thanks Dale, I forgot to answer that question about the carriage bolt. I also use a washer behind the nut and most of the carriage bolts I use are quarter inch. . thanks.Lee
On Sun, May 18, 2008 at 02:49:39PM -0400, Dale Leavens wrote: > A carriage bolt has a rounded domed head with a four sided nut like structure > just beneath the head which looks something like a mushroom cap. The nut like > structure is intended to bite into the surface of the wood when the nut on > the far end is tightened down. The top leaves a nice finish and the under > side is intended to hold the bolt while the nut is tightened on the far end. > > One disadvantage to free standing benches for outdoor use is that their > relatively narrow depth of base makes them somewhat unsteady unless the > ground they are on is very flat. Just something to consider. A bench with a > back is that much wider and if well constructed gives another couple of > inches of depth of base and that bit more stability. > > What ever the case do have fun. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Robert Riddle > To: [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 3:32 PM > Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] projects upcoming > > > I like the separate benches because they can be used in other places > besides the picnic table, say grouped around the outdoor firepit we intend to > get. Also, and this is just me, I hate banging my knees on the cross braces > lol. So, basically, what I intend to do is do like Lee says and feel up a few > picnic tables to get some construction ideas. What does a carriage bolt look > like? > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Dale Leavens > To: [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 11:12 AM > Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] projects upcoming > > Hi, > > It turns out that cutting angles of 30 degrees on the ends of the legs of > the table which creates a 60 degree angle at the ground and at the table top > is about correct. If you use a 2 by 4 top cross brace also cut at 30 degrees > at each end short length down and line up the legs so that the outer edge > crosses the lower edge of the top brace at the end of that angle you should > have the spacing about right to support the table with the benches added. > > It isn't a rule but it does make the set-up easier. > > Remember that a good standard table height is 30 inches and seat height 16 > to 18 inches. When building the end support frames don't forget to deduct the > thickness of your bench and table planks before assembly. > > I also like to slope a support bracket from the lower cross member, the one > which supports the benches up toward the center of the table top to keep the > legs braced from racking. It can be helpful to have that brace end at another > member across the table top planks which will also help keep them straight > along their length and reduce cupping or crowning. > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Lee A. Stone > To: [email protected] > Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 12:42 PM > Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] projects upcoming > > Robert, If I may suggest you feel up a few pinic tables to see the > difference in working to assemble. my opinion would be with the a > farme unit with attached bench's. a couple of reasons and also you > need not worry about a bench tipping over. as for the top use a > standard length 8 foot 2 by 6 and space them with nails in between > the boards until fastened down with carriage bolts, quarter inch are > fine. . I've built 2 of these, one 8 foot long and the last is 12 fet > long but leaving the bench's at 8 feet and leaving the ends open for two > friends in wheelchairs to roll under easy. another important thing to do > when you are all done is borrow or buy or rent a power sander and round > offf all the corners.. Oh the nails I mentioned for spacers, actually I > used the carriage bolts as spacers until all were fastened down with > two nails to hold it in place and then the carriage bolts making > assembly easy as pie.. I got my angle for the legs from a neighbors > table by just making a nail marking on my first `2 by 6. Lee > > On Sat, > May 17, > 2008 at 03:32:28PM -0600, Robert Riddle wrote: > > Well I have a couple of projects coming up. A deck railing and a picnic > table. > > Our deck is funny. We've got two doors on it, with steps going off each > door and their own rail. I want to put a rail across the middle section of > the deck parallel to the house and attach it to the existing rail posts > coming out of the ground. I think I can get away with just attaching > ballisters to the deck framework and not have to sink additional posts into > the ground. I'm gonna have to get everything cut at the store though, as I > don't have any power tools on hand, so this is gonna be interesting. > > Next up is building a picnic table. I'm debating between building a > typical A frame style table, with the bench built in, or a long tressle style > with detachable benches. Seems to me the tressle style would be simpler > becaus it's basically just a board on 4 legs. I'm no expert at woodworking so > I think the simpler approach would be best. > > Anyway that's what's on my plate over the next month or so, along with a > few simple tasks. Feel free to offer any suggestions that might make my life > easier lol. > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > -- > Bullwinkle: You just leave that to my pal. He's the brains of the outfit. > General: What does that make YOU? > Bullwinkle: What else? An executive. > -- Jay Ward > Do you Jabber? I do. My JID is: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > ---------------------------------------------------------- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1448 - Release Date: 5/16/2008 > 7:42 PM > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.524 / Virus Database: 269.23.16/1448 - Release Date: 5/16/2008 > 7:42 PM > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > -- Gardeners do it in raised beds. Do you Jabber? I do. My JID is: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
