Re: Forcing Lettuce in the Winter

"Grem, Beth A" wrote:

> Hi all,
>
>   Has anyone actually built a coldframe like the one in the Four Season
> Harvest?  With my limited carpentry skills I believe I can handle the bottom
> box, but the top ("light") looks complicated.  Can I just use a piece of
> lexan plastic attached with a piano hinge to the box.  It would be very
> light, I know, but if I securely latch it, do you think it would be OK?  I
> know some people use old windows, but I understand they are too heavy for an
> automatic venting device.

The light could be built using just a table saw if you have access to one, or
with a skill saw and a workbench if you don't.  I use a Black and decker
workmate as a workbench,  a skill saw, 4 or 5 clamps, a few pieces of lumber
and a piece of aluminum stock for a straight edge, and build all kinds of
stuff.

With just a skill saw, the basic idea is to use pieces of lumber  a metal
straight edge and clamps to build  temporary tools you need to support and
guide the skill saw  to make each complete cut in a straight line.  Its slow
work this way because the setup of each cut takes a bit of time, but its as
much fun as a 3 dimensional puzzle.  You want to be able to cut the long edge
pieces to be 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 and the shorter end pieces to be 1 1/2 x 1.  Then
you need to cut the kerf, the groove where the window will slide into, to the
right depth.

you use clamped pieces of lumber to support the saw in the correct position to
make a cut and clamped straight edge to ensure a straight cut.   I use a piece
of aluminum stock I got at the hardware store for the straight edge to guide
the saw in a straight line.  The cuts called kerfs, where the glass slides into
the long pieces can be made by setting the depth of the blade on the skill saw
to the proper depth.  Once the first cut is done,  you can make the width of
the kerf larger than the width of the saw blade by making additional cuts.

Hey is this the carpentry list or the veggie list?

When using power tools safety should be the first thing you think about when
setting up a cut and last thing you think about before turning on the switch .
If you're new to using power saws, or don't use them often, ask for advice on
safety and from the experienced.  They'll be happy to give the advice.

I'll be starting the cold frames in a couple of weeks.


-Pat
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