Before you start
- Design inspiration with dimensioned concept geometry and illustrative connections; no established load, tipping or riding-use rating.
- The base provides a wider geometric support footprint in both axes. No tip-load threshold, impact safety, anchorage capacity or riding-use approval is established.
- Base holes and hardware are an illustrative attachment layout, not selected structural products. Threads, material grade, tightening and connection capacity are unspecified.
- The poles remain body-only geometry. Closed post slots would retain upper rails; the model does not establish a freely falling rail system.
- The 126 in pole blank remains provisional. Flush full-depth ends through 3 1/2 in posts would require 127 in before allowance; neither is a final rail joint.
Dimensions and opening sizes
- Clear opening between postsIllustrated geometry; footprint is a bounding extent, not a capacity rating.
- 120 in
- Post heightIllustrated geometry; footprint is a bounding extent, not a capacity rating.
- 54 in
- Each base, left to rightIllustrated geometry; footprint is a bounding extent, not a capacity rating.
- 36 in
- Each base, front to backIllustrated geometry; footprint is a bounding extent, not a capacity rating.
- 36 in
- Individual arm lengthIllustrated geometry; footprint is a bounding extent, not a capacity rating.
- 19 3/4 in
- Overall assembly lengthIllustrated geometry; footprint is a bounding extent, not a capacity rating.
- 159 1/2 in
- Highest illustrated rail topIllustrated geometry; footprint is a bounding extent, not a capacity rating.
- 48 in
Shopping list
| Buy | Material | Stock size |
|---|---|---|
| 1 board | 4 x 4 lumber | 10 ft |
| 6 | Sound natural poles, 3-4 in diameter | At least 11 ft |
| 2 board | 2 x 6 lumber | 8 ft |
| 8 | Illustrative through bolts | 3/8 in; 7 in under head shown |
| 16 | Illustrative washers | 1 in OD x 1/16 in thick shown |
| 8 | Illustrative nuts | 3/8 in; 5/16 in thick shown |
Quantity notes
Indicative timber allocation and illustrated connector quantities only. Selected hardware products, coatings, ground anchors and installation materials are outside this reference.
- 4 x 4 lumber, 10 ft: Two 54 in post blanks; allow saw kerfs and end trimming.
- Sound natural poles, 3-4 in diameter, At least 11 ft: 126 in provisional blanks. Species, defects and final pole-end geometry are not specified.
- 2 x 6 lumber, 8 ft: Four 19 3/4 in arms per board total 79 in, plus 3/8 in for three interior kerfs; eight arms total.
- Illustrative through bolts, 3/8 in; 7 in under head shown: Generic unthreaded envelopes. Dimensions illustrate the attachment; select actual hardware separately.
- Illustrative washers, 1 in OD x 1/16 in thick shown: Two per bolt; 7/16 in modeled bore. No manufacturer specification or capacity assigned.
- Illustrative nuts, 3/8 in; 5/16 in thick shown: 9/16 in flats in model, no threads. Verify actual thread engagement and compatibility.
Tools & equipment
- FreeCAD for editing the native solid model
- STEP-compatible CAD software for exchange geometry
BEFORE YOU BUILD
Use this work at your own risk
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CC CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 InternationalShare and adapt this free design for noncommercial purposes with appropriate credit. Link to the license, indicate changes, and license adaptations under the same terms.
Instructions
01 Read the four-sided base
- Each standard has one 19 3/4 in arm on each of its four faces. The arms rotate around the post in a pinwheel, giving a 36 x 36 in bounding footprint without crossing boards. All arm bottoms and the post base share the ground plane.
Check: Find four arms on each standard, with support extending in both horizontal directions.
02 See the standards without poles
- The poles-removed view shows both complete standards. Their four-arm bases and depicted through-bolt attachments are unchanged by pole removal. Ground contact is the four narrow arm strips and post, not a solid square platform.
Check: Identify the clear gap between the two independent bases and the flat contact beneath every arm.
03 Inspect the illustrated base connections
- Each standard has four bolt sets. The X-directed axes are 1 1/4 and 3 1/4 in above ground; the Y-directed axes are 2 1/4 and 4 1/4 in above ground. Each axis passes through two opposed arms and the post, a 6 1/2 in wood stack.
Check: Locate two bores in each arm and check that the perpendicular bore pairs sit at different heights.
04 Compare the unchanged rails
- The six 120 in pole bodies have tops at 18, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 48 in. Uniform 3 1/2 in CAD cylinders represent the 3-4 in natural-pole range. Pole ends, post slots and release hardware are not modeled.
Check: Distinguish the new base connections from the still-unspecified rail connections.
05 Explore a separate variation
- Use the native CAD to study proportions, finishes or base details. Individual solids are editable; the dimension sheet is informational. Update drawings and quantities together if you change the geometry.
Check: Save a separate copy and record the dimensions changed.