Orlando Deck V

The trim for the posts is cut with this router bit. The trim on the top of the post is 8" tall and the trim on the bottom is 6".













The center of each post has a pressure treated 4x4" beam in the center that has the water line for a mister, a 12 volt line for the low voltage light, and a 110 volt wire for the outlet that will be on the top. The hole in the post is for the eye bolt that will hold the sail in place.







This is the cedar that will wrap around the center post.













The pieces of cedar are glued together and reinforced with biscuits. This machine is a biscuit cutter that will make the half round cut in each piece of wood.











This is the biscuit in one side of the wood. Glue will be applied to the biscuit and the wood that is joined. This makes for a very strong joint.








The fluting for the posts is cut into this piece of wood. I am using a 1/2 inch core bit and a jig that wil cut the flutes in a straight line.

Orlando Deck IV


This is the location of the deck. The spa is already installed, and ready for use.









The sod is removed and the area is ready for framing. I will be using pressure treated 2x6" boards for the framing.









This is my supervisor on the job, Bilioux.









This is a better look at the spa. It is 8 x 14', and almost 4 feet tall.

Orlando Deck III


This is a new version of the layout of the deck. The spa is made by www.swimspamanufacturers.com.










I changed the blade on my bandsaw to a resaw blade, and set it up to cut some 2x6's and 2x8's in half for the trim around the posts.












This is the same scrap of wood cut in half... I will plane the wood to clean it up and I will end up with some 1x6" and 1x8" boards that I will rout and use as trim.








































This is a sample of what the trim will look like. It will go around the five posts, on the top is the 8" trim and on the bottom the 6" trim.












This is a sample of the edge of the deck, there will be a 2x6 around the deck, and the decking will overhang by a bit. The edge wil have the decorative 'ogee' edge.








This is the detail work for the posts. The fluting will be cut in all 4 sides of the posts. The posts will be made up of a pressure treated 4x4 that will be cemented in to the ground for strength. (the posts will eventually hold a shade sail over the deck) The 2x6 cedar boards encase the post.

Orlando Deck II


Anyone seen my workbench? I have unloaded the Red Cedar from my trailer in to my workshop. The smell of Cedar is so nice, I love it. I have to run all of these boards through my planer, and sand them all down. I will round over the edges of each board, and transport them to the site for installation.

Orlando Deck



A client has purchased a large spa (8x14') and over the last few weeks we have designed a deck that will complement the cedar spa and their house. The foundation will be made out of pressure treated wood, but the decking will be red cedar. I am using 2x4's and 2x6's and alternate them to get a very different looking visual affect. The drawing will show the layout of the deck and the placement of the spa, and the layout of the decking boards. Site photo's will follow, as I get this project started...

Oakland Pergola IV


The delivery and installation of the Pergola went well.










I set it up on sawhorses, and slowly raised it in place. Then attached it to the wall, and installed the two front posts in a concrete footer.









Here is a before view of the house,












...and this is the house with the Pergola installed. A great place to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning!

Oakland Pergola III


After much sanding the pieces are ready for assembly. The black squares make sure that the pieces are perfectly square when they are attached.









The cross members are attached. The screw holes will be filled in with a matching Red Cedar plug that I cut out of a scrap piece of wood.








Here is a view of the Pergola after all of the pieces are assembled. The far side by the truck will be attached to the house, and the closest part to the camera will be supported by two 4x4" posts.











The Pergola is completely stained with a clear Australian Timber Oil, to protect the wood and give it the natural look. The small slats need to be installed across the top, to give the desired shade effect, and then the Pergola can be installed!