E.  Install the remaining rafters.  If the difference in your longest measurement across the pool to the shortest measurement is less than two (2") you will not have to adjust any rafter lengths.  With one person steadying the two rafters, the other person places one rafter set on the next longest measurement on one side.  Then places one rafter set on the opposite side of that same measurement.  With four rafters set in place, the frame will now stay steady.  If you do have to adjust rafters go to Item G.

NOTE:  The rafter does not have to be fully against the center ring of the spider to hold.
F.  Finish installing all rafter sets.  See Figure 10

Then go on to STEP 4:  INSTALLING THE VINYL DOME
G.  If the difference in your longest measurement cross the pool to the shortest measurement is more than two (2") you will have to adjust rafter lengths.  To trim accurately, you must figure the difference between the longest measurement and the shorter measurement of the rafter sets you are installing.

Remember:  You have already written down all of your measurements and the longest measurement is your standard.  Go to your numbering of the vertical supports.  #1 is the longest, #2 is the next, #3 the next and so on.

Going to the sample measurements given of page 4, we have the following:
#1 measurement is 193 3/4"
#2 is 192 1/2"
#3 is 192 1/4"
#4 is 192"

#5 is 191"
#4 is 192"
#6 is 190 3/4"
#7 is 190 1/2"
 

  • Rafter sets for the vertical supports across the pool at points #2, #3, and #4 are not more that two (2") inches difference from vertical support #1.  They will not have to be trimmed and can be taped together and installed as in Item E above.
  • Rafter sets for the vertical supports across the pool at points #5, #6 and #7 will have to be trimmed down.
  • Subtract the shorter measurement from the longest measurement (point #1) and then divide by 2.  This measurement is the amount of rafter that will be cut off each sides of the rafter set.  See Figure 11.

Example:  Point #5 is 191" 
Point #1 - 193 3/4"
Point #5 - 191"
Difference: 2 3/4" divide by 2 = 1 3/8"

1 3/8" must be cut off the rafter closest to the spider on each side of the rafter set.

Point #1 - 193 3/4"
Point #6 - 190 3/4"
Difference:  3" divide by 2 = 1 1/2" to be cut from the rafter closest to the spider on each side of that rafter set.

Point #1 - 193 3/4"
Point #7 - 190 1/2"
Difference:  3 1/4" divide by 2 = 1 5/8" to be cut from the rafter closest to the spider on each side of that rafter set.

Be sure to deburr inside of the rafters after they have been cut

CAUTION!!!

If you do trim rafters, each rafter MUST BE MARKED with the vertical support number according to your pool measurement diagram on page 5, so that you will remember where each rafter set goes for future installations.
H.  Finish installing all adjusted rafter sets. See Figure 10, page 11.
Then go on to STEP 4:  INSTALLING THE VINYL DOME

STEP 3:  ASSEMBLE AND INSTALL THE RAFTERS (OVAL POOLS)
A.  On the ground next to the pool, assemble all rafters and Ridge Beam.  (Refer to the illustrated parts list for an example of your dome) Most assemblies will resemble the example shown in Figure 12 for the Ridge beam and Side Rafter assemblies.

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