The small model in the right corner is the finished gazebo with the reciprocating rafter system made out of 5” by 8’ round fence posts. The first step was to layout the hexagon and level up the construction site. With that done I could place the 3” by 6” six foot long rim joists on the concrete blocks. This formed the 12’ diameter hexagon. The tricky part about this is that I plan to build the structure UPSIDE DOWN! This will allow for stability and bracing of the 6 main posts during construction.
The plan is to cut the parts and make some assembly in my shed. The Amish sawmill guys did a nice job of cutting the 6 logs into the necessary sizes. Now the next step is to layout and cut the tops of the 8’ tall 6” by 6” posts. Here is the layout and a finished post.
Most of the cutting can be done with the 7” skill saw. With a maximum 2 and 1/2” depth. The final cuts needed to be hand sawn.
One down and 5 more to go.
Keeping the untreated pine timber posts up from the ground will be accomplished by a 1/2” rebar system that will be attached on the bottom end of each post. This requires a 1 and 1/2” diameter hole 10” deep to be drilled.
To keep the hole straight I used a drill guide made out of some scrap PVC pipe.
Using the two sawhorses I made with my new Alaskan sawmill I built a jig that would hold the 6” by 6” at the right height to allow the rim joists to be held and drilled for the 3/4” diameter wooden pegs that will be used.
Another jig was used to guide the drilling of the 3/4” holes. 1/2” diameter threaded rod will be used to assemble the parts for trial assembly.
OK here is the first post and rim joist set up. Lost in the picture is the tricky part of this process. The rim joists need to be set up and drilled in pairs. So the next post had one new rim piece and one drilled placed in the setup. Keep in mind that each assembled piece was unique and needed to be orientated to match holes with the original post it was set up with. Very confusing.
Anyway it worked. Each post had a number and each side of the joint and had an “A” on one and “B” on the other side. Then the ends of each rim joist was marked with the matching post number and A or B side on it’s end.
Next will be setting up the “BRACE” factory. Stay tuned…
