Garden · GA-012

Hinged bean A-frame

Provide two inclined climbing faces that fold together for seasonal storage.

Editorial construction draft. Original digital diagrams; no physical build or load certification. Read dimensions, fit and use limits before making changes. US customary dimensions control; metric values are references.

Before marking and cutting

Use limits

Materials and cuts

PartQtySize to cutMaterial
P01 Legs460 × 1 1/2 × 1 1/2 in
1524 × 38.1 × 38.1 mm
2 × 2 in board sound untreated wood
P02 Crossrails630 × 1 1/2 × 3/4 in
762 × 38.1 × 19.05 mm
1 × 2 in board sound untreated cedar or other durable untreated wood; no unknown salvage

Hardware and consumables

Tools

Assembly

GA-012 dimensioned assembly
  1. Plan the hinged bean a-frame for this result: Provide two inclined climbing faces that fold together for seasonal storage. Confirm the design reference before cutting: Both panels individually 30 × 60 in; hinges operate freely. In the drawings x runs left to right, y runs front to rear and z runs upward.
  2. Verify the required stock before laying out these parts: 1 × 2 in board: actual 0.75 × 1.5 in (19.05 × 38.1 mm); 2 × 2 in board: actual 1.5 × 1.5 in (38.1 × 38.1 mm). Reject split or twisted wood and unknown salvage; thinner stock requires recalculating the joints, not simply using the listed lengths.
  3. Cut and label the finished parts: 4 Legs 60 × 1.5 × 1.5 in (1524 × 38.1 × 38.1 mm), mark P01; 6 Crossrails 30 × 1.5 × 0.75 in (762 × 38.1 × 19.05 mm), mark P02. Keep saw kerf outside each finished line. Rip only where the finished width is narrower than the actual stock; use a suitable guide and target ±1/16 in (1.6 mm) for ordinary cuts. Dowel triples mean length × diameter × diameter, not square dowel stock.
  4. Build two identical flat panels, each 30 in outside width, using two 60 in legs and three 30 in rails. Rail lower edges are 12, 36 and 58-1/2 in from the leg bottoms.
  5. Clamp square, then fasten each rail end with one centered 2-1/2 in screw. Keep all screw heads flush and rail edges rounded.
  6. Lay the panels face to face with their top leg ends aligned. Mark hinge centers 4 in from each outside edge.
GA-012 dimensioned parts or elevation
  1. Install hinges across the two upper crossrails with compatible 3/4 in screws. Trial-fold the panels and check that leaves do not bind.
  2. Stand the panels and spread their feet to 30 in horizontal separation. The 60 in leg length yields a top height of approximately 58 in; the cuboid scene shows the unrotated fabrication panels.
  3. Install one spread-limit strap at each end, connecting the corresponding legs 6 in above ground. Adjust both equally so the assembly cannot open farther during use.
  4. String each climbing face with vertical soft twine at 6 in intervals. Tie to top and bottom rails; keep growth routes separate from hinge gaps.
  5. Secure all four feet to site-appropriate anchors before planting. Test opening and closing empty, keep fingers clear, and fold/store before severe weather.
  6. Complete the acceptance checks below before putting the assembly into service. Record any changed stock thickness, fastener or equipment fit on the project sheet. The published geometry has not been physically built or load-tested.

Checks

Operation

Cleaning and maintenance

Primary context

These sources inform the context and do not endorse the original construction design.