One HUGE task done!

I got serious last week about getting the stands for the GALAXY Project done. This involved taking 230 pieces of 36”-long galvanized 12-gauge utility wire and bending them into stands.

Wire:

Wooden jig for bending:

Stand in action:

It wasn’t difficult, but it was of course repetitive. I decided to bundle them in the groups of 8 or 9 that each set of loops would require, thinking ahead to the time when we will actually deploy the piece: I wrote on the “recipe card” for each set the number of stands it would need, and the installation crew can simply pick up the appropriate bundle.

With regard to that idea, we’ll be tying them with colored twill tape (still on order) for quick identification of the number in the bundle.

Next problem: storing them.

You can imagine what 28 bundles looked like, strewn across my driveway. Actually, you’ll have to imagine it, because although I thought I took a longshot of all of them, apparently I didn’t.

I concocted a device of 2x2 and paneling to support these things in the storage tub, figuring that two layers would be sufficient and would help keep the bundles separate.

You may already see my next problem. All those twisty little hooks were bound to get tangled — and tangled badly — once all 230 stands were in the tub.

The solution:

Tyvek mailing envelopes, 6”x9”.

Before:

After:

Test:

In toto:

And done.

So now all we have to do is lay out the spine, drop the recipe cards at each wiring box, and then trundle along with this tub (it has wheels!) and drop bundles of stands as we go along. The same concept will apply for the bundles of loops.

Turn, turn, kick turn — yes, it will work!