Refer the following figure. We have to first make three s i d e s of t h e p y r a m i d w h i c h will h a v e n o e n t r y p o i n t . C o m p a r a t i v e l y these a r e simple to m a k e . If you see the a b o v e sketches you will find that we need two triangular pieces to m a k e one side of the pyramid.
T h e following figure shows how the triangles are to be attached to each other. T h e best way to do it is by means of a 'dovetail' joint. Two or three dove tails are to be made a n d t h e n the two p i e c e s can be j o i n e d together. Before
h a m m e r i n g the pieces in the d o v e tail j o i n t apply a quote of F E V I C O L adhesive to make the joint air free. This will also give additional strength to the joint. The dovetails can be made f r o m the leftover material and two brass screws can be used to fix the dove firmly to one side alongwith fevicol.
The idea is to m a k e the surface as plain as practicable and projecting pieces to hold the triangles are not to be used. After t h e w o r k is c o m p l e t e d y o u s h o u l d h a v e a triangle which has a smooth even surface on both sides and looks like a single u n i f o r m sheet.
Repeat the same procedure to make the other two sides of the pyramid. N o w we have three sides of the pyramid, all isosceles triangles a n d the final shape is as shown in the following figure.
Fig. 7 8 - T h r e e T r i a n g u l a r p i e c e s s u c h a s t h i s o n e .
Fig. 77
Face 1 Face 2 F a c e 3
We n o w c o m e to the fourth side w h e r e we have to incorporate an entry door also. Refer the following figure.
We need an entry door of at least 2 feet wide and 4 feet l o n g so t h a t w i t h s o m e difficulty (but n o t too much) a person should b e able to enter and leave the pyramid. This door will also help to keep a plastic chair inside.
Start f r o m the apex and take down the ruler parallel to the base till y o u reach a length of a little above one foot.
Mark a width of exactly one foot f r o m the straight edge as shown in figure.
Repeat the p r o c e d u r e on the o t h e r piece. T h e pieces with the marking completed will a p p e a r as under.
Fig. 80 Fig. 79
Cut along the marked line the two halves of the opening. Carefully get this j o b done as these pieces are r e q u i r e d to m a k e the door.
Now with the same dove tail joints assemble the two triangular pieces as shown in figure.
Fig. 81
Figure of fourthside with door opening door shown at the side
Assemble the two rectangular pieces by joining them at the center again using dovetail joints and fevicol adhesive.
Use the adhesive liberally not only at the joint but on the sides as well. O n e a d v a n t a g e if y o u are w o r k i n g with cement particle board is that you can also work with other cement bonding materials.
Check with your hardware dealer to know m o r e about these materials which have been introduced recently in the market. If it is plywood your choice will be restricted to F E V I C O L or other such adhesives r e c o m m e n d e d by your hardware supplier.
Get a rubber beading which should be flat and atleast an inch wide. Using brass screws fit the same on the inside
of the o p e n i n g which will provide a firm resting p l a c e a n d will also p r e v e n t the door sliding inwards. Using brass hinges fit the door on one side. Fix a brass handle o n e on the inside and o n e on t h e o u t s i d e so t h a t the d o o r can be o p e n e d easily either f r o m inside or outside. Use a brass ball catch to hold the d o o r in locked position when closed.
T h e following figure shows the fourth side when you are finished with it.
Before starting the assembly work allow a time of two or t h r e e days so t h a t t h e joint's are well cured and the adhesive hardens.
In the mean while you can proceed with the rest of the w o r k required to erect the pyramid.
Select a flat place of land. For the present model we are discussing now you n e e d an area of 10 feet x 10 feet.
T h e two things we have to p r o v i d e for are;
1. Adequate Ventilation,
2. An all r o u n d support so that the pyramid does not collapse.
Fig. 82
Ventilation w i t h o u t seriously i n t e r f e r i n g with the p e r f o r m a n c e of the p y r a m i d can be given by mounting the p y r a m i d at a height of 2 i n c h e s f r o m t h e g r o u n d . T h i s will allow enough light in the mornings should you decide to use the same in the mornings. Some people are sensitive to total darkness and if all of a sudden they enter a pyramid without lighting and you close the door on them they may not like the feeling at all.
Secondly it is advisable to give an all r o u n d support.
This can be done by jungle wood pieces which are cheap and all you need are pieces which are about 2" wide and 2" thick. Don't worry about it's uniformity or quality. Just smoothening the faces with e m e r y p a p e r a n d applying a protective coat of the paint is all that is r e q u i r e d as the f r a m e is not a p e r f o r m i n g part of the p y r a m i d . A frame, using these wooden piece is to be m a d e as under so that the inside of the frame measures a little m o r e than 8 feet on all sides (taking the inside measurements).
Refer the followings figures.
F r a m e
Fig. 83
T h e first figure shows the frame only and the second figure s h o w s the f r a m e m o u n t e d on four legs. It is better you use either plastic solid discs or ebonite as both are hard and does not wear out. They are also unaffected by seasonal changes. Fit four or eight legs so that the frame firmly sits on the g r o u n d you have selected. If you have selected an open roof m a k e sure that the surface is leveled first. Most of you are aware that a R C C roof is not flat when finished.
To a l l o w t h e r a i n w a t e r to d r a i n e a s i l y g r a d i e n t s are provided using either surki or cement and because of this the roof will not be having a uniform surface.
If you therefore carefully notice the levels on the roof you will o b s e r v e that they are u n d u l a t e d , After selecting particular area on the roof top where you want the pyramid to be erected, flatten the area by using extra cement so that you have a plain surface. Get the plainness of the surface checked t h r o u g h a level measurement device.
O v e r this you can now place the frame. T h e frame can be assembled using iron nails also. It is better to paint the frame b e f o r e placement since this job will be difficult to do once the p v r a m i d is placed inside.
M o u n t i n g P a d
•Frame
Fig. 84
T h e next job is to align the f r a m e on the magnetic axis. If you align the frame now itself the job can be accomplished m o r e easily a n d the pyramid gets automatically aligned so that it will not be necessary to align the pyramid o n c e again. To do this all you have to do is to Lake a teak w o o d b e a d i n g w h i c h is n o r m a l l y a v a i l a b l e w i t h all w o o d merchants. T h e beading should be about 10 feet long a n d the n o r m a l thickness is about 10mm.
>• B e a d i n g
N
W
C o m p a s s
E
S
(You can ofcourse use one side of the frame equally well. But as the frame work may not be ainnately done I have suggested this method.)
F i g . 8 5
Ensure that the beading is sitting exactly on the center point between any the two sides one on north and the other on south.
N o w t a k e t h e c o m p a s s a n d k e e p it approximately in the center of the beading over the frame, l a k e a small piece of celotape and fix the compass to the b e a d i n g so that it stays in position till the j o b is completed.
N
A
F i g . 8 6
In the above figure you will find the frame placed on a level surface. Place the b e a d i n g after locating the e x a c t c e n t e r p o i n t on the diagonal and roughly align the f r a m e so that one side is in line with the magnetic axis.
Place the beading exactly on the center point so that the center of the beading approximately lies on the center of the diagonal you have marked. Use an adhesive below the beading so that it holds the beading firmly for some time. After the alignment exercise is completed it is easy to detach the beading from the frame with little pressure.
T h e compass needle will be deflected f r o m the letter marked 'N' in the compass either towards left where you find the letters N W or to the right where it is m a r k e d NE.
(If by chance it is exactly aligned with the beading then it need not be disturbed.)
If this is the case with the help of one or two people move the frame in the opposite direction of the swing. This should be done gently by pushing the frame on the ground to one side. As the frame moves the Compass needle slowly moves towards the letter marked N. Continue to push one end of the frame till the needle aligns itself exactly on the North-South line marked on the compass. This is the correct position to place the pyramid.
It is better to fix the f r a m e firmly to the g r o u n d by using strong stainless steel nails at six or more points (two on each side) so that the frame does not m o v e accidently.
If you are mounting the pyramid on an open area like a roof top the wind pressure, at times when it is strong, can move the pyramid and the frame out of alignment, if the
f r a m e is not fixed properly. If you fix the frame firmly to the ground then this mishap can be avoided.
A f t e r leaving the triangular sides for two days so that the joints are cured properly you can do the final assemblv. First take the two triangular pieces which will c o m e on the South and North side. T h e s e sides will not have the door. O n e piece is held on South side and lowered inside the frame. M i n i m u m two persons will be required to hold this in position.
Take the opposite side piece which comes on the North side and lower the base inside the frame so that it is flush with the i n s i d e e d g e of the f r a m e . I n c l i n e both pieces towards each other so that they meet at the apex. At this point both pieces are to be held manually.
Next take the South facing triangle which again will not have the door. Insert inside the f r a m e as before so that it m e e t s the a p e x at the same p o i n t w h e r e the other two triangle pieces are already in contact. You will observe one side of this f r a m e will slide in one triangle and the other edge will slide on the side of the opposite triangle. Hold the three triangles a n d using brass screws fix the triangles to each other. Sufficient screws can be used so that the sheets are held firm.
Take the last p i e c e with the d o o r a n d fix it on the North side again with screws. After all the screws are in position use a s u i t a b l e a d h e s i v e on all joints where the triangles meet. After allowing a day for adhesive to set give a d o u b l e coat of any whether proof paint both on inside and outside. Finish with another white coat of whitecement both inside and outside.
Your pyramid is now ready. You can use it tor relaxation, meditation, studv etc. You need not worry about ventilation as the bottom is a b o u t 2" f r o m the s u r f a c e w h i c h a l l o w s sufficient air to enter.
LIGHTING
It is not advisable to use electric light. T h e best will be an electric portable, rechargeable light which can be kept on a small table inside.
T h e r e is no u p p e r time limit for s p e n d i n g the time inside the pyramid. You can stay as long as you wish. Again no negative effect has been recorded any where by pyramid users. Hence you need not worry on this account. If you want a large pyramid the only problem will be there will be m o r e joints. T h e p r o c e d u r e h o w e v e r r e m a i n s the same.
Discuss your requirement with your carpenter and proceed on the guidelines given above to build the same.
I d o h o p e t h a t t h e i n f o r m a t i o n g i v e n a b o v e is exhaustive enough and you be able to will build a pyramid and enjoy the benefits.
ALIGNMENT
I have e x p l a i n e d a b o u t d i a g o n a l a l i g n m e n t earlier.
Before fixing the p y r a m i d p e r m a n e n t l y use it for a week and feel the atmosphere. Record your observations. Now align the pyramid for face alignment m e t h o d so that each lace looks at one direction. Again use the p y r a m i d for a week and see the difference. Whichever alignment functions best should be finally selected.
o