boxes per layer. Stagger them a bit so as the entrance is not in the middle of the nest box. This allows the nest to be round the corner a bit to keep the draught down. It also allows the parents to keep the young to one side so they do not fall out.

There is no need for sliding panels the entrance is big enough to get your hand in if it needs cleaning. :shock:

I suggest you only make holes in the first two floors for the post to slide up. This size dovecote is very heavy especially when you have to lift it on to the post. Besides if the bottom of the cote is 2.4mts off the ground + 1.2mts of cote + the bit in the ground it now becomes a very long post. :wink: :wink:

It is looking good.

Les

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Les, I'll turn the dividers 45° and that will take care of the offset thing. I only drew the post as coming up to the bottom of the cote figuring it would be attached through the brackets below.

I was thinking 1 meter across the flats is pretty large. Should it be smaller? What if the in-laws come to visit? Bigger might be better.

 

[les chicken]

Dave

800mm a/f is plenty big enough. By sliding the cote over the post for the first two floors removes any brackets to hold it up and installation is also easier. The weight and size if supported on brackets becomes iffy in the wind etc.

Les

 

[SketchUp Guru]

What about ventilation? Maybe doves don't like ventilation?

 

[syntec4]

Looks Fantastic Dave. Thanks for all you're effort. I'll bet I can't build it as fast though

Regards
Lee.

 

[les chicken]

Dave
No need for ventilation the wind will whistle through the front door.

Les

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Lee, I have a bit more work to do for you and then I can e-mail the drawing to you.

Les, thanks for the info.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Lee, sorry about the delay. I got busy with some other things. I've scaled it down so it is 800mm across the flats. I took out the ventilation pipe and extended the square post up through the bottom two floors. the dividers were turned 45° to put the entry holes off to one side of the apartment and I think I have a workable roof structure drawn. You could probably lighten it up though and have plenty of strength. I'll e-mail you the SKP file if you'd like it.

 

[JFC]

I have the plans for one , want me to scan it and mail it to you ?

 

[SketchUp Guru]

I have the plans for one , want me to scan it and mail it to you ?

Not now he doesn't. I just drew him some.

 

[syntec4]

Lee, sorry about the delay. I got busy with some other things. I've scaled it down so it is 800mm across the flats. I took out the ventilation pipe and extended the square post up through the bottom two floors. the dividers were turned 45° to put the entry holes off to one side of the apartment and I think I have a workable roof structure drawn. You could probably lighten it up though and have plenty of strength. I'll e-mail you the SKP file if you'd like it.

Wow Dave thats great. :shock: :shock:

Thanks for you hard work, its much appreciated. Cant wait to get started building it! It would be great if you could mail me the Sketchup drawing, I could print off a few and take them to the workshop to build it from.

Thank you so much
Lee.

 

[syntec4]

I have the plans for one , want me to scan it and mail it to you ?

Not now he doesn't. I just drew him some.

Ha Ha! Nice one Dave.

Thanks JFC, it would certainly be most helpful as a reference. Thanks for the kind offer.
Lee.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Lee, send me a PM with your e-mail address so I can send the file.

 

[SketchUp Guru]

Lee, did you get my e-mail?

 

[syntec4]

Yes thanks Dave. Sorry been away working with very little access to a connection.
I've sent you a email.

Lee.

 

[syntec4]

I have put Daves stunning Sketchup file on my website of the Dovecote he created. If anyone else fancies building one Dave has graciously said anyone is welcome to use it.

I'm getting started this weekend on mine!

The file is Here

Thanks Dave!

 

[syntec4]

Updated - I have been working on a prototype. The cost of making a full size dovecote is pretty high due to the size etc. So I thought I would make a small one to start with so that I could figure out how best to go about the construction and if i made any mistakes it would be less costly. I also wanted to see if the client (My Mum) would be happy with the design. The gaps between each side will be filled with mahogany on the real thing and on the prototype over the weekend. The round cap on the top is a foot off an old sofa! I must get a lathe so that I can produce some round parts myself.

A Big Thanks to Dave for the SU design and all the forum members that helped too.
I'll post some more pictures when this is finished (this weekend) and I'll do a full WIP with the real one.

Look on my website for a few large pictures.


Cheers all.
Lee.

 

[Woodmagnet]

Looking forward to the rest of the project syntec4 :wink: