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http://s1285.photobucket.com/user/CooperMcCrea/slideshow/Blue Barrel Tabletop
I cook atop my blue barrels, or at least what passes for cooking; mostly heating water in the JetBoil and smearing peanut butter on bread or cutting cheese. Even with that simplicity there isn’t much room left atop the barrel for other cook wear, condiments or meal prep.
I need a larger work surface. Something like a donut shaped ring that will fit atop the barrel lid and provide additional horizontal work space.
I figure that four or five inches per side will suffice. That would be an 18” or 20” circle. Or a little larger; I’d like to hinge it for storage inside the barrel but I have no idea how to calculate that folded-donut dimension to determine if it will fit when hinged.
Time to make a template. I’ll start with a scrap of Luan and go as big as I can for starters. The flat edges due to the odd Luan shape may be beneficial later. 22” in diameter, discounting the two flat edges.
Cut to size and it fits like a charm atop the barrel. I want it hinged to fit inside the barrel. Time to cut that test template in half and add some temporary duct tape “hinges”.
So close, but about an inch too wide. I should have gone with my original estimate of 4 or 5 inches per side instead of 6 inches. Time to cut an inch off the donut’s perimeter.
If I was smart I could probably figure a way to shape the folded donut into a custom fitted barrel divider and keep my stuff bags of food on either side. Or to use four hinges and somehow quarter fold the table top to fit inside even smaller. Maybe later, when I’m smarter.
Actually, if I saw smart I would have made a cardboard template before cutting the Luan. So much for getting smarter.
One inch cut off all the way around, including the flat edges fits inside the barrel near perfect. 30L barrel = 20” outer diameter donut. If the formula holds a 60L table top would be 23” in diameter.
Time to make the beta model, using some scrap 3/8” plywood and hinges I have lying around.
Oh heck yeah, I’m liking this. At nearly 2 lbs the plywood version is way heavier than need be, but when I have the design details* worked out I’ll cut a Mark II version out of Airex or Hexcel or whatever that lightweight, corrugated resin impregnated stuff if called. That should weigh in at ounces instead of pounds.
*Design details. I opted out of the flat edges. My thought was to hang small mesh bags from those flat sides, and I may still do so. Or to cut narrow slots in the tabletop to hold my fork and spoon.
But before I start cutting up a piece of Airex or Hexcel I think I’ll epoxy coat the plywood Mark I model and spray paint it white for easy cleaning. And play with that one for a trip or three to see what design details develop in the field.
Does anyone know that that corrugated resin impregnated board is called?
I cook atop my blue barrels, or at least what passes for cooking; mostly heating water in the JetBoil and smearing peanut butter on bread or cutting cheese. Even with that simplicity there isn’t much room left atop the barrel for other cook wear, condiments or meal prep.
I need a larger work surface. Something like a donut shaped ring that will fit atop the barrel lid and provide additional horizontal work space.
I figure that four or five inches per side will suffice. That would be an 18” or 20” circle. Or a little larger; I’d like to hinge it for storage inside the barrel but I have no idea how to calculate that folded-donut dimension to determine if it will fit when hinged.
Time to make a template. I’ll start with a scrap of Luan and go as big as I can for starters. The flat edges due to the odd Luan shape may be beneficial later. 22” in diameter, discounting the two flat edges.
Cut to size and it fits like a charm atop the barrel. I want it hinged to fit inside the barrel. Time to cut that test template in half and add some temporary duct tape “hinges”.
So close, but about an inch too wide. I should have gone with my original estimate of 4 or 5 inches per side instead of 6 inches. Time to cut an inch off the donut’s perimeter.
If I was smart I could probably figure a way to shape the folded donut into a custom fitted barrel divider and keep my stuff bags of food on either side. Or to use four hinges and somehow quarter fold the table top to fit inside even smaller. Maybe later, when I’m smarter.
Actually, if I saw smart I would have made a cardboard template before cutting the Luan. So much for getting smarter.
One inch cut off all the way around, including the flat edges fits inside the barrel near perfect. 30L barrel = 20” outer diameter donut. If the formula holds a 60L table top would be 23” in diameter.
Time to make the beta model, using some scrap 3/8” plywood and hinges I have lying around.
Oh heck yeah, I’m liking this. At nearly 2 lbs the plywood version is way heavier than need be, but when I have the design details* worked out I’ll cut a Mark II version out of Airex or Hexcel or whatever that lightweight, corrugated resin impregnated stuff if called. That should weigh in at ounces instead of pounds.
*Design details. I opted out of the flat edges. My thought was to hang small mesh bags from those flat sides, and I may still do so. Or to cut narrow slots in the tabletop to hold my fork and spoon.
But before I start cutting up a piece of Airex or Hexcel I think I’ll epoxy coat the plywood Mark I model and spray paint it white for easy cleaning. And play with that one for a trip or three to see what design details develop in the field.
Does anyone know that that corrugated resin impregnated board is called?