Shade House Build

[Ferns Daddy]

I want one, sounds like its going to be nice.

[GardenTheater]

Looking forward to seeing the progress and especially the orchids.

[AussieVanda]

Okay, uprights completed. I'll post pictures later but this what I used. 10 of m10x150 galv cup head bolts per upright in pairs. These i paired with 10mm hex nut and washer, also galv. For the bolt holes I used a 10x200 drill bit and on the one side I drilled out a 24mm partial hole using a 24mm quickbor. This is to conceal the nut and to prevent cutting oneself against the tag end of the thread. The tag ends were trimmed up with a reciprocating saw. Very handy! I'm now at a standstill as I have to wait for some decent weather before I do some cementing of the posts into the ground. (Monsoon trough has arrived. )

[Discus]

The new power tools are almost as good as the DIY project itself.

I moved house at the end of November from a flat into a house with a garden, so there is now a greenhouse sitting in my garage waiting for me to find the time to prepare the ground and put it up. The orchids are currently in temporary accommodation alongside the garage wall.

[nikkik]

Awesome! I can't wait to see the progress and final product.

[AussieVanda]

Dooh, here are the photo's that I promised last month!!!

The weather still very unkind but uprights are now firmly in the ground waiting for me to start the roof top construction. I'll update tomorrow night.

The blue crates in one of the photo's are old milk crates. I don't own a trestle or saw horse so they are the next best thing.

[AussieVanda]

Okay.

First thing i did next was run a continuous string line across the centres of the holes which i then marked off with yellow marking paint. This allowed me to drop the posts in their approximate correct position and as my posts are flattened, helped eliminate twisting and keep the correct line of sight.

I then started at one end and mixed 3 bags of post-crete. This went into number one hole and was then further aligned using a spirit level and string line. It was then stabilised with an old cut off bit of wood and an F-Clamp.

I then went to the other end and followed the same process and then finally the centre post. The centre post is the most crucial for getting correct, use a string line to make sure it sits perfectly in line with the 2 outside posts, otherwise you'll end up with a big bow in the roof

I will probably cap off the holes in the near future with more cement to deter water pooling at the base of the posts.

Anyway, pictures attached (please ignore the disgusting weeds!)

[AussieVanda]

Getting ready to install the main beam across the top.

I am working from one end across. Measure down the total depth of your beam and mark it off (allow a centimetre or 2 extra for any variance in your ground levels which may throw out your overall height of the uprights)

Use a string line and a string line level (pictured) to make sure you stay true to mark. Pencil it off and check to make sure that the depth of your beam will stay inside the top edge of your uprights. if it's going to be too far out you may need to drop your string line a a further centimetre or 2 to make sure it fits.

[Discus]

String lines are really handy things. I used some very thick, high visibility nylon fishing monofilament as I couldn't find the building kind in town. The levels are really cheap!

[AussieVanda]

Alright, so then i have set up rest blocks on the posts as pictured. I have lined them up against the pencil marks, double checked them with a spirit level and tacked them on with a nail gun.

I have done this as, despite being as strong and as handsome as I am, I simply cannot do it all and I need to hold it all in position before I start drilling bolt holes.

I have then clamped it all off with F clamps and then located the centre mark for drilling.

To drill I used a 12mm x 270mm auger.

I then slid in a 12m x 240mm bolt with washer and nut and tightened it all up.

I then trimmed up the ends leaving a 500mm over-hang and did the usual corner cut and finally knocked the rest blocks off the uprights. Yes, the Tonka truck in the background is optional

I will take a break for a few days now as another cyclone is forecast. Hopefully it'll go away!! I may do some cutting for the roof pieces though.