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| by:
Lawrence Winterburn
photos: Roger Yip
illustration: Len Churchill |
GARDEN TRELLIS (part 3) |
Up
the Ladder
The obelisk ladder comes next. This is the series of 3/4"
x 3/4" parts that divides each face of the obelisk to make
it look attractive and add strength. Cut four ladder rungs each
at 12 1/4", 9 3/4" and 7 1/2" lengths. You’ll
also need four ladder uprights at 26 1/4". Batch-cut all
similar parts at the same time so they’re
consistent.
Set the corner post frame upright
on a flat surface and fasten all four of the lowest (long) ladder
rungs in place before joining the frame to the box. You’ll
find a pair of 12"-long props very helpful for ensuring
that the bottom course of ladder rungs are all the same height.
Fastening these rungs now helps square the frame. Secure them
with an 18-gauge brad nailer first, then drill pilot holes and
fasten the rungs permanently with a single #8 x 1 1/2"
screw per joint.
Cut your two temporary vertical
spacers down to 10 3/4" long, then use them to hold up
the second course of ladder rungs as the props sit on the long
rungs you just installed. Repeat the process for the top course
of rungs, then add one ladder upright to the inside middle of
each obelisk face.
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CLICK
ABOVE FOR
ILLUSTRATION |
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The
capital comes next. It’s the crown of the obelisk, and
you can make it easily out of scrap wood if you follow a couple
of tricks. The first has to do with the capital tip. It’s
short and steeply angled, so to keep things safe, start with
a piece of 2x2 that’s about 16" long to act as a
handle. This gives you something to hang on to as you cut the
four angles that form the tip. If you’re experienced with
a chopsaw, four quick cuts will get the job done. If not, then
consider using a handsaw or jigsaw. When the tapered cuts are
made, crosscut the obelisk tip to its six-inch final dimension.
The
capital base is just a piece of 5/4 decking with the rounded
edges sawn off to give an overall size of 5" x 5".
Complete the capital assembly by adding the capital trim around
the underside of the base, like small lengths of crown moulding.
Fasten the completed capital to the obelisk frame by nailing
through the trim, then stain or paint the project with 100 per
cent acrylic exterior latex paint.
As you’ll soon discover,
it’s best to build garden projects like these in sets.
It’s faster, which is great since all your friends and
neighbours will want you to build one for them. |
| You
Will Need |
| Bottom Box Section |
Size |
Qty. |
| Long box frame members |
1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
x 13 3/8" |
4 |
| Short box frame members |
1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
x 10 3/8" |
4 |
| Cladding boards |
3/4" x 5 1/2"
x 14 1/2" |
12 |
| Corner caps |
1 1/2" x 11/2"
x 14 1/2" |
4 |
| Top and bottom rails |
3/4" x 2 1/2"
x 13 1/2"* |
8 |
| Top trim |
1 1/2" x 4"
x 18" |
4 |
| Obelisk Frame |
| Corner posts |
1" x 1 3/4"
x 69 1/2" |
4 |
| Long ladder rungs |
3/4" x 3/4"
x 12 1/4" |
4 |
| Medium ladder rungs |
3/4" x 3/4"
x 9 3/4" |
4 |
| Short ladder rungs |
3/4" x 3/4"
x 7 1/2" |
4 |
| Ladder uprights |
3/4" x 3/4"
x 26 1/4" |
4 |
| Capital tip |
1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
x 8" |
1 |
| Capital base |
1" x 5" x 5" |
1 |
| Capital trim |
3/4" x 1" x
12"** |
1 |
*larger
than necessary. Trim to fit during assembly
**total length required.
Cut to fit |
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PART 1
| PART 2 | PART
3 |
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