Summary of Contents for northern polytunnels Hobby
- Page 1 Hobby Instructions Watch our helpful instruction video online at: northernpolytunnels.co.uk/videos/ or scan the QR code Watch our helpful instruction video online at: www.northernpolytunnels.co.uk/videos or scan: INS 323...
- Page 2 Introduction Thank you for purchasing your Hobby polytunnel. Before you begin to build, we strongly recommend you read the instructions thoroughly. Take time to check all the parts are present and make sure you have the correct tools to build your polytunnel. It is advisable to leave adequate working space around your polytunnel for maintenance, operations and re-covering.
- Page 3 Hobby Corner Base Rail Bracket Pack Some of these packs may be found inside a master pack (see table). HPK04 Hobby Side Base Rail Bracket Pack EBP07 End Strut Pack EBP07 can be found inside HPK01 HPK08 Timber Door Pack...
- Page 4 Foundations - Squaring the polytunnel Parts / Packs Foundation Tubes Tools Tape measure, Tape, Setting out pins / pegs, String We recommend that the foundations are set out accurately, this will ensure the polytunnel is constructed to satisfaction. Use the 3:4:5 Triangle Method to position the foundation tubes correctly.
- Page 5 Foundations - Foundation Tubes Traditional Ground Tubes Screw Anchors n.b. Avoid on ground with a high stone/rubble content, Concreting method: For each foundation tube, dig peat soils, or loose ground which has been recently a 35cm wide x 45cm deep hole. Fill the hole to the disturbed or deep cultivated.
- Page 6 Hoops and Ridge Parts / Packs End Hoop Pack (HPK01), Inner Hoop pack (HPK02) Tools 13mm Spanner / Socket Image 1 Our hoops are supplied in two pieces, one half having a swaged end with the other being plain. This allows the two halves to slot together. ...
- Page 7 Hoops and Ridge Continued Step Five (Image 6) Place the pipe collars from HPK01 onto your corner foundation tubes and then move on to the HPK02 inner hoop packs and place the pipe collars on the foundations. Then thread the hoop to ridge brackets on to the hoops as previously (step 4) (Note that on your first inner foundations there will already be the saddle clamps - the foundation collar will...
- Page 8 Corner Diagonals Parts / Packs End Strut Pack (EBP07) which you saved from HPK01 earlier. Tools 13mm Spanner/Socket, Spirit Level IMAGE 1 IMAGE 2 There are 4 corner diagonal brace bars one for each corner which braces the gable end and ensures that the end hoops are plum.
- Page 9 Door Frames Parts / Packs Timber Door Frame Pack HPK07 You will also need the HPK01 - End Hoop Pack (For each end hoop) 2 x ROOFING BOLTS FOR DOOR FRAME BRACKET 2 x PLAIN NUTS 2 x WASHERS Tools Drill, Tape Measure, Hammer Build your door frames on a flat surface first.
- Page 10 Fitting The Door Frame Run a string line across the front of the tunnel from one end of the hoop to the other to act as a guide for the door frame. Position the door frame behind the string line then measure accurately to make sure it is central between the two sides of the hoop.
- Page 11 Base Rail Parts/Packs Hobby Corner Base Rail Bracket Pack (HPK03), Hobby Side Base Rail Bracket Pack (HPK04), Timber Base Rail Pack (HPK05), Timber Base Rail Join Pack (HPK06) Tools Spade Lay the timbers for the base rail out in position around your tunnel frame. You will have four, 4ft or 5ft lengths depending on the width of your tunnel to use on the gable ends.
- Page 12 Battens The polythene is fixed to the tunnel using timber battens. The first row of battens is nailed to the top outside face of the base rail, use a short piece of batten as a spacer underneath the batten you are fixing. The top batten is held in place with nails every 400mm.
- Page 13 PVC Double Zip Vent Door Continued Image 3 & 4 Now batten around the vent with the timber battens - these go to the outside edge of the door up- rights and door top. The nails are spaced at 40-45mm apart. See the next page for the instructions on how to build your wooden door IMAGE 3 IMAGE 4...
- Page 14 Wooden Hobby Door Build Parts / Packs Timber Door Frame Pack (HPK08), the Door Cladding Pack (EBP22 or 23) and Timber Door Fittings Pack. (HPK09) Tools Tape measure, Hammer, Drill Your timber pack contains; 2 x 2” by 2” timbers - 700mm long 3 x timber battens - 700mm long 2 x timber battens - 1.9m long...
- Page 15 Anti-Hotspot Tape There are two widths of hot spot tape provided, 30mm and 20mm. The wider tape is used on the end hoops as the polythene cover will have greater contact with the end hoops, due to the polythene being pulled around the ends. The 30mm tape should be positioned accordingly, half on the top edge of the hoops and half on the outside face of the hoop.
- Page 16 Polytunnel Cover Parts / Packs Polythene Tools Spade, Hammer, Fork Fitting the cover NOTE: Don’t attempt to cover the polytunnel if windy. However, if there is a slight breeze then use this to your advantage and pull the cover over the tunnel into the breeze. Step One Unroll the polythene sheet along one side of your polytunnel (preferable on the downwind side if there is a slight breeze), Image 1...
- Page 17 Polytunnel Cover – Continued Step Two Secure the cover at one end by pulling the polythene tight and inserting 1 of the nails on the batten in the centre of the door frame under the existing batten. (Images 4 & 5) Repeat this procedure on the other door frame.
- Page 18 Polytunnel Cover – Continued Step Four Once both sides are complete you can work your way down each of the door posts, Image 8 - Step Four Using a sharp knife, cut the spare polythene from the corner outwards at a 135° angle to the base rails (approx.).
- Page 19 Polytunnel Cover - Tightening the Polythene Parts / Packs Polythene Tools Spanner Once you’ve battened the door frames, trenched in the polythene, replaced the sods, cut away any excess polythene, it’s time to tighten the polythene on the structure. Image 1 shows an un-tightened structure. IMAGE 1 The unique feature of a Northern Polytunnel greenhouse is the ability to simply tighten the polythene (and loosen it if required) easily.
- Page 20 Optional Extras – Side Vent Continued Parts / Packs Side Vent Pack (EBP18), Side Vent Additional Hoop Pack (EBP19) Tools 13mm Spanner, Tape Measure, Spirit Level, Marker Pen, String, Sharp Knife Step 1 - Now that your polythene is fully fitted and tight, you need to make sure the Side Vent Rail is as level as possible (if you’re building on a slope, the rail still needs to be level so that the roll-up vent works sufficiently.)
- Page 21 Optional Extras – Side Vent Continued Unravel The side screen polythene (don’t cut it yet) This will be clipped into the side rail using the Wiggle-Wire (see Image 6) trapping all three materials (at the same time) - the polythene screen, the main polythene cover and the net panels.
- Page 22 Optional Extras – Side Vent Continued To get the drive tube level, lift up the polythene excess so the drive tube is level with the base rail, lay it back down, roll the drive tube out about halfway, then fold over the polythene and roll it around the drive tube Image 1 Top Tip - Make sure the end of the drive tube is level with the end of the Polytunnel so that...
- Page 23 Image 4 Now you’ve built your polytunnel, share your photos. The best photos each month will be in with the chance of winning a £100 Northern Polytunnels voucher. Perfect to spend on new accessories for your new polytunnel. sales@npstructures.co.uk @northernpolytunnelsuk...
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