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Part 2 of the grape arbor series involves putting up the structure. Here, I received
a whole new appreciation for pipe fitting. I used a framing square and a
flexible welding ruler to lay out the angles so they could be cut with an acetylene
torch and then cleaned up with a power hacksaw.
I cleaned up all the steel with an electric hand grinder with a flapper
sanding disk (60-grit). After some abrasive cleaning and wiping down the dust
film, the pipes were coated with cold galvanizing. The flat I used before was
much better than the silver/shiny, large flaked version used here.
Warning: Do not inhale zinc dust
or fumes. The poisoning effects are additive and permanent, with no known cure.
My round pipe sections were a maximum of 24' long. For my 29+ lengths, I
used some smaller thin-walled pipe for an insert sleeve for a strait, finished
section.
Because the back had a 3' off-center peek, the back posts and beam were laid
out on the ground, tacked, adjusted, and welded where easily reached. They
stood up into the pockets in the foundations.
The welds that were down are now welded.
The post saddles were cut and fitted for the front beam, and the posts
placed in their respective pockets. The 2 center door posts in front are
5" round pipe and have 4" square pockets. The corners of the 4"
square tubing just fit on the end of the round post pipes.
The post sits on the concrete. The fit was tight for the 4" square
ends. Good thing the knock-out plugs in the concrete for the posts were plumbed
true and square!
The angles were estimated for the corners and cut before the main beams were
placed on the posts.
The oriented strand board (OSB) was placed on the slab to keep the welding
splatter from making rust stains and burn marks. My old buzz box Lincoln welder has earned
its keep many times over.
Also, brake-and-parts cleaner does a fair job of cleaning off the welding
smoke in hard-to-reach places for painting preparation. These are places where
a wire brush could not reach.
Part 3 of the Grape Arbor will finish the erection phase. Click
here if you missed Part 1.
Editor's Note: CR4
would like to thank U V for contributing this blog series.
Got a DIY project of
your own? Send Moose a
message to find out if you have what it takes to become a blogger!
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