I am throwing a clinker into the thread������.
It was bothering me that my X structures (page 1 of the thread) were leaning to an alarming degree. So I went down there to see what the problem was.
The top nuts have backed off enough so the lock washer is no longer compressed. That allows the whole works to flex in the wind. I suppose the wood compressed and since there is a lot of wood it was easy for things to loosen up. The X configuration is intact from top to bottom as I imagine there is plenty of friction between each timber to keep them from turning.
My plan is to tighten them up again. Then, I m going to run four 4� deck screws in at each timber junction point at a 30 degree or so down angle to lock them all individually to each other. That will give my cordless DeWalt an aerobic workout, though not an epiphany, as it is an inanimate object!
http://www.pondboss.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=002430 After they settle in again for a week, I will return again to tighten the top nut down for a final time.
At that point I am willing to bet they will drop to the bottom in the desired configuration as per the original design parameters. That, baring a tornadic event on the day they sink!
Talk about your �on the fly� engineering.
Sorry for the thread reversion to the original subject!
Dwight
