Framework

Foundation Tube Positioning

Foundation tubes (25/50PS) have a diameter of 2.5 cm and are 50cm long. They are swaged (S) at one end, the diameter of the tubing is reduced at the end to enable it to slot together with another piece of plain (P) tube. Setting the foundation tubes correctly is the most important part of construction. Take care to ensure that they are in-line, spaced evenly and set at a consistent height, as this will dictate how well the finished product will look and perform. Take all measurements from the centre of these tubes. Mark out the length of your fruit cage (e.g. 391cm), and using the foundation tubes as markers, position a tube at 195.5cm and 391cm – drive in the foundation tubes approx 5cm.

You are simply using the foundation tubes to indicate the final position of the holes (fig 1a). Use a string line to ensure that the tubes are positioned in a straight line. Measure 195.5cm across the width from this line and repeat. To help keep the tubes square use the 3, 4, 5 triangle as shown in (fig 1b). Repeat the same procedure another 195.5cm across.

Door Position

Decide the position for the door, it is recommended that the hinge side of the door is at a corner post. From the corner post measure 103cm across and position a foundation tube keeping the tube in line with the others. (fig 1c). Check for square by measuring across the diagonals. This distance should be equal within approximately 5cm. If not, adjust the position of the tubes, (fig 1b).

Foundation Tube
Drive all the foundation tubes into the ground keeping them as upright as possible until just the swage remains protruding above ground level (fig 1d).

Start at one corner and take a frame upright tube 214cm (214PP), slot this over the swage end of the foundation tube (fig 1e).. Fix together the two tubes with a self-drill screw (SDS48) using the supplied socket (DB73946). The screws will drill their own hole and tap themselves into position. Keep all the screws on the inside to avoid catching on the net when covering. Please be careful not to strip the thread by over tightening. Repeat this for all the remaining vertical tubes (fig 1f).

Door Hinges

Slide a lower door hinge onto the corner post ensuring that the pin is pointing upwards, next slide on a Q clip this will later be used to fix the corner stabilisers, lastly slide on the other lower door hinge with the pin pointing upwards (fig 1g).

Corner Posts

At all the remaining corner posts and posts adjacent to the corner post, slide on two Q clips. Should you forget or miss a post, don’t worry as these clamps can be levered apart and placed around a tube at a later stage without too much difficulty (fig 1h).

Corner Post Joint

Starting again at the door corner post, slide a corner post joint over the top of the post, making sure that the two other holes line up with the next posts. Each post/tube is secured to the joint with a hexagonal bolt. Tighten the bolt with an hexagonal key just enough to hold the joint in position. (fig 1i).

Intermediate Joint

Slide a intermediate joint over the top of the next post, making sure that the three other holes line up accordingly with the next posts. Lightly lock the joint in position (fig 1j).

Top Rail

Take a horizontal tube 214cm (214PP) and push into the hole in the corner joint and then into the hole in the intermediate joint (fig 10k), when both ends are in position tighten the bolts (fig 10l). An extra pair of hands might be useful at this point.

Door Post

Take a horizontal tube 193cm (214PP) and slide on the tee joint (fig 1m). Position the tee joint over the door post and lightly lock in position, the tube can then be slid along until it locates into the corner post joint and secured in position with the bolt (fig 1n). Place a intermediate joint over the next post and then onto the horizontal tube/door rail, secure both tubes to the intermediate joint using the hexagonal key. Make sure that the door post is vertical and secure the tee joint to the horizontal tube/door rail with the 2 x securing bolts (fig 1o).

Centre Joint

Slide a centre joint over the centre post and line up the holes to the previously fixed intermediate joints, lightly lock in position (fig 1p). Slide a tube into intermediate joint and then into the centre joint secure in position. Repeat for the other tube (fig 1q).