Ahki Tipi Manual

1. Select the 4 thickest poles to create your base quadpod
   • Two of these poles are to be placed 5’ apart from each other, where you want the door entrance to be
   • Two remaining pole are to be spaced evenly, opposite from the doorway
   • Tie these 4 poles together ~ 15” lower than height of your tipi diameter (ex: for a 20’ diameter tipi, tie at 18’9”).
   • Tie a little looser than you’d think. When tipi is raised the tie will tighten. Too tight will snap poles.
2.  Stand up quadpod by walking under the poles. Spread poles to be evenly spaced along the circumference of the tipi
   • Long end of rope will hang down into center of tipi, (we’ll get back to it later)
3. Inserting the rest of the poles:
   • Save 2 longest poles for your smoke flaps
   • Lay each pole around the base approx. 3-4 ft apart
   • Wrap the rope around the cradle every two poles
   • Starting at entryway, stack rest of poles to rest in the cradle at top of tipi. … butt of poles should be placed by bottom of the cover
   • Make sure one extra pole space is directly opposite door entry (between poles from 1b); this is called your “lift pole”
4. Unpack tipi cover:
   • On a dry flat surface, take tipi out of shipping bag.
     • Stand 20’ away from rear poles of tipi. Leave top of canvas here and roll back towards your rear poles
     • base of tipi has a double stitched center loop strap. Make sure this is centered directly opposite doorway opening.
   • Tie your lift pole (from 3e) to the cradle (top) of tipi with a 2’ piece of rope.
   • Unfold cover from both sides exposing the underside (finished side on the ground) keeping tie at top exposed
   • Set the bottom of the lift pole into center loop strap
5. Cover installation:
   •  Have someone hold lift pole in place on ground while you lift top of pole (w/ cover attached) into the open spot opposite doorway into the center of the top cradle
   • much easier if you lift cover separately from lift pole (?)
   • Wrap canvas around frame to front of tipi… now its starting to look like tipi!
6. Install Lace Pins:
   • Starting at top, place lace pins in overlapping holes that hold the front of cover together (? Buttons on a jacket?)
7. Ground Stakes:
   • Stake the bottom out and adjust poles until cover lays tight & stretched. Poles are pushed out/in/over until evenly spaced and snugly fit to cover.
   • troubleshooting will make itself known here…
8. With long end of rope, bring outside cover through smoke flap opening, and walk around tipi three times; lace rope back through same smoke flap opening back inside.
   • if in a high wind area, use a stake to secure long end to ground in center of tipi
9. Smoke Flaps (with your two remaining poles from 3a):
   • Insert each pole into pocket at top of smoke flaps
   • Tie rope through loop straps at bottom of smoke flap to ground & secure with stake
   • Open position: Criss-cross smoke flaps around rear of tipi to extend them out
   • Closed position: wrap poles around towards entrance so that flaps overlap around cradle
10. Attaching Door Flap:
    •  Materials to have on hand:
      • 3 @ ¾” x 4’ wooden dowels
    • Insert dowels into pockets of door flap
    • Tie 6’ length of rope across two straps
    • Loop around bottom lace pin to secure door
    • Bottom straps can be secured if you want, or door can hang freely over entrance

Materials needed:

1. 1-gallon Thompson’s Water Seal
2. 1-pint mineral spirits
3.  Pressure sprayer
   • Must be good quality sprayer; like the one you’d use to fertilize your lawn.
   • Clean sprayer system thoroughly before and after use; hose will clog if not rinsed after use

Note: These measurements are for 16’ tipi, adjust accordingly for larger models

Instructions:

1. Easiest when laid out on flat ground
2. Spray evenly on outside of tipi cover, straps, flaps, etc.
3. Let dry for 6 hours
4. Set tipi upright & allow to dry further overnight

Note: This treatment should last one year even if you leave your tipi up year-round

Painting info:

• Easiest when laid out on flat ground
• Water-based or acrylic paint ONLY. Do not use enamel or oil based paints
• Material is very absorbent and may take several coats to achieve desired effect

Mildew info:

• Most common tipi killer is mildew; it’s very destructive to the cotton canvas cover
• Most often forms when cover is stored damp, but can also develop out in open air
• To kill/stop growth of mildew:
  • Preferably dry tipi in the hot sun
• Additional options:
  • 1 bottle cap of bleach mixed into 16oz. water in spray bottle
  • Lemon, cut in half & rubbed on mildewed areas
  • If possible, leave out in sunlight & open air to dry after treatment