| Forum: | Building And Renovating Your Own Castle |
| Topic: | drawbridges |
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[URL=http://www.castlesontheweb.com/cgi-bin/ubb/castles/search.cgi?action=simplesearch&SearchIn=ALL&ForumChoice=ALL&SearchTerms=draw+bridge&BooleanAND=YES&SearchDate=ALL&SearchUser =&ExactName=no&File=temp-2452821-155543-5BI4.cgi&Total=28&StartAt=A:[/URL] Good luck with your project [This message has been edited by duncan (edited 06-30-2003).]sailorman After a great weekend at Bush Gardens and lots of photos of their "castles" I am enthused again. I have most of my design worked out but looking for some suggestions for the drawbridge. Would like to hinge it very close to the wall and probably only 8 feet long/high but strong enough to be driven over daily. Looking for thoughts on its construction (and type of wood and weather proofing) and how do I raise and lower it? I want remote control like a garage door. I don't believe steel cable is very authentic, iron links would quickly rust in the coastal environment and now out of ideas. I have thought about hydraulic cylinders mounted "underground" adjacent to the pivots. Has anyone else built one?
On a related note - is there any demand for large link chain molded out of plastic? Peter Hi,
don't forget there are several types of 'draw' bridges. One of them means just that, a 'withdrawing' bridge.
ie. basically a bridge that is pulled into the castle on rollers then the gate closed. A good example is at Conway castle in North Wales. Where one has been made in steel to show how it worked.
Know its still there, ' cause I was at Conway last week checking on some features for an article.
A 'withdrawing bridge' would mean all your gear could be hidden. The bridge sliding into a reccess in the floor of your entrance.
Maybe you could have one control linked to the door and bridge ?
When pressed the door would open/close (as any electric door), and the bridge would slide in/out.
This type of bridge was favoured where there was not a tower of sufficent size to house lifting gear.
Just a thought.duncan Did a search of this site and found a few interesting posts and a schools web site with some info, hope something in all of it helps.
I'm not sure why iron chains wouldn't last several life times as they are still used in the shipping industry. Often they can be found in coastal scrap yards.
A problem with their use is your need some form of lifting devise such as a capstan in a very Strong structure.
Oak would be a good wood as its fairly cheap and easily found.
Hydraulic cylinders could be hidden in a steel frame work covered with wood planks.sailorman Thanks Peter - I had not thought of that at all but I still favor the "normal" type as I want it to completely cover the entrance while I am not there (this will be a second home)
Duncan - I am afraid of the weight of the chains - going to do some serious investigation for a plastic chain (plastics is my profession). Oak is my default wood and have plenty (as well as a portable sawmill) The concept of the cylinders inside the wood is a great one. Going to do some sketches over the holiday WE.Whitemanfrtown Greetings. Bear with me-im new to computers. But im not new to construction. Ive been working on creating my own castle for a few years now and certainly would like to share some info.
please see my additional topic entitled "Im making one..." Scott.
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