I have in mind a large block of wood to use as the base in a dipole system. What's the best way to get one? I have some ideas but I don't want to unduly influence your opinions. I do want a high density/mass.
Dimensions should be approximately 20"x12"x4" (LWH), two pieces.
Dimensions should be approximately 20"x12"x4" (LWH), two pieces.
Large blocks of wood are subject to cracking. Definitely glue it up. If you use MDF it will certainly be heavy! You could also glue up a couple pieces of 2" butcher block, if you can find a reasonably priced source. I'd go with MDF and maybe some veneer, or body filler and a piano finish if that's more your style.
Not knowing the tooling you have available, a judiciously selected 2" x 6"-14' board could be ripped to 4", and crosscut to 20", and then glued face to face for 8 layers to achieve the desired dimensions. alternating white wood with something like Douglas fir would give you a little contrast in the layers.
Here we are able to buy sleepers used on the railway. Pretty big, big enough?
http://www.uksleepers.co.uk/product-catalogue/?gclid=COnkoqW3qZ0CFYNu4wodVCGnlA
http://www.uksleepers.co.uk/product-catalogue/?gclid=COnkoqW3qZ0CFYNu4wodVCGnlA
Creosote treated? Not a good smell in the family room 😱
I would build a box with mitered corners (or veneer it) and fill it with some heavy ballast - sand, pebbles, lead shot, whatever.
Unless it has to be wood...
Build a box with the dimensions you describe. Decorate or trim as desired.
Buy 2-80 pound bags of sackrete (concrete in a sack)
Mix with water
Place in form
Remove from form
Do it again
Each "base" will weigh ~75 pounds
Build a box with the dimensions you describe. Decorate or trim as desired.
Buy 2-80 pound bags of sackrete (concrete in a sack)
Mix with water
Place in form
Remove from form
Do it again
Each "base" will weigh ~75 pounds
I have a wood for you! This stuff is called Quebracho(SP?) It is an extremely high density tight grained wood that was once used in the manufacture of tannin. It is only found down here....it is used for firewood here for its high density & burning properties. You can allways tell if your working with this stuff as nails will penetrate only about 1/4"....& bend on you, it cannot be worked with hand tools and it weighs a ton! . It is used for railroad ties and fenceposts here for its resistance to the elements. It has a graining that rivals the likes of Walnut.
Wouldn't you know it, it is a slow growing wood that is being overharvested.
_______________________________________________________Rick..........
Wouldn't you know it, it is a slow growing wood that is being overharvested.
_______________________________________________________Rick..........
I'm somewhat partial to using a mix of play sand and lead shot, if you want to make them portable, just provide for an easy way to empty them into a container. Otherwise, concrete would be my choice and it's cheaper as well!
Best Regards,
TerryO
Best Regards,
TerryO
No no! not treated with creosote, which as you say is very nasty stuff indeed! you can get new untreated oak sleepers and others too, have a look at the site.
🙂 Steve
Build a box with an open bottom the size and shape you like. People here are saying to fill the box with sand or concrete but an easier way to add mass is to go to the sporting goods store and buy a weight, the kind weight lifters attach to free weights. These come with a convenient hole drilled in the center. Attach the weight to the under side of the box with a bolt and washer.
Iron is more dense than concrete and cheaper than lead, plus that big hole in center makes it easy to mount to the underside of anything with just one bolt.
Iron is more dense than concrete and cheaper than lead, plus that big hole in center makes it easy to mount to the underside of anything with just one bolt.
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See, the problem is I can't have a very wide face (front width), so to get sufficient stiffness I think I might have to make it solid.
Also, to those proposing sand or lead shot: I'm going to drill holes through it, and the holes may not always be plugged.
Also, to those proposing sand or lead shot: I'm going to drill holes through it, and the holes may not always be plugged.
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454,
If you cast it you can embed suitable anchors in it, and/or provide openings for the passage of cables...😉
If you cast it you can embed suitable anchors in it, and/or provide openings for the passage of cables...😉
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