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General Discussion => Welcome and General Discussion => Topic started by: 121 Seconds on November 22, 2014, 04:42:54 AM

Title: Man Builds Giant Paddling Pool in the Backyard
Post by: 121 Seconds on November 22, 2014, 04:42:54 AM
If dreams are never turned into something that is tangible and visceral then life tends to be lived a little lukewarm.

It is one thing to dream about building a giant paddling pool, but to actually carry the dream through to completion is another story. Life is often like that and sometimes we can live a little too much in our heads without enough action. That been said, we all need some kind of a tipping point.

Not satisfied with an average sized paddling pool but not wanting the installation costs of a permanent pool I set about to bridge the gap.

(http://www.thedirteffect.com/uploads/7/9/1/1/7911196/6394847.jpg?451)

In two afternoons worth of work and at a fraction of the price of a professional build, I got this puppy up and running.

(http://www.thedirteffect.com/uploads/7/9/1/1/7911196/5886470.jpg?607)

The garden benefitted from a thorough watering after the festivities concluded and the total water cost was half the price of a family pass to the local pool.

(http://www.thedirteffect.com/uploads/7/9/1/1/7911196/24752_orig.jpg)

So I put it to you,

What was the thing that after months, possibly years of dreaming you hit your tipping point and just did it?


If this project has wet your appetite, I have made a short film of it to check out,

http://youtu.be/4j4QmPBBNEI

http://www.thedirteffect.com/the-latest/man-builds-giant-paddling-pool-in-backyard
Title: Re: Man Builds Giant Paddling Pool in the Backyard
Post by: csr on November 22, 2014, 11:27:57 PM
amazing!
Title: Re: Man Builds Giant Paddling Pool in the Backyard
Post by: auntie_betty on November 23, 2014, 03:34:55 AM
Fantastic! My very minor achievements were years ago but still give me satisfaction:
1. Moved into new home and there was damp behind washing machine as the 'tap' had been leaking (probably for a year since the house was new). Couldn't undo it to try to refit it. Switched off water at mains, cut through pipe and fitted a new one. 13 years later it's till going strong.
2. Dishwasher broke and couldn't be repaired. I'd paid £2 for it about 8 years before so it didn't owe me anything. Researched the cheapest, most economical machine that was in stock locally. Picked it up in little hatch back car (refused to pay delivery charge, anyway that would have been 3 days away and this was an emergency!!!!). It JUST fitted in, much to salesman's disbelief. Got it home, manouvered it out of car and 'walked it' into the house on my own. Went to plumb in and decided I didn't like how it was done so got new fittings and redid it. Saved around £30 by collecting and fitting (am ignoring the fact I should have gone on ebay - doh)

These 2 minor things gave me the belief I could tackle anything if I tried hard enough - which has sometimes backfired as I'm not really as good as I like to think I am!
Title: Re: Man Builds Giant Paddling Pool in the Backyard
Post by: seattlecyclone on November 24, 2014, 11:32:58 AM
That's pretty cool! How deep was the water?
Title: Re: Man Builds Giant Paddling Pool in the Backyard
Post by: 121 Seconds on November 26, 2014, 08:14:41 PM
Quote from: seattlecyclone on November 24, 2014, 11:32:58 AM
That's pretty cool! How deep was the water?

It is about 35 centimeters deep and is 4 meters by 2 meters wide.

All up I used about 4000 Liters of water, about $10 worth here in Australia.

(http://www.thedirteffect.com/uploads/7/9/1/1/7911196/7198942_orig.jpg)

Click below to view an attempted World Record with this set up.

http://youtu.be/DkCGU79Lgpw
Title: Re: Man Builds Giant Paddling Pool in the Backyard
Post by: GoCubsGo on November 27, 2014, 09:03:32 AM
Love it, looks like your family did too.  Nice work. How long did you leave it up for?
Title: Re: Man Builds Giant Paddling Pool in the Backyard
Post by: 121 Seconds on November 28, 2014, 07:27:19 AM
Quote from: GoCubsGo on November 27, 2014, 09:03:32 AM
Love it, looks like your family did too.  Nice work. How long did you leave it up for?

I had it filled for 3 days. The backyard is fully fenced, but with a young family I didn't want any accidents, so I drained the water out at the end of the weekend.

(http://www.thedirteffect.com/uploads/7/9/1/1/7911196/7823554.jpg?580)

I have left the frame as is for the time being. My wife is keen for round 2 on Christmas Day. The extended family will be in town, should be a bit of fun!

(http://www.thedirteffect.com/uploads/7/9/1/1/7911196/3764879_orig.jpg)

http://www.thedirteffect.com/the-latest/category/giant-paddling-pool