Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Woodworking Plans and Photos (alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking) - Show off or just share photos of your hard work. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
As I progress (slowly) on the design of the pergola I'm putting in my
back yard, and as I get to the point where I'm stacking the criss-crossing rafters together, the thought crossed my mind that instead of toe-nailing them together or driving screws down at an angle (or using those ugly galvanized metal brackets), couldn't I drill 3/4" holes and use dowels and glue to fasten them together? Dumb idea? If not, what kind of glue would you use? Titebond III? I'm using untreated Western Red Cedar, BTW. -- See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad! To reply, eat the taco. |
#2
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
I used a router to run a groove the length of the top of the cross stringers
wide enough to take a cut down 2 x 4. I set the 2 x 4 in it and then cut dado's in the cross pieces. I still put scres in but went in through the 2 x 4 and into the dado. "Steve Turner" wrote in message ... As I progress (slowly) on the design of the pergola I'm putting in my back yard, and as I get to the point where I'm stacking the criss-crossing rafters together, the thought crossed my mind that instead of toe-nailing them together or driving screws down at an angle (or using those ugly galvanized metal brackets), couldn't I drill 3/4" holes and use dowels and glue to fasten them together? Dumb idea? If not, what kind of glue would you use? Titebond III? I'm using untreated Western Red Cedar, BTW. -- See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad! To reply, eat the taco. |
#3
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
Jay R wrote:
I used a router to run a groove the length of the top of the cross stringers wide enough to take a cut down 2 x 4. I set the 2 x 4 in it and then cut dado's in the cross pieces. I still put scres in but went in through the 2 x 4 and into the dado. Yes, I would like to cut interlocking notches (dadoes) in the joists and rafters (and stringers, or whatever you call them in this context), and that would certainly make the whole thing much stronger, but I'm trying to eek as much height out of the structure as I can and I'm limited by the height of my vertical posts. I'm thinking dowels would make the structure stronger than if everything were toe-nailed. I also think it would also be spiffy to build the whole thing without using any metal. -- See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad! To reply, eat the taco. |
#4
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
Steve Turner wrote:
Jay R wrote: I used a router to run a groove the length of the top of the cross stringers wide enough to take a cut down 2 x 4. I set the 2 x 4 in it and then cut dado's in the cross pieces. I still put scres in but went in through the 2 x 4 and into the dado. Yes, I would like to cut interlocking notches (dadoes) in the joists and rafters (and stringers, or whatever you call them in this context), and that would certainly make the whole thing much stronger, but I'm trying to eek as much height out of the structure as I can and I'm limited by the height of my vertical posts. I'm thinking dowels would make the structure stronger than if everything were toe-nailed. I also think it would also be spiffy to build the whole thing without using any metal. What are those stepped dowels I've seen. Bet that would be as strong as a %#^@ brickhouse. -- "You can lead them to LINUX but you can't make them THINK" Running Mandriva release 2008.0 free-i586 using KDE on i586 |
#5
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
evodawg wrote:
Steve Turner wrote: Jay R wrote: I used a router to run a groove the length of the top of the cross stringers wide enough to take a cut down 2 x 4. I set the 2 x 4 in it and then cut dado's in the cross pieces. I still put scres in but went in through the 2 x 4 and into the dado. Yes, I would like to cut interlocking notches (dadoes) in the joists and rafters (and stringers, or whatever you call them in this context), and that would certainly make the whole thing much stronger, but I'm trying to eek as much height out of the structure as I can and I'm limited by the height of my vertical posts. I'm thinking dowels would make the structure stronger than if everything were toe-nailed. I also think it would also be spiffy to build the whole thing without using any metal. What are those stepped dowels I've seen. Bet that would be as strong as a %#^@ brickhouse. Looks like it, yeah: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=10483 If only they made them in sizes big enough to go down through a 2x4 standing on edge into a 2x8... -- Free bad advice available here. To reply, eat the taco. |
#6
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
Steve Turner wrote:
evodawg wrote: Steve Turner wrote: Jay R wrote: I used a router to run a groove the length of the top of the cross stringers wide enough to take a cut down 2 x 4. I set the 2 x 4 in it and then cut dado's in the cross pieces. I still put scres in but went in through the 2 x 4 and into the dado. Yes, I would like to cut interlocking notches (dadoes) in the joists and rafters (and stringers, or whatever you call them in this context), and that would certainly make the whole thing much stronger, but I'm trying to eek as much height out of the structure as I can and I'm limited by the height of my vertical posts. I'm thinking dowels would make the structure stronger than if everything were toe-nailed. I also think it would also be spiffy to build the whole thing without using any metal. What are those stepped dowels I've seen. Bet that would be as strong as a %#^@ brickhouse. Looks like it, yeah: http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?Offerings_ID=10483 If only they made them in sizes big enough to go down through a 2x4 standing on edge into a 2x8... Could you use a toe nail technique and flush cut them? -- "You can lead them to LINUX but you can't make them THINK" Running Mandriva release 2008.0 free-i586 using KDE on i586 |
#7
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
What kind of climate are you in?
I am in Philly and it is too wet here to go wood only without major sealing. If you are going for height, consider a ball or wheel in the post below the stringers. "Steve Turner" wrote in message ... Jay R wrote: I used a router to run a groove the length of the top of the cross stringers wide enough to take a cut down 2 x 4. I set the 2 x 4 in it and then cut dado's in the cross pieces. I still put scres in but went in through the 2 x 4 and into the dado. Yes, I would like to cut interlocking notches (dadoes) in the joists and rafters (and stringers, or whatever you call them in this context), and that would certainly make the whole thing much stronger, but I'm trying to eek as much height out of the structure as I can and I'm limited by the height of my vertical posts. I'm thinking dowels would make the structure stronger than if everything were toe-nailed. I also think it would also be spiffy to build the whole thing without using any metal. -- See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad! To reply, eat the taco. |
#8
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
should work, but keep in mind where water will end up.
After spending way too many years repairing rotted timberframe and other wood structures - anytime you are doing joinery in wood that will be exposed to the weather, think about where the water will darin - or where it will pool. or sit. If you look at old timberframe buildings, most of the joints are angled so that water will drain away fromthe joint - if water does get nito the joint, it will slowly drain out. If you are drilling blind holes to put the dowels in, they will become palces where water can collect. Unless you manage to completely fill the hole with dowel/glue - eventually water willget in ,a nd start rot. The cedar is a good choice - it is pretty rot resistant, but if you are anywhere that gets substantial rain (or worse: freezing weather) I'd at elast think about it... -James "Steve Turner" wrote in message ... As I progress (slowly) on the design of the pergola I'm putting in my back yard, and as I get to the point where I'm stacking the criss-crossing rafters together, the thought crossed my mind that instead of toe-nailing them together or driving screws down at an angle (or using those ugly galvanized metal brackets), couldn't I drill 3/4" holes and use dowels and glue to fasten them together? Dumb idea? If not, what kind of glue would you use? Titebond III? I'm using untreated Western Red Cedar, BTW. -- See Nad. See Nad go. Go Nad! To reply, eat the taco. |
#9
Posted to alt.binaries.pictures.woodworking
|
|||
|
|||
Joining pergola rafters together
Good points; thanks. I'm in Austin so I don't think excess rain will be
too much of an issue. :-) If I use dowels I think I'll also need to be careful about what kind of wood they're made from; White Oak is probably the only suitable wood I'm likely to find in a commercially available dowel, and I don't think the Borgs are going so far as to label their dowels "White Oak" or "Red Oak"... I may have to make my own. jd wrote: should work, but keep in mind where water will end up. After spending way too many years repairing rotted timberframe and other wood structures - anytime you are doing joinery in wood that will be exposed to the weather, think about where the water will darin - or where it will pool. or sit. If you look at old timberframe buildings, most of the joints are angled so that water will drain away fromthe joint - if water does get nito the joint, it will slowly drain out. If you are drilling blind holes to put the dowels in, they will become palces where water can collect. Unless you manage to completely fill the hole with dowel/glue - eventually water willget in ,a nd start rot. The cedar is a good choice - it is pretty rot resistant, but if you are anywhere that gets substantial rain (or worse: freezing weather) I'd at elast think about it... -James "Steve Turner" wrote in message ... As I progress (slowly) on the design of the pergola I'm putting in my back yard, and as I get to the point where I'm stacking the criss-crossing rafters together, the thought crossed my mind that instead of toe-nailing them together or driving screws down at an angle (or using those ugly galvanized metal brackets), couldn't I drill 3/4" holes and use dowels and glue to fasten them together? Dumb idea? If not, what kind of glue would you use? Titebond III? I'm using untreated Western Red Cedar, BTW. -- Free bad advice available here. To reply, eat the taco. |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
12' x 20' pergola | Home Repair | |||
pergola support | Home Repair | |||
Any thoughts on a 20' by 20' Pergola | Woodworking | |||
Building a pergola | UK diy | |||
pergola and lap joints | UK diy |