Woodworking for the Garden E-Book

Alan Bridgewater

• Herausgeber: Creative Homeowner
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2021

Seitenzahl: 138

Beschreibung

Wood is the ideal material for creating fabulous garden features, from trellises and planters to decking, fences, chairs, benches, tables, sheds, pergolas and more. Whatever the size or style of your garden, this book will provide a wealth of inspiring ideas for enhancing your outdoor space. Woodworking for the Garden offers 16 stylish, functional projects for making the most of your yard or garden. Each project includes easy to follow step-by-step instructions, color photographs, clear construction diagrams, and materials lists. Authors and renowned DIY experts Alan and Gill Bridgewater also provide comprehensive advice on cutting and preparing wood, fixing joints, finishing and maintaining outdoor wooden structures.

Leseprobe

WOODWORKING

FOR THE GARDEN

Illustrations by Gill Bridgewater. All photos are by AG&G Books and Ian Parsons, except for the following, from Shutterstock.com: Abimages: 43 (top); Artazum: 32 (top); donatas1205: 19 (sledgehammer); Elena Koulik: 31 (top); Gajus: 49 (top); Garsya: 19 (paintbrush); Gemenacom: 15 (level); gresei: 14 (protractor); iMoved Studio: 25 (top); Joe Stanford: 17 (gauge); Jonathan Vasata: 15 (tape measure); Ketrin_Ti: 44 (top); Kucher Serhii: 18 (drill bit); LI CHAOSHU: 37; Mikael Broms: 39 (top); Nanisimova: 40 (top); nuwatphoto: 19 (knife); OlegSam: 16 (jigsaw), 19 (sander); Ozgur Coskun: 47 (top); Paket: 18 (hammer); Peter Horrox: 18 (screwdriver); pryzmat: 15 (miter saw); sommai damrongpanich: 19 (wrench); Sponner: 45 (top); stuar: 11 & 17 (saw); Svineyard: 41 (top); Tatyana Vyc: 19 (clamp); Titipong Chumsung: 11 & 14 (square); Toa55: 11 (hands); vlabo: 19 (snips); yevtushenko serhii: 11 (wood).

Woodworking for the Garden (ISBN 978-1-58011-830-9) is a revised edition of Woodwork for the Garden (ISBN 978-1-84773-166-1).

Copyright © 2019 IMM Lifestyle Books

This book may not be reproduced, either in part or in its entirety, in any form, by any means, without written permission from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts for purposes of radio, television, or published review. All rights, including the right of translation, are reserved. Note: Be sure to familiarize yourself with manufacturer’s instructions for tools, equipment, and materials before beginning a project. Although all possible measures have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the material presented, neither the author nor the publisher is liable in case of misinterpretation of directions, misapplication, or typographical error.

Creative Homeowner® is a registered trademark of New Design Originals Corporation.

Woodworking for the Garden

Vice President-Content: Christopher Reggio

Editor: Anthony Regolino

Designer: Christopher Morrison

Illustrator: Gill Bridgewater

Photography: AG&G Books and Ian Parsons

Indexer: Jay Kreider

Print ISBN 978-1-58011-830-9

eISBN 978-1-60765-659-3

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Bridgewater, Alan, author. | Bridgewater, Gill, author.

Title: Woodworking for the garden.

Description: Revised edition. | Mount Joy : Creative Homeowner, 2019. | By the husband-and-wife team of Alan and Gill Bridgewater. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2018053743 (print) | LCCN 2018054273 (ebook) | ISBN 9781607656593 | ISBN 9781580118309 (softcover : alk. paper)

Subjects: LCSH: Woodwork. | Garden structures--Design and construction. | Garden ornaments and furniture--Design and construction. | Outdoor furniture. | Furniture making.

Classification: LCC TT197.5.O9 (ebook) | LCC TT197.5.O9 W76 2019 (print) | DDC 684.1/8--dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018053743

We are always looking for talented authors. To submit an idea, please send a brief inquiry to [email protected].

Creative Homeowner®, www.creativehomeowner.com, is an imprint of New Design Originals Corporation and distributed exclusively in North America by Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Inc., 800-457-9112, 903 Square Street, Mount Joy, PA 17552, and in the United Kingdom by Grantham Book Service, Trent Road, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 7XQ.

Contents

Introduction

Part 1: Techniques

Designing and Planning

Tools

Materials

Working with Wood

Fences and Gates

Benches, Chairs, and Decking

Sheds, Houses, and Arbors

Pergolas, Trellises, and Planters

Finishing

Maintenance

Part 2: Projects

Tiered Patio Planter

Folding Screen

Picket Fence

Picket Gate

Inspirations: Decoratve Gates

Multi-Shaped Decking

Decorative Picnic Table

Classic Arbor

Wheeled Bench

Inspirations: Benches and Chairs

Romantic Arch

Corner Patio Planter

Potting Table

Rabbit Ark

Inspirations: Pergolas

Classic Pergola

Victorian Toolshed

Treehouse

Children’s Playhouse

Glossary

About the Authors

Introduction

One fine summer’s day, Gill and I were busy in the workshop enjoying our woodwork, but at the same time desperately wishing that we could be outside in the garden soaking up the sun. Then we realized that we could have the best of both worlds: We could actually be outside building really adventurous woodworking projects for the garden. We put down our tools and wandered around the garden, considering the possibilities. I immediately thought about constructing a picnic table I had been dreaming about, and Gill had a Victorian toolshed in her sights. Better still, garden woodwork would be able to make use of relatively low-cost, rough-sawn wood straight from the sawmill, and we would only require basic tools.

The ambition of this book is to share with you all the delights of working with wood to build beautiful creations for the garden. Each project follows the steps of gathering together tools and materials, considering the design, and building. We describe how the component parts are cut and fitted; colorwash illustrations show how the structures are built; and photographs demonstrate how best to achieve the step-by-step procedures. In fact, we take you through all the stages of designing, making, and finishing.

So, if you like the idea of spending time out in the garden doing woodwork, which will add to the interest and functionality of your garden, you will get a lot of enjoyment from this book. You may have ambitions to sit on your very own bench to have a coffee, to eat lunch on a picnic table, or to nestle under a romantic arch. You may long for an arbor where you can canoodle with your partner, or perhaps your children have always nagged you for a playhouse. Try one or two projects during the summer, then dream about all the garden woodwork that you are going to build next year!

Best of luck!

Health and Safety

Many woodworking procedures are potentially dangerous, so before starting work on the projects, check through the following list:

• Make sure that you are fit and strong enough for the task ahead. If you have doubts, ask your doctor for specific advice.

• When you are building sheds, arbors, pergolas, and other large structures, you will need to ask others to help you assemble the components toward the end of the project.

• When operating power tools, read the safety instructions supplied with the tool, and wear the appropriate protective gear. A dust mask and pair of goggles are usually adequate, and if the machine is noisy, wear ear defenders.

• Never operate electric tools, such as a drill or saw, if you are overtired.

• Use power saws extremely carefully. Keep your fingers well away from the blade, and use a stick or scrap wood for holding or pushing through short lengths of wood.

Designing and Planning

Whatever the size of your garden or its situation, a well-thought-out woodworking project will undoubtedly make it a more exciting and dynamic place. You don’t have to have loads of experience as a woodworker in order to follow our projects successfully: If you have the correct tools, choose your wood with care, and spend time carefully designing and planning the whole exercise, you will be sure to get good results.

Choosing a Suitable Project

When you have decided what you’d like to build, the next step is to consider the project in terms of the site you have in mind. Is your chosen project perhaps too large for the site? Will you have to move a drain? Will the project upset the way that you and the family currently use the garden?

Are there any narrow gateways that might restrict access when installing a project that you have built away from its eventual site? Are there any shrubs that need to be cut back to allow the project to be put in position? Would it be a good idea to mend and paint your fences before you build a shed? Are there any local restrictions related to the building of sheds?

So, before going ahead and enjoying the building experience, our advice is to choose your projects with great care and to involve your family (and neighbors if the projects could conceivably affect them; for example, the height of your planned structure may obstruct their views) in the decision-making.

Planning the Project

Whatever your choice of project, whether it is the Rabbit Ark (see here) or the Classic Pergola (see here), it is vital to plan it out to the last detail, otherwise you can be caught with unforseen difficulties. If you are thinking about building a large, fixed project such as the Victorian Toolshed (see here), draw a plan of your garden complete with the house, paths, flowerbeds, trees, and hedges. Mark in the trajectory of the sun as it arcs across the garden. Will the new shed cast shadows that will affect the flowerbeds? Will it necessitate the building of a new path so the shed can be reached easily from the house?

Keep asking yourself questions. If you have any doubts about how the shed will look when it has been erected, it’s a good idea to peg out the site and build a large batten, board, and string framework to the size of the shed. When the mock-up is in position, walk around it and consider how it relates to the rest of the garden. Live with it for a few days and see if it affects your family’s movement around the garden.

First Considerations

• Do you have a local sawmill where you can buy rough-sawn, pretreated wood suitable for building sheds, fences, and gates?

• Will the sawmill deliver small quantities of wood, or are you going to fetch it yourself? Do you have a trailer or a suitable rack on the roof of your car?

• Do children and pets use your garden, and if so, is their presence going to affect your choice of project?

• Where are you going to do the woodwork? Are you going to work close to the house, perhaps on a patio or in a yard, or are you going to work on the lawn?

• If you are building a structure such as a shed or arbor, are you going to set it up on levelled blocks or bricks, or are you going to lay a concrete slab?

• Are your neighbors going to be concerned about the siting of a project? If this is a possibility, it’s a good idea to involve them at the planning stage.

• Are you going to need help with lifting? If you plan to build the Victorian Toolshed (see here), will you do the construction close to the site, or will you get help to move the panels once they have been built?

Before you dig deep holes or bang in spiked metal post supports (for a fence, gate, or pergola), it is important to avoid potential problems by studying site plans, testing the ground, or making trial holes. If you suspect that there might be an underground structure such as a water main, drain, or power supply, start by gently and carefully probing the ground with a metal rod. If it slides into the ground easily, the site is clear, but if it meets an obstruction, you must consider digging a trial hole to see what the problem is, or opt to move the project anyway.

Buying the Right Tools and Materials

The best strategy, when building up a tool collection, is to get yourself a basic kit, and then buy specialist tools if the need arises.

When sourcing your materials, on no account consider using pre-packed, planed wood from the local DIY store. Not only would it treble your costs, but its overly smooth finish makes it unsuitable for the projects in this book. You must order rough-sawn wood from a local sawmill. Shop around for the best price and then order in bulk. When you go to the sawmill, ask to see their waste pile, just in case there is a bargain to be had. For example, with the feather-edged boarding, we were able to cut costs dramatically by using wood from a heap of random lengths. When selecting your wood, make sure that the finish is suitable. For instance, you must not use pressure-treated wood for the playhouse because of the toxic nature of some preservatives.

WOODWORK DESIGNS FOR THE GARDEN

Tools

Always buy tools of the highest quality that you can afford. However, successful garden woodwork relies on controlling the wood while it is worked. To do this, you need a large space such as the lawn, two portable workbenches, and a sheet of plywood for setting out the component parts.

TOOLS FOR MEASURING AND MARKING

Measuring rule

Measuring

You need two measuring tools: a wood or metal measuring rule for sizing and marking joints, and a flexible tape measure for setting out the site plan for large projects (such as the Victorian Toolshed here) and for measuring long lengths of wood. We use a 26-foot (8-meter) tape for all the projects. If you can afford to spend a little extra, it’s a good idea to use a fiberglass tape for trailing about the garden, because it is more resilient to the wear and tear of working on wet grass and with damp wood. Always wipe your measuring tool after use and put it away clean and dry.

Marking Out

The tools for this are: a square for marking out right angles, a bevel gauge for setting out approximate angles, an engineer’s protractor for setting out precise angles, a compass for drawing circles, and a clutch of good-quality carpenter’s pencils for drawing on the wood. The flat lead in a carpenter’s pencil not only keeps its point longer, but the rectangular section of the lead resists breaking—a really good idea when working on rough-sawn wood. Before you put your tools away, wipe them over with thin oil in order to protect them against dampness and corrosion. We use olive oil, but alternatively you could use very thin engine or bicycle oil. On no account use old engine oil.

Carpenter’s pencil

Bevel gauge

Square

Compass

Engineer’s protractor

Spirit level

Leveling

For a project such as a shed, where the ground must be level, you require three tools: a flexible tape measure for setting out the site, a spade for digging away the earth, and a level for checking vertical and horizontal levels. If you are going to get involved in building a concrete slab, you will also need a shovel and a garden rake.

Tape measure

TOOLS FOR CUTTING WOOD

Sawing to Size

Assuming that you purchase all your wood ready-sawn to a section size (sawn to the desired width and thickness), all you really need for the projects is a top-quality, hard-toothed, crosscut saw. Buy one that is described as “trade quality,” and do not attempt to save money by opting for a bargain or second-hand saw. We purchased ours directly from the sawmill. Sawmill wood is generally green, wet, sappy, and sometimes dirty, so it is best to get two crosscut saws—use one for cutting wood to length and keep the other for cutting joints. To help ensure that the saw blades last, remove sticky sap with mineral spirits at the end of a day’s work, and wipe the blade with olive oil or thin machine oil.

Compound miter saw

Sawing Angles

While you can certainly make all straight and angled cuts with the crosscut saw already described, you can make life much easier—especially when cutting repeat angles—by obtaining an electric compound miter saw. Not long ago, such saws were quite expensive, but now they are within reach for most people.

To use a compound miter saw, set it on a level surface, either on a workboard or clamped in the jaws of a portable workbench. Adjust the blade to the desired angle, position the workpiece against the backstop, and then switch on the power and lower the blade to make the cut. Compound miter saws are great tools for tasks such as cutting the tops of the pickets in the Picket Fence project (see here). When using a power tool such as this, always read the manufacturer’s literature, follow all the safety rules, and work with a helper who’s close at hand.

Caution

The electric compound miter saw is potentially an extremely dangerous tool. Never leave it unattended. If you have children, pull out the plug and lock the blade in the “down" position when not in use.

Sawing Curves