6 and 8 Sided Star Pavilion Setup.

Note: When making this style of tent before making the roof and wall panel it is advisable to set up the roof frame and take measurements, before cutting the fabric out for assembly of the roof panel. This will allow for proper fit of the roof, and will also allow for water proofing of the canvas if the canvas is not already waterproofed.

 Assembling of the roof frame before installing the roof canvas. The wall frames must also be assemble at this time also. Do not tighten the 1/4 inch carriage bolts. These bolts should be at 3 inches in length, to allow for hinging action when standing the frame up. For ease use 1/4 inch wing nuts as this allows one not to have to carry tools off and on site, although sometimes a pair of need nose piers do come in handy. The center pin should be at least 3/8 inch dia. and roughly 4 inches long. A fender washer at top and bottom will secure this center pin. For the hing bolts (carriage bolts) it will require two fender washers and a wing nut. In arranging the frame, start with laying out the frame than at each point begin with the rafter, followed by the lateral side frame, than the wall frame. One fender washer on top, the other on the bottom. DO NOT TIGHTEN THESE AS THIS ALLOWS FOR THE WALL FRAME TO HINGE DOWNWARD when setup.

 Layout the roof canvas and stretch to the lateral frame supports. Occasionally tie one of the ties to the hing point for once setup, if Windy the canvas may be blown off. It should be tied at each point. Note it is advisable to have a center tie in between each of the hinge points, but these can be tied later.

 Once the tent roof panel is secured the frame is ready to be stood up. Note - you do not need six people to eight people to set one of these up. To make life a little easier, you will need three people for the six side and four people for the eight sided to setup. Each person to stand in the center of the wall triangle alternating to every second triangle. When (people in position 1, 3, 5 - for the six sided pavilion) and (1, 3, 5, 7 for the eight sided pavilion) setting up the position of lateral frame member 2,4,and 6 and with the eight sided 8 will automatically go up. 

 Here Kasper and Karla are tieing down the middle ties of the roof panel to the star frame, before installing the wall panels. When making the roof panel I have found Velcro to be very helpful in securing the wall panels. It is advisable to have a few ties on the wall panel to aid in support while one connects the wall panels to the roof panel. Note when making the wall panels divide the tent outside per minter into two, and make to the length allowing an extra foot for each panel so as to be able to close the entrances.

 This is an important step - PLEASE SECURE YOUR TENT TO THE GROUND using tent pegs and or long nails at least 8 inch length. I have seen so many of these tents fail in windy conditions in a total collapse. Therefore use a tent peg at each junction of the triangle where it meets the ground. Once this is done it can take upwards to 60kw gusts. Remember these do act like sails.

 Here is a view of the tent pin made of one 8 inch nail, and a fender washer, inserted through a chain tag into the ground. The fender washer serves to purposes. One to make the nail head larger in aid of supporting the frame from been kicked of its anchor, and two for easy pulling using a hammer craw.

 Once all frame is secured along with the roof canvas, it is now time to install the wall panels.

 Shown here is the center pin of the star tent rafters where the intersect. There is other methods of securing the center and one of these is is the star pavilion hexagon metal frame support made by Simpson's. This part is sometimes hard to find, but check the hardware stores, as they may sometime have one in stock. From my dealings I understand that Simpson's Fasteners no longer makes this part.

 Shown here is two six sided pavilions and the brown one is the eight sided pavilion. The walls are now in stalled and ready for the next step. The next step is optional, but does give a nice effect, and in the early spring or fall does act as an insulator on those cold nights. Not shown, but on the wall at the bottom are made pockets to insert a wood member sightly shorter than the lateral supports to hold down the canvas when the wind is blowing.

 The inner panels is shown here and is optional. Ties at the top of the roof panels and wall panels are made of Velcro, and allows for easy setup and tear down. Start with the wall panels first, follow by the roof panel. The roof panel will also act as further insurance to prevent any leaks from making your items wet in the tent when it rains.

Note: If you are having trouble in setting up this style of tent please check instruction above. If there is another problem and wish for further instruction contact Lady Christiana Elizabeth Constable at email pheasant01@yahoo.com. It may take a couple of weeks to get back to you after I have viewed the problem listed from your email.