Pergola build

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Tue Jun 01, 2021 9:10 am

Yes, think that was possibly the mistake, slowly slowly gradually is key.

Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Tue Jun 01, 2021 2:34 pm

As you said a new planer/thicknesser is about £300, I am guessing it is a small portable hobby type? If so, as Chippie said go very gently; about 1/4 mm at a time. My P/T cost 3 grand and it is still not the easiest thing to use accurately especially with long boards.

Do you have a hand-held power plane?
Or just pop down to screwfix and get some 20 or 40 grit sanding belts to speed up the sanding and one of those rubbery/ waxy things to keep the belt from clogging.
This https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-abrasi ... 76mm/16210

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Wed Jun 02, 2021 7:06 pm

So yesterday started crap....the planer thingy was still broke! The rollers that pull the wood through won’t move. So I gave up. Yeah, it’s a portable unit (heavy as feck though).

So bought a cheap planer from screwfix. Used that and then sanded over again and finished today. 3 days wasted!

Some of the wood is cracked and twisting but I’m hoping that will add character

Cant do anything tomorrow so Friday is hopefully when I can finally start building it! Just sketching out the end design for a template and should be off and running on Friday.

Doesn’t help that this week has seen the hottest days of the year! 27 yesterday, hence my desperate sun shielding methods with a tea towel!

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 5:35 pm

Got back to the pergola today.

Cut the front beams to length and tried to do a fancy end on them but we weren’t happy, so to my surprise Deb said to just do the offset 45 degree....result! Not as fancy but easier and I don’t think long term we’ll miss it.

Cut the 45 degree bevels for the side beams and will cut those to length when the other bits are up.

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Chippie · Post by **Chippie** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 5:55 pm

Everything being equal if you work your cuts out at the base then they will be the same when fitted on top

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Fri Jun 04, 2021 7:34 pm

Chippie wrote: ↑Fri Jun 04, 2021 5:55 pm Everything being equal if you work your cuts out at the base then they will be the same when fitted on top

I would hope so.....there was no alcohol involved when levelling the post bases or cutting the posts, so everything should be “reasonably” level. I won’t say perfect (because it’s me doing it) but close enough to be a good job.

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Sat Jun 05, 2021 9:32 pm

PROGRESS!!!!!

Got all 3 posts put up today and by some miracle they were all plumb!

Then attached the two front beams and 1 side beam.

Bloody rain stopped play at that point so the final beam is for tomorrow. Happy to do the rafters after work over a few days, so although I had hoped to be done by Wednesday, it didn’t go as planned.

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Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 1:36 pm

ihadablackdog wrote: ↑Sat Jun 05, 2021 9:32 pm it didn’t go as planned.

In my experience it very rarely does

On a side note; the crack in your render from the lintel above the french doors to the window above doesn't look ideal. Has that been there a while?

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 3:32 pm

Final beam installed and marked out where the rafters are going….11 of them in total!

Crack has been there for ages. You got me worried now.

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Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 5:37 pm

ihadablackdog wrote: ↑Sun Jun 06, 2021 3:32 pm Crack has been there for ages. You got me worried now.

If it isn't getting bigger or wider, then I'm sure it's fine.

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Sun Jun 06, 2021 5:43 pm

Yeah, been there for ages and haven’t noticed it getting worse but I’ll try and find some old photos and see if it’s on them.

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Mon Jun 07, 2021 10:10 pm

Finally started work on the rafters.

2 of 11 measured and cut….will do the rest and then try and notch them to sit properly.

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ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:31 pm

Only 4 more to cut!!!!

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Pondrew · Post by **Pondrew** » Wed Jun 09, 2021 4:48 pm

ihadablackdog wrote: ↑Tue Jun 08, 2021 9:31 pm Only 4 more to cut!!!!

How do you propose to notch the middle rafter at the 90 degree corner? I am struggling to think how to do it TBH

ihadablackdog · Post by **ihadablackdog** » Wed Jun 09, 2021 8:29 pm

I’m going to cut out a diamond shape on that end so that it will look right from inside and outside.

If it goes wrong I can just cut off the bottom bit for that whole end bit, but that would look poor.

No work tonight as it’s raining, but hopefully do more tomorrow, so I’ll take a picture of the pencil lines showing where I want to cut.

Currently working out how much 1x2 I need for the strapping across the top of the rafters to give them a bit extra support from moving. Cancelled it off the sawmill order so having to get pressure treated battons, just hope the colour isn’t too different.

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Pergola build

Pergola build

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Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build

Pergola build