Yurt Progress Continues

Following the disasterous attempt at setting up the first yurt rafters, it was made clear that the pencil rod was not strong enough to withstand the stresses of the yurt's tono.  There were a couple ideas for making the rafters stronger and making sure this didn't happen again.  One idea was to get three stronger and thicker pieces of wood for the rafters, which will be the first three set in place and will better withstand the stress until the rest of the rafters are set in place.  But a review of the hardware aisle at the home repair store revealed another answer...

Lag bolts!  I had been advised that what I needed was zinc-plated 3/16" x 6" deck screws, which didn't exist.  They had something that was close, but not the right thing.  These were a little bigger than I was looking for, but only 1/16" thicker...it'll do! 

We pre-drilled holes in the ends of the rafter poles and began screwing them in.  A few of them were drilled a little crooked, and a few others had wood that cracked--six or seven of them will have to be trimmed, re-drilled and we'll have to try again.  However, we did get most of them set up and ready to have the heads cut off and ground smooth.

We also took our cut tono pieces and glued, nailed and clamped them into two circles.  This took two passes since we didn't have enough clamps to do both of them at once.  We paired them up, let them set, then took the pairs and set them into the two rings, nailed, glued and clamped them.

Avelyn is a little dangerous with that nail gun...gotta watch that one every minute...

Here are the two circles, sitting in the sunshine while the Gorilla glue sets up.  Next we'll have to layer these two circles together, glue and clamp them, and then they'll be trimmed into a smooth circle. 

Still have a ways to go to finish...